Texas Drone Laws

Lists approximately 25 lawful uses where drone surveillance restrictions do not apply, including professional research, pipeline inspection, utility operations, real estate marketing with owner consent, law enforcement operations under warrant, agricultural assessment, border security within 25 miles of US border, and public event imagery.

Prohibits using a drone to capture an image of an individual or privately owned real property with the intent to conduct surveillance. Applies unless the flight fits a lawful-use carve-out in § 423.002.

Prohibits possessing, displaying, distributing, or using an image captured in violation of § 423.003.

Prohibits operating a drone at less than 400 feet AGL over critical-infrastructure facilities, which include petroleum refineries, chemical plants, electric power generating stations and substations, water treatment facilities, natural gas facilities, pipelines, telecommunications facilities, and certain animal-feeding operations. Flying at less than 400 feet or allowing a drone to make contact with such facilities is prohibited.

Prohibits operating a drone at less than 400 feet AGL over any sports venue with seating capacity of 30,000 or more, including stadiums, arenas, racetracks, and coliseums. Applies to facilities such as AT&T Stadium (Arlington), NRG Stadium (Houston), Globe Life Field (Arlington), Kyle Field (College Station), and similar venues.

Prohibits operating a drone at less than 400 feet AGL over any correctional facility, detention facility, or critical-infrastructure facility. TDCJ units, county jails, and federal Bureau of Prisons facilities are in scope. Contraband delivery is a common violation.

Prohibits equipping or arming a drone with a weapon, or using a drone to fire a weapon.

Prohibits cities and counties from enacting their own drone regulations, except for drone operations during special events, on municipal property, or when the municipality itself uses drones (with FAA authorization and public hearing).

Establishes civil liability for drone surveillance violations. Property owners may recover civil penalties of $5,000 for each captured image or $10,000 for each disclosed/distributed image, plus actual damages and attorney's fees if disclosed with malice.

Prohibits hunting any wild bird or wild animal from an aircraft or airborne device. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department interprets 'aircraft' to include drones. Using a drone to scout deer, herd wildlife, harass game, or perform post-harvest recovery is prohibited absent an Aerial Management Permit (AMP) and Land Owner Authorization (LOA).

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department requires prior written authorization from TPWD or the park superintendent to launch, land, or operate a drone within state park boundaries. Default is no permit; only Lake Whitney and San Angelo state parks have designated RC aircraft zones. Processing takes several weeks.

Prohibits the use of drones to hunt, drive, capture, take, count, photograph, or otherwise manage wildlife and exotic animals. Exceptions apply only to operators with an official Aerial Management Permit (AMP) and written Land Owner Authorization (LOA). Special exception exists for nighttime feral hog location for lethal control.

Prohibits recording, photographing, or broadcasting a visual image of another person's intimate areas without consent. Applies to drone recordings and feeds.

Prohibits distributing intimate visual material of another person without consent.

Prohibits conduct intended to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass another, including repeated surveillance with a drone that would cause reasonable annoyance or alarm.

Provides civil remedy for non-consensual disclosure of intimate visual material captured by any means, including drones.

Prohibits operation of an unmanned aircraft over a spaceport, creating a criminal offense. Signed into law June 2025, effective September 1, 2025.

Requires certain law enforcement agencies to report their use or operation of unmanned aircraft. Signed into law June 20, 2025, effective immediately.

City of Houston Parks & Recreation - Drone Prohibition

Prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all City of Houston parks without prior Parks & Recreation Department permit.

Harris County Parks - Designated Drone Zones

Permits drone and model aircraft operations only in specifically designated park areas, with aircraft remaining within visual line of sight.

Dallas Film Commission - Commercial Drone Operations

Commercial drone operations on Dallas city property require permit from Office of Special Events or Dallas Film Commission.

Austin Film Commission & Capitol Complex Drone Restrictions

Commercial drone filming on Austin city property requires Austin Film Commission permit. The Texas Capitol Complex is designated as a drone-restricted area for security reasons.

San Antonio Parks & Recreation - Drone Prohibition

Prohibits drone launch and landing in city parks without Parks & Recreation permit.

Fort Worth Parks & Recreation - Drone Authorization Required

Municipal code restricts drone operation in city parks without authorization.