Vermont Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Vermont has enacted targeted drone regulations including a distinctive 100-foot private property overflight restriction (effective June 2024), strict law enforcement drone oversight requiring warrants and annual reporting, and a comprehensive wildlife protection ban. The state maintains a moderate regulatory posture with specific restrictions rather than blanket prohibitions, though state parks and correctional facilities remain off-limits.
State Drone Laws
20 V.S.A. § 4622Weaponization of Drones and Law Enforcement Drone Use Restrictions
Prohibits equipping drones with dangerous or deadly weapons or firing projectiles from drones. Regulates law enforcement use of drones by prohibiting drone use to investigate, detect, or prosecute crimes without a warrant under Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41. Law enforcement cannot gather or maintain personal data on private citizens exercising constitutional rights. Facial recognition and biometric matching on non-target persons is prohibited.
20 V.S.A. § 4623FAA Compliance Requirement for Drone Operations
Requires all drone operators, including law enforcement agencies, to comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements and guidelines.
20 V.S.A. § 4624Law Enforcement Agency Drone Deployment Reporting
Requires any law enforcement agency using drones to file an annual report to the Department of Public Safety by September 1. Report must include: number of deployments in the previous 12 months, type of incident involved, nature of information collected, rationale for each deployment, number of criminal investigations aided and arrests made, number of times drone collected data on persons/homes/areas other than the surveillance target, and cost of the drone program.
20 V.S.A. § 4625Prohibition on Drone Operations Over Correctional Facilities
Prohibits flying drones over correctional facilities or in airspace above correctional facilities.
20 V.S.A. § 4626Private Property Overflight and Surveillance Prohibition
Prohibits recreational drone operations below 100 feet AGL over privately owned property without the owner's prior written consent. Prohibits using drones to record images of private property or its occupants without consent if the intent is surveillance. Creates a legal presumption that persons not observable from ground level have reasonable expectation of privacy. Part 107 commercial operators and emergency responders are exempt. Effective June 2024 through Act 144 (H.546).
10 App. V.S.A. § 20Prohibition on Hunting or Surveilling Wildlife Using Drones
Prohibits taking, locating, surveilling, driving, or harassing any wild animal using drones. Applies to all drone operators, not just hunters. Includes prohibition on attempting to locate wildlife for purposes of taking animals and assistance in hunting activities.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Town of Colchester
townPark Property Drone Restriction
Prohibits landing, launching, or operating a drone within town park property except in emergency law enforcement situations or with prior written permission from the Director.
Restrictions
No flight operations in park property without Director permission or emergency law enforcement authorization
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational drone flight below 100 feet AGL over private property without consent (20 V.S.A. § 4626) | Civil violation | $50 first offense, $250 subsequent | None | Local law enforcement / Property owners | Civil remedy available under Vermont voyeurism statutes. Property owners can pursue damages. |
| Drone surveillance of private property or occupants without consent (20 V.S.A. § 4626) | Civil violation | $50 first offense, $250 subsequent | None | Local law enforcement / Property owners | May trigger voyeurism statute liability (13 V.S.A. § 2605) for civil damages. |
| Equipping drone with weapon or firing projectile from drone (20 V.S.A. § 4622) | Felony | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | State Police / Local Law Enforcement | Criminal penalty with imprisonment option. |
| Flying over correctional facility (20 V.S.A. § 4625) | Civil violation | $500 | None | Department of Corrections / State Police | Civil penalty for overflight of any correctional facility. |
| Using drone to hunt, locate, or harass wildlife (10 App. V.S.A. § 20) | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department / Local Law Enforcement | Applies to all operators attempting to locate or surveil wildlife for hunting purposes. |
| Law enforcement drone use without warrant (20 V.S.A. § 4622) | Violation of state law | No specific fine stated | No specific imprisonment | Department of Public Safety / Vermont Attorney General | Warrant required under Rule 41 of Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure for investigative drone use. |
Recreational drone flight below 100 feet AGL over private property without consent (20 V.S.A. § 4626)
Civil remedy available under Vermont voyeurism statutes. Property owners can pursue damages.
Drone surveillance of private property or occupants without consent (20 V.S.A. § 4626)
May trigger voyeurism statute liability (13 V.S.A. § 2605) for civil damages.
Equipping drone with weapon or firing projectile from drone (20 V.S.A. § 4622)
Criminal penalty with imprisonment option.
Flying over correctional facility (20 V.S.A. § 4625)
Civil penalty for overflight of any correctional facility.
Using drone to hunt, locate, or harass wildlife (10 App. V.S.A. § 20)
Applies to all operators attempting to locate or surveil wildlife for hunting purposes.
Law enforcement drone use without warrant (20 V.S.A. § 4622)
Warrant required under Rule 41 of Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure for investigative drone use.
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Vermont does not require state-specific drone registration. Federal FAA registration is required for drones over 250g ($5 for 3 years). Drones under 250g are exempt from FAA registration but still subject to all Vermont flight rules.
No state permit required for recreational or Part 107 commercial operations. State parks and sensitive areas require written approval from Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
Not required but recommended for commercial operations.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Remote ID Requirement
Federal requirement effective March 2024
All registered drones (over 250g) must broadcast Remote ID information. Vermont operators must comply with this federal mandate.
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operations
Federal licensing and altitude limits
Commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 certificate ($175 test fee). Part 107 exempts operators from Vermont's 100-foot private property restriction but still subject to all other Vermont rules.
Recreational Flyer Exception (49 USC 44809)
Federal recreational flying authorization
Recreational flyers must pass the TRUST test (free) and comply with 400-foot altitude limit and visual line-of-sight requirements. Vermont's 100-foot private property rule applies to recreational flyers.
LAANC and Controlled Airspace
Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability
Required for operations in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D) around Burlington International Airport and other airports. Available at 726 airports nationally.
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 available at Burlington International Airport and other Vermont airports. Class C controlled airspace covers Burlington metro area and portions of other regions. LAANC authorization required for flights in controlled airspace below FAA altitude ceilings.
Major Airports
BTV — Burlington International Airport (Class C airspace)MPV — Edward F. Knapp State Airport (Montpelier)RUT — Rutland State Airport
TFR Notice
Standard FAA Temporary Flight Restriction procedures apply. Check NOTAM system for all flights. FIFA World Cup 2026 may establish additional TFRs in certain areas.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
H0654In CommitteeAn act relating to Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force
Establishes a Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force. Details of the task force mandate not specified in available information.
Last action: January 13, 2026
S0246In CommitteeAn act relating to tax exemptions for noncommercial aircraft and revenue sharing with airports
Relates to tax exemptions for noncommercial aircraft and revenue sharing mechanisms with airports. May affect drone operations at state airports.
Last action: January 14, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont (UVM) | UVM requires drone operators to obtain approval and coordination with the Department of Risk Management and Safety and campus police before operating drones on university property. Restrictions: Prior approval required from Risk Management. No flights over university athletic events or large assemblies. | 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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