Vermont Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Vermont maintains a moderate regulatory posture toward drone operations with detailed protections for privacy, law enforcement oversight, correctional facilities, and wildlife. The state has one of the earlier and more comprehensive state drone codes, with specific restrictions on private property overflight, aerial hunting, and law enforcement use. Most lawful commercial and recreational operations are permitted under federal FAA rules and Vermont's targeted state restrictions.
State Drone Laws
20 V.S.A. § 4622Law Enforcement Use of Drones
Prohibits Vermont law enforcement agencies from using drones to investigate, detect, or prosecute crimes without a warrant or recognized exception. Limited exceptions exist for search and rescue, and assessment of accidents, fires, flooding, and storm damage. Prohibits the weaponization of drones by equipping them with dangerous or deadly weapons or firing projectiles. Law enforcement cannot use drones to gather data on individuals peacefully exercising constitutional rights to free speech or assembly, and cannot apply facial recognition or biometric matching to non-target persons. Evidence gathered in violation is inadmissible in court.
20 V.S.A. § 4625Drone Operations Over Correctional Facilities
Prohibits knowingly operating a drone over a correctional facility or over surrounding property that is recognizable as prison land or marked by fencing or signs. Applies to all drone operators. Exceptions: Department of Corrections operations, persons with written consent from supervising officer, FAA-authorized commercial operators, and certain government users providing advance notice.
20 V.S.A. § 4626Drone Operation Over Private Property
Prohibits recreational and hobby drone operations below 100 feet above ground level over privately owned property without the owner's prior written consent. Prohibits using a drone to record or surveil private property or its occupants in violation of their reasonable expectation of privacy. The law presumes a reasonable expectation of privacy exists wherever a person would not be observable from ground level. Part 107 commercial operators and law enforcement acting for legitimate purposes are exempted. Drone sellers must provide written notice of these rules to buyers.
13 V.S.A. § 2605Voyeurism and Unlawful Recording
Criminalizes viewing, photographing, filming, or recording a person's intimate areas without consent where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Applies to drone-captured imagery. Also prohibits sharing images captured in violation of this statute.
10 App. V.S.A. § 20Aerial Hunting and Wildlife Harassment
Prohibits using a drone to take wild animals or attempt to take wild animals. Prohibits using a drone to locate, surveil, or assist in locating or surveilling any wild animal for the purpose of taking or attempting to take the animal. Prohibits using a drone to drive or harass any wild animal. Also prohibits recreational drone use on Fish and Wildlife Department lands, including Wildlife Management Areas and fishing-access areas.
CVR 12-020-009Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation Drone Procedure
Prohibits launching or landing drones on Vermont state parks, state forests, and recreation areas managed by the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation without the Commissioner's written approval. Requires a Special Use Permit or License for all drone operations on FPR lands. Commercial drone work always requires a permit. Exceptions exist for emergencies, trained ANR staff performing official work, and law enforcement acting under chapter 205. The rule applies to the ground (launch/landing); the airspace overhead remains under federal FAA jurisdiction.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Town of Colchester
townDrone Operations in Town Parks
Prohibits landing, launching, or operating a drone within town park property except in emergency law enforcement situations or with permission from the Director.
Restrictions
No drone launch, landing, or operation in town parks without Director approval or in emergency law enforcement situations
City of Burlington
cityDrone Operations in Burlington Parks
Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront department does not issue permits for drone operations. Most city parks fall under controlled airspace (Class C/D) due to Burlington International Airport proximity. Pilots are directed to comply with FAA rules and obtain LAANC authorization. Starr Farm Park is the sole exception, located in uncontrolled Class G airspace.
Restrictions
No drone permits issued by Burlington Parks. LAANC authorization required for most parks due to Class C/D controlled airspace. Starr Farm Park is the only unrestricted option.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law enforcement drone use outside statute limits or for crime investigation without warrant | Evidence Inadmissibility / Agency Violation | N/A | N/A | Vermont courts; State's Attorneys | Evidence is inadmissible in court. Annual reporting requirement to Department of Public Safety. |
| Weaponization of drone (equipping with deadly weapon or firing projectile) | Criminal | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | Vermont State Police, State's Attorneys | Applies to all drone operators. Felony-level offense. |
| Recreational drone flight below 100 feet over private property without written consent | Civil Violation | $50 (first offense), $250 (subsequent offenses) | N/A | Vermont courts, local police, Vermont State Police | 20 V.S.A. § 4626. Effective June 6, 2024. |
| Surveillance or recording of private property/occupants in violation of reasonable expectation of privacy | Civil Violation | $50 (first offense), $250 (subsequent offenses) | N/A | Vermont courts, local police | 20 V.S.A. § 4626. Civil penalties; criminal voyeurism charges under § 2605 also possible. |
| Drone operation over correctional facility | Civil Violation | Up to $500 | N/A | Vermont courts, Department of Corrections | 20 V.S.A. § 4625. |
| Aerial hunting, locating, surveilling, or harassing wildlife with drone | Criminal | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, wardens, State's Attorneys | 10 App. V.S.A. § 20. Applies to all drone operators and all wild animals. |
| Voyeurism or unlawful recording of intimate areas by drone | Criminal | $1,000 (first), $5,000 (repeat or disclosure) | 2 years (first), 3 years (repeat), 5 years (disclosure) | State's Attorneys, Vermont State Police | 13 V.S.A. § 2605. Drone-enabled voyeurism. |
| Launching or landing drone in state park/forest without Commissioner approval | State Lands Rule Violation | Varies | N/A | Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation staff | CVR 12-020-009 / FPR Procedure. Rule applies to ground operations only. |
| Recreational drone use on Fish & Wildlife Department lands | Fish & Wildlife Violation | Varies | Varies | Vermont Fish & Wildlife wardens | Recreational flying prohibited on all F&W lands, including Wildlife Management Areas and fishing-access areas. |
Law enforcement drone use outside statute limits or for crime investigation without warrant
Evidence is inadmissible in court. Annual reporting requirement to Department of Public Safety.
Weaponization of drone (equipping with deadly weapon or firing projectile)
Applies to all drone operators. Felony-level offense.
Recreational drone flight below 100 feet over private property without written consent
20 V.S.A. § 4626. Effective June 6, 2024.
Surveillance or recording of private property/occupants in violation of reasonable expectation of privacy
20 V.S.A. § 4626. Civil penalties; criminal voyeurism charges under § 2605 also possible.
Drone operation over correctional facility
20 V.S.A. § 4625.
Aerial hunting, locating, surveilling, or harassing wildlife with drone
10 App. V.S.A. § 20. Applies to all drone operators and all wild animals.
Voyeurism or unlawful recording of intimate areas by drone
13 V.S.A. § 2605. Drone-enabled voyeurism.
Launching or landing drone in state park/forest without Commissioner approval
CVR 12-020-009 / FPR Procedure. Rule applies to ground operations only.
Recreational drone use on Fish & Wildlife Department lands
Recreational flying prohibited on all F&W lands, including Wildlife Management Areas and fishing-access areas.
Registration, Fees & Taxes
No additional state registration or fees in Vermont
Only standard federal FAA registration applies. No state registration, licensing, or drone-specific fees on record.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
Vermont does not require state-level drone registration beyond the federal FAA registration. Drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). Vermont does not issue state drone licenses, permits, or business permits specific to drone operations. Commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 certification. Recreational operators must pass the free TRUST test. Standard Vermont business tax rules apply to commercial drone operators.
No state-level commercial drone permit required beyond FAA Part 107. Special Use Permit or License required only for launching/landing on state park or forest lands (managed by Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation).
No state-mandated drone insurance requirement. Insurance is recommended but not required for either recreational or commercial operations.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Part 107 Commercial Operations
Commercial drone operators in Vermont must obtain FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
FAA Part 107 is the federal framework governing commercial small UAS operations. Vermont has no additional state commercial licensing requirement beyond Part 107. All commercial drone work in Vermont must comply with Part 107 rules.
Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Recreational drone pilots must pass the free TRUST test
The FAA's TRUST is required for all recreational drone flights in Vermont. Completion certificate must be carried during flights. Vermont does not require additional state recreational licensing.
Remote ID
Remote ID broadcast mandatory for all registered drones since March 16, 2024
All FAA-registered drones must broadcast Remote ID either via standard module or within a FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Vermont enforces this federal requirement.
Altitude Limits
400 feet AGL is the standard FAA ceiling in uncontrolled airspace
Vermont does not lower the federal 400-foot altitude limit. Inside controlled airspace around Burlington (Class C), LAANC may authorize flights at various altitudes depending on airport operations.
Visual Line of Sight and Night Operations
Visual Line of Sight required for most operations; night flying allowed with anti-collision lighting
Standard FAA rules apply. Night operations now allowed without a waiver if drone has anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles. Vermont imposes no additional restrictions.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Vermont 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 (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is available at 726 airports nationwide, including Vermont's primary airport Burlington International (BTV), which anchors Class C controlled airspace. Most of Burlington and surrounding areas require LAANC authorization. Much of central and southern Vermont operates in uncontrolled Class G or Class E airspace.
Major Airports
BTV — Burlington International Airport (Class C)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions may be issued for events, presidential visits, or special activities. Check B4UFLY and FAA notices regularly.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
H0654Introduced — Referred to Committee on Government Operations and Military AffairsAn act relating to Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force
Proposed legislation to establish a Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force.
Last action: January 13, 2026
S0246Introduced — Referred to Committee on TransportationAn act relating to tax exemptions for noncommercial aircraft and revenue sharing with airports
Proposed legislation to establish tax exemptions for noncommercial aircraft and revenue-sharing mechanisms with airports. May have implications for drone classification as 'aircraft' for tax purposes, but specific drone treatment unclear.
Last action: January 14, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont | UVM requires drone operators to coordinate with the Department of Risk Management and Safety and campus police before operating drones on university property. Operations must comply with all federal and state regulations. Restrictions: Coordination with Risk Management and Safety required. No flights over university events or crowds. | Yes | Department of Risk Management and Safety |
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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