Virginia Drone Laws

Knowingly and intentionally causing a UAS to enter another's property within 50 feet of a dwelling house to coerce, intimidate, or harass; to take off or land in violation of FAA Special Security Instructions or UAS Security Sensitive Airspace Restrictions; or to drop items or obtain imagery of identifiable inmates at correctional facilities. Class 1 misdemeanor.

Knowingly and intentionally, without authorization, causing a UAS to enter the airspace over public services or utilities, critical infrastructure as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 5195c including any military base authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense, or any facility covered by the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Carve-outs for consent, federally authorized operators, employees on official business, and utility/critical-infrastructure personnel.

Knowingly, intentionally, and without authorization causing a UAS to enter the property of a contracted defense facility and obtaining or attempting to obtain videographic or still imagery containing controlled technical information. Operators and employees of contracted defense facilities receive criminal-prosecution and civil-liability immunity for non-injurious counter-UAS action.

Knowingly and intentionally causing a UAS to secretly or furtively peep or spy, or attempt to peep or spy, into or through a window, door, or other aperture of any building occupied or intended for occupancy as a dwelling, in violation of reasonable expectation of privacy. Amended in 2023 to explicitly include unmanned aircraft systems. Lawful criminal investigations exempted.

Unlawful for individuals required to register as sex offenders or respondents under a protective order to use or operate a UAS to knowingly and intentionally follow, contact, or capture identifying images of another person (or petitioner/individuals named in protective order) without permission.

State and local law-enforcement agencies must obtain a search warrant before deploying a UAS, subject to exceptions: AMBER/Senior/Blue Alerts, imminent danger, crash-scene reconstruction, consent, training, aerial survey of primary residence for arrest warrant execution, and locating fleeing persons in hot pursuit. Evidence obtained in violation is inadmissible. Weaponized UAS prohibited except at Wallops Island Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and certain Navy facilities. Amended 2026 to expedite warrant issuance and expand exceptions for crime-scene surveys and public-safety calls.

No political subdivision may regulate the use of privately owned unmanned aircraft systems within its boundaries. Exception: political subdivisions may regulate take-off and landing on property owned by the political subdivision, subject to Virginia Department of Aviation rules consistent with federal regulations. Subdivision must report any such ordinance to DOAV, which maintains statewide registry.

Prohibits voluntary landing or operation of drones, remote-control model aircraft, helicopters, balloons, parachutes, or other aviation apparatus in or upon any Virginia state park or Department of Conservation and Recreation property without a special-use permit. Permits issued only for commercial or approved research operations. Exemptions for forced landings and rescue/approved training flights. Recreational operators have no permit pathway. Permits must be carried on-site; park managers retain discretion over operational windows and site access.

Unlawful to use a drone to hunt, take, or kill any wild animal; to drive or herd wildlife for hunting purposes; to harass a wild animal; or to hunt on the same calendar day after using a drone to locate or surveil a wild animal during an open season. Exemptions for DWR-authorized wildlife management activities, federal fish-and-wildlife employees, and local animal-control officers in the course of duties.

Fire chief or other officer in charge of a fire department has authority to maintain order at emergency incidents, including the immediate airspace. Individuals who do not obey officer orders are subject to criminal penalty.

Any owner of an unmanned aircraft shall NOT be required to register such aircraft with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Federal FAA registration ($5 for 3 years) required for drones over 0.55 pounds (250 grams).

HB 950 adds Department of Environmental Quality to exceptions for implementing Virginia Water Resources/Wetlands Protection Program and Erosion and Stormwater Management Act. HB 1219/SB 647 expedite search warrant issuance and permit warrantless use for crime-scene surveys, public-safety calls on public property, locating fleeing persons, and real-time aerial observation for on-scene safety. Requires model policy by December 1, 2026. Subject to reenactment clause.

Drone operations in parks — nighttime restriction

Prohibits use of drones in Prince William County parks during nighttime hours. Operations during daylight require permission from park authority.

Airborne equipment operations on public property

Prohibits flying or controlling any airborne equipment from public areas without a permit from the appropriate government official. Public areas defined as county-owned property including parks, beaches, public boat landings, vacant open land, public parking areas, county buildings, and school grounds.