Utah Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Utah maintains a comprehensive and moderately structured drone regulatory framework. The state has one of the most developed UAS statutes in the nation, covering safe operation, weaponization, critical infrastructure protection, and law enforcement oversight. SB 111 preempts all local ordinances, creating uniform statewide rules. The standout feature is Utah's aggressive wildfire drone law with penalties escalating to a second-degree felony if a drone causes a manned aircraft collision—reflecting the state's serious wildfire seasons and incident-driven policy development.
State Drone Laws
Utah Code 72-10-1002Safe Operation of Unmanned Aircraft
Establishes baseline safe operation rules: keep drone in visual line of sight, cannot fly in Class B/C/D airspace without authorization, 400 feet AGL limit (except within 400 feet of a structure), cannot launch from public transit rail platforms, cannot operate over surface critical infrastructure without authorization. Penalty escalation: first violation is written warning (mandatory), second is infraction, third or subsequent is class B misdemeanor.
Utah Code 72-10-902Weaponized Unmanned Aircraft Prohibition
Makes it unlawful to operate a drone equipped with a weapon (firearm or any object capable of causing death, injury, or property damage). Limited exceptions for FAA certificate of authorization holders, state/federal government contracts, and Department of Defense operations.
Utah Code 72-10-903Unmanned Aircraft at Correctional Facilities
Prohibits operating a drone to carry or drop any item to/from a correctional facility (third-degree felony for contraband delivery). Also prohibits operating a drone in a manner that interferes with a facility's operations or security (class B misdemeanor). Amended in 2026 (Chapter 258) to exempt mosquito-abatement district staff acting within their scope of employment.
Utah Code 72-10-802Law Enforcement Use of Unmanned Aircraft Data
Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a search warrant or recognized exception before obtaining, receiving, or using drone-acquired data. Allows limited warrantless use for locating lost/missing persons in areas without reasonable expectation of privacy. Agencies must destroy collected data as soon as reasonably possible and document all drone use in official records. Amended in 2026 (Chapter 118) to refine the privacy exception.
Utah Code 72-10-701Preemption of Local Drone Ordinances
Preempts all local (city/county) regulation of private drone use. No city or county may enact drone ordinances. All local ordinances enacted before July 1, 2022 are superseded. Narrow exceptions: airport operators may regulate operations on their airport property, and land managers may set rules on property they control (state/national parks).
Utah Code 76-6-106.3Critical Infrastructure Facility Definition
Defines critical infrastructure facilities protected against drone overflight without authorization: petroleum and alumina refineries, electric generating facilities, substations, switching stations, power lines and associated equipment, chemical/polymer/rubber plants, water facilities, natural-gas compressor stations, LNG terminals and storage, telecommunications/wireless infrastructure (including cell towers), gas processing plants, ports, railroad switching yards and tracks, and crude-oil/refined-products pipelines. Operating over these facilities without facility authorization violates 72-10-1002.
Utah Code 65A-3-2.5Wildland Fire and Unmanned Aircraft
Prohibits operating a drone within an FAA wildfire temporary flight restriction or designated fire scene without the incident commander's permission. Incident commanders and chief law enforcement officers are statutorily authorized to 'neutralize' (disable, damage, jam, or take control of) civilian drones in fire zones. Establishes tiered penalties based on consequences.
Utah Code 76-12-302Unlawful Observation or Recording (Privacy Violation)
Makes it unlawful to use any device (including drones) to observe, record, or broadcast events in a private place without consent. Commercial or educational drones operated consistent with FAA rules are exempt if any incidental capture is solely incidental to lawful use. Recodified in 2025 from former Utah Code 76-9-402.
Utah Code 76-12-307Recorded or Photographed Voyeurism
Makes it unlawful to secretly record, photograph, or film a person who has a reasonable expectation of privacy (including via drone) without consent. Recodified in 2025 from former Utah Code 76-9-702.7. The commercial/educational carve-out from 76-12-302 does not apply to this voyeurism statute.
Utah Code 76-12-308Distribution of Voyeurism Images
Makes it unlawful to distribute, sell, disseminate, or possess with intent to distribute images obtained through voyeurism (including drone-recorded images). Recodified in 2025.
Utah Code 72-14-403Livestock Harassment via Unmanned Aircraft
Prohibits intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly chasing, actively disturbing, or harming livestock through the use of a drone. Enacted by HB 217 (2017).
Utah Code 76-6-2-206(2)(A)Trespass via Unmanned Aircraft Over Private Property
Prohibits operating a drone over private property that is not open to the public unless the operator is authorized by the property owner. Modified by SB 111 (2017) to include drone-based trespass as a criminal offense.
DWR Rule R657-5-14Use of Aircraft and Drones to Locate Protected Wildlife
Prohibits using any aircraft or drone between July 31 and January 31 to locate or attempt to locate protected wildlife. Also prohibits taking wildlife that has been chased, harassed, herded, or driven by a drone. Enforced by Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers, including a dedicated drone team established to investigate wildlife crimes.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
No local ordinances on record. Check with your local city or county government for any drone-specific regulations.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe-operation violation (airspace, 400 ft ceiling, VLOS, critical infrastructure overflight, TFR) | Written warning (first) → Infraction (second) → Class B Misdemeanor (third+) | First: warning; Second: infraction fines (varies); Third+: up to $1,000 | Class B misdemeanor: up to 6 months | Local law enforcement, county sheriff, Utah Highway Patrol | Statute requires written warning on first violation |
| Weaponizing a drone (attaching firearm or weapon) | Class B Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | Local law enforcement, county sheriff | Exceptions for FAA-authorized, government contracts, DoD operations |
| Carrying/dropping contraband to or from correctional facility | Third-Degree Felony | Up to $5,000 | Up to 5 years | County prosecutors, state law enforcement | Mosquito-abatement district staff exempt under 2026 amendment |
| Interfering with correctional facility operations or security | Class B Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | Local law enforcement, facility authorities | |
| Wildfire TFR violation—baseline (reckless entry into fire zone) | Class B Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 6 months | Incident commander, law enforcement, FAA | Incident commander or chief law enforcement officer may 'neutralize' the drone |
| Wildfire TFR violation—causes firefighting aircraft to dump load or prevents takeoff | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $5,000 | Up to 1 year | Incident commander, law enforcement, FAA | Restitution available for damages, flight costs, lost retardant |
| Wildfire TFR violation—drone makes physical contact with manned aircraft | Third-Degree Felony | Up to $10,000 | Up to 5 years | Law enforcement, FAA, federal prosecutors | Restitution available |
| Wildfire TFR violation—drone causes manned aircraft collision with ground/structure/other aircraft | Second-Degree Felony | Up to $15,000 | Up to 15 years | Law enforcement, FAA, federal prosecutors | Most severe state drone penalty; restitution ordered for damages |
| Privacy violation (observation/recording without consent, non-commercial) | Class B Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | Local law enforcement, county prosecutors | Commercial/educational drone operations exempt if capture is incidental |
| Voyeurism (secretly recording person with reasonable expectation of privacy) | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 1 year | Local law enforcement, county prosecutors | No exemption for commercial operations |
| Distribution of voyeurism images (sale or dissemination) | Third-Degree Felony | Up to $5,000 | Up to 5 years | County/state prosecutors, law enforcement | |
| Livestock harassment via drone (first offense) | Class B Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | Local law enforcement, livestock inspectors | |
| Livestock harassment via drone (repeat offense or livestock killed/injured) | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 1 year | Local law enforcement, livestock inspectors | |
| Trespass via drone over unauthorized private property | Class B Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | Local law enforcement | Follows general trespass law framework; property owner must not open to public |
| Using drone to locate or harass protected wildlife (July 31 - Jan 31) | Wildlife Code Violation | Varies by specific offense | Varies by violation | Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers | Dedicated DWR drone team investigates violations |
| Drone operation in Utah state park without permit | Park Rule Violation | $10-$30 permit fee or park-specific penalty | None | Utah State Parks rangers | Each park has different rules and seasonal restrictions |
| Drone operation in National Park (Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Glen Canyon) | Federal Petty Offense | Up to $5,000 | Up to 6 months | National Park Service rangers, federal prosecutors | NPS policy prohibits all drone operations in national parks; 36 CFR § 1.5 |
Safe-operation violation (airspace, 400 ft ceiling, VLOS, critical infrastructure overflight, TFR)
Statute requires written warning on first violation
Weaponizing a drone (attaching firearm or weapon)
Exceptions for FAA-authorized, government contracts, DoD operations
Carrying/dropping contraband to or from correctional facility
Mosquito-abatement district staff exempt under 2026 amendment
Interfering with correctional facility operations or security
Wildfire TFR violation—baseline (reckless entry into fire zone)
Incident commander or chief law enforcement officer may 'neutralize' the drone
Wildfire TFR violation—causes firefighting aircraft to dump load or prevents takeoff
Restitution available for damages, flight costs, lost retardant
Wildfire TFR violation—drone makes physical contact with manned aircraft
Restitution available
Wildfire TFR violation—drone causes manned aircraft collision with ground/structure/other aircraft
Most severe state drone penalty; restitution ordered for damages
Privacy violation (observation/recording without consent, non-commercial)
Commercial/educational drone operations exempt if capture is incidental
Voyeurism (secretly recording person with reasonable expectation of privacy)
No exemption for commercial operations
Distribution of voyeurism images (sale or dissemination)
Livestock harassment via drone (first offense)
Livestock harassment via drone (repeat offense or livestock killed/injured)
Trespass via drone over unauthorized private property
Follows general trespass law framework; property owner must not open to public
Using drone to locate or harass protected wildlife (July 31 - Jan 31)
Dedicated DWR drone team investigates violations
Drone operation in Utah state park without permit
Each park has different rules and seasonal restrictions
Drone operation in National Park (Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Glen Canyon)
NPS policy prohibits all drone operations in national parks; 36 CFR § 1.5
Registration, Fees & Taxes
Utah imposes state-level registration, licensing, insurance, or fee requirements
Commercial operators: budget for the state fees below before operating here. Federal FAA registration is still required separately.
State Registration
Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Applies
- Registration Fee
- Fee not specifiedAgency: UDOT Division of Aeronautics (commercial registration only)Register here →
- Commercial License
- Required — fee not specified
- Sales Tax on Purchases
- Rate not specified
- Other Fees
- Aircraft property tax — 0.4% of wholesale valueDrones classified as aircraft are subject to annual property tax at 0.4% of wholesale value, administered by Utah Division of Aeronautics and State Tax Commission
- Annual uniform aircraft fee — $25/yearAnnual uniform fee required for all aircraft, including drones classified as aircraft, administered by Utah Division of Aeronautics
Recreational drone operators need only FAA registration ($5 per 3 years) for drones over 250 grams; no Utah state registration requirement. Commercial UAS operators must register with the UDOT Division of Aeronautics as of January 1, 2025 (per SB-24 2023, refined by SB-195 2025). Drones classified as aircraft may be subject to Utah aircraft property tax. No state commercial pilot license required beyond FAA Part 107.
No state-level commercial permit required beyond FAA Part 107 certificate. State parks and land managers require permits for operations on their property. Airports may regulate launch/landing on airport property.
No state-mandated insurance requirement. Insurance is recommended but not required by Utah statute.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
Remote ID broadcasting mandatory since March 16, 2024
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID via standard Remote ID, broadcast module, or operation inside FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). No state exemptions; federal requirement applies statewide.
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operations
Required for all compensated drone operations
Commercial drone operators must obtain FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107). No state-level commercial drone license exists. All commercial operators must also register with UDOT Division of Aeronautics as of January 2025.
LAANC Authorization for Controlled Airspace
Required for Class B, C, D, and surface E airspace at or below 400 feet
Salt Lake City area (SLC Class B) and Provo area (PVU Class D) require LAANC or direct ATC authorization. Both recreational and commercial pilots can request authorization through FAA-approved LAANC service providers via near-real-time apps.
Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Required for all recreational drone operators
Free online test; passing certificate must be carried when flying recreationally. Non-commercial flight without passing TRUST violates federal recreation rule.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Utah has not enacted a drone-specific critical infrastructure statute as of this writing. Pilots remain subject to general state laws on trespass, voyeurism, privacy, and reckless endangerment, and to all federal regulations including FAA Part 107.
Read the federal preemption guide →Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC available at Salt Lake City International (SLC, Class B), Provo Municipal (PVU, Class D), and other airports. Real-time LAANC authorization available at these locations. Manual coordination process available for flights above standard ceiling at non-LAANC airports.
Major Airports
SLC — Salt Lake City International (Class B)PVU — Provo Municipal (Class D)St. George Regional AirportMoab Regional Airport
TFR Notice
Active wildfire TFRs common July through November; check B4UFLY app before every flight. Stadium TFRs during university football games: Rice-Eccles Stadium (University of Utah), LaVell Edwards Stadium (Brigham Young University). Wildfire TFRs issued by incident commanders; pilot must get explicit permission to enter fire zones.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
SB 172 (Airport and Air Amendments) Signed into Law
legislationUtah Governor signed SB 172, amending state law regarding airports and aeronautics regulations. Bill addresses transportation and unmanned aircraft matters.
FAA Launches DETER Program for Faster Drone Enforcement
regulatory changeFAA announced the DETER (Drone Enforcement and Tracking Efficiency Review) program offering fast-track civil penalties for first-time drone safety offenders nationwide, including altitude violations, airspace violations, and TFR incursions.
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Utah | University of Utah requires all drone operations on campus to be approved in advance by the Office of Risk & Insurance Services. Rice-Eccles Stadium subject to temporary flight restrictions during Utes football games. Restrictions: No drone flights without prior approval from Office of Risk & Insurance Services. No flights over Rice-Eccles Stadium during football games. No flights over campus buildings, crowds, or parking areas without explicit authorization. | Yes | Office of Risk & Insurance Services |
| Brigham Young University | BYU requires all drone operations on campus to be approved by the Risk Management Office and Campus Police. LaVell Edwards Stadium subject to temporary flight restrictions during BYU football games. No flights permitted over temple grounds or residential housing. Restrictions: No drone flights without prior approval from Risk Management Office and Campus Police. No flights over LaVell Edwards Stadium during football games. No flights over temple grounds, student housing, or other campus buildings without explicit authorization. | Yes | Risk Management Office / Campus Police |
Last Updated
This page is automatically verified and updated weekly by our AI-powered legal research agent (v1.0.0). While we strive for accuracy, always verify critical information with official state sources.
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