Virginia Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Virginia maintains state-level preemption preventing local general drone regulation, but allows municipalities to regulate take-off and landing on public property. The state has comprehensive statutes addressing trespass, privacy, peeping, and critical infrastructure protection, with 2025 amendments adding Class 4 felonies for unauthorized drone operations over military bases and defense facilities. Airspace over Northern Virginia is heavily restricted by federal DC Special Flight Rules Area overlays.
State Drone Laws
Va. Code § 15.2-926.3State Preemption with Local Take-Off/Landing Carve-Out
Preempts all general local regulation of privately owned unmanned aircraft systems within Virginia jurisdictions. However, political subdivisions may regulate take-off and landing of UAS on property owned by the subdivision, subject to rules promulgated by the Virginia Department of Aviation consistent with federal aviation regulations. Political subdivisions must report any such ordinances to DOAV annually.
Va. Code § 18.2-121.3Trespass with an Unmanned Aircraft System
Prohibits knowingly and intentionally causing a UAS to (i) enter the property of another and come within 50 feet of a dwelling house to coerce, intimidate, or harass another person or after actual notice to desist, or (ii) take off or land in violation of FAA Special Security Instructions or UAS Security Sensitive Airspace Restrictions. Amended in 2025 to add Class 4 felony provisions for unauthorized drone operations over critical infrastructure, military bases, and maritime security facilities, and for obtaining controlled technical information at contracted defense facilities.
Va. Code § 18.2-130.1Peeping or Spying by Unmanned Aircraft System
Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly and intentionally cause 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, where the conduct would violate the occupant's reasonable expectation of privacy. Amended in 2023 to explicitly include unmanned aircraft systems.
Va. Code § 18.2-324.2Drone Use by Registered Sex Offenders and Protective Order Respondents
Prohibits persons required to register as sex offenders from using a UAS to knowingly and intentionally follow or contact another person or capture identifying images of another person without permission. Also prohibits respondents under protective orders from using a UAS to follow, contact, or capture images of the petitioner or any other individual named in the order.
Va. Code § 19.2-60.1Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by Public Bodies; Search Warrant Required
Requires Virginia state and local law-enforcement agencies to obtain a search warrant before operating a UAS for law-enforcement purposes. Exceptions include Amber/Senior/Blue Alerts, immediate danger, crash-scene reconstruction, consent, training, and (as amended in 2026) surveying crime scenes on public property, locating fleeing suspects, and providing real-time aerial observation for on-scene safety. Amended in 2026 to expedite warrant issuance and expand lawful exceptions. Evidence obtained in violation is inadmissible. Weaponized UAS are prohibited except at Wallops Island Space Port and certain Navy facilities.
4 VAC 5-30-400Drone Operations in Virginia State Parks
Prohibits the voluntary landing or operation of any unmanned aerial system, drone, or other aerial apparatus within or upon any Virginia state park or DCR-owned property. Permits may be issued only for commercial or approved research operations; recreational operations have no application pathway. Permits must be obtained from the individual park office before operation and must be carried on-site.
4 VAC 15-20-240Wildlife: Prohibition on Drone Use in Hunting and Wildlife Management
Prohibits using a drone to hunt, take, or kill any wild animal, to drive or herd wildlife for hunting, or to harass a wild animal. Also prohibits hunting or assisting another in hunting on the same calendar day after using a drone to locate or surveil a wild animal during an open season. Exempts authorized DWR wildlife-management activities, federal fish-and-wildlife employees, and local animal-control officers acting in their official duties.
Va. Code § 29.1-521Harassment of Hunters or Fishermen with Drone
Makes it unlawful to use a drone to harass, intimidate, or interfere with persons lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing.
Va. Code § 5.1-5No State Registration Requirement for Unmanned Aircraft
Explicitly provides that owners of unmanned aircraft are not required to register such aircraft with the state of Virginia. Federal FAA registration remains required for drones over 250 grams.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
York County
countyAirborne Equipment Operating Permit
Prohibits flying or controlling any airborne equipment from a public area without a permit from the appropriate government official.
Restrictions
Public area defined as county-owned property including parks, beaches, public boat landings, vacant open land, public parking areas, county buildings, and public school grounds. Permit required from county authority.
Prince William County
countyNighttime Drone Ban in Parks
Prohibits the use of drones in Prince William County parks in the outdoors during nighttime hours.
Restrictions
Nighttime flight prohibited. Daytime operations require permission from park authority. Operators must secure written permission from the park authority before flying.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trespass with UAS within 50 feet of dwelling or violation of FAA SSI/SSAR (§ 18.2-121.3) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 12 months | Virginia State Police / Local Law Enforcement | Civil liability for damages also possible |
| Unauthorized UAS over critical infrastructure, military base, or MTSA facility (§ 18.2-121.3(B), eff. 7/1/2025) | Class 4 Felony | Up to $100,000 | 2–10 years | Federal / State law enforcement | No carve-out for first offense; applies immediately to any violation |
| Contracted defense facility controlled-technical-information imagery (§ 18.2-121.3(D), eff. 7/1/2025) | Class 4 Felony | Up to $100,000 | 2–10 years | Federal / State law enforcement | Prompted by 2023 Newport News Shipbuilding incident (Fengyun Shi case) |
| Peeping or spying into dwelling by drone (§ 18.2-130.1) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 12 months | Local Law Enforcement | Civil liability for intrusion upon seclusion also available |
| Drone use by sex offender registrant or protective order respondent (§ 18.2-324.2) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 12 months | Local Law Enforcement | |
| Operating drone in Virginia state park without permit (4 VAC 5-30-400) | Administrative | Varies | None | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation | Park rangers enforce; removal from park |
| Using drone to hunt, harass wildlife, or locate game for same-day hunting (4 VAC 15-20-240) | Administrative / Criminal | Varies | Varies | Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources | DWR Conservation Police enforce; call 1-800-237-5712 to report violations |
| Harassment of hunters or fishermen with drone (§ 29.1-521) | Class 3 Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Not specified | Local Law Enforcement / DWR | |
| DC Flight Restricted Zone (15-nm ring) or SFRA violation (49 U.S.C. § 46307) | Federal Misdemeanor | Federal fine (up to $32,000+ per violation, indexed annually) | Up to 1 year | FAA / Federal law enforcement / NORAD | Criminal referral possible; F-16s may be scrambled for intercept; enforcement extremely serious |
| Operating drone in National Park Service unit (36 CFR § 1.5) | Federal Class B Misdemeanor | $5,000 | Up to 6 months | National Park Service Rangers | Drone seizure; actively enforced at Shenandoah, Colonial NHP, and other Virginia NPS sites |
Trespass with UAS within 50 feet of dwelling or violation of FAA SSI/SSAR (§ 18.2-121.3)
Civil liability for damages also possible
Unauthorized UAS over critical infrastructure, military base, or MTSA facility (§ 18.2-121.3(B), eff. 7/1/2025)
No carve-out for first offense; applies immediately to any violation
Contracted defense facility controlled-technical-information imagery (§ 18.2-121.3(D), eff. 7/1/2025)
Prompted by 2023 Newport News Shipbuilding incident (Fengyun Shi case)
Peeping or spying into dwelling by drone (§ 18.2-130.1)
Civil liability for intrusion upon seclusion also available
Drone use by sex offender registrant or protective order respondent (§ 18.2-324.2)
Operating drone in Virginia state park without permit (4 VAC 5-30-400)
Park rangers enforce; removal from park
Using drone to hunt, harass wildlife, or locate game for same-day hunting (4 VAC 15-20-240)
DWR Conservation Police enforce; call 1-800-237-5712 to report violations
Harassment of hunters or fishermen with drone (§ 29.1-521)
DC Flight Restricted Zone (15-nm ring) or SFRA violation (49 U.S.C. § 46307)
Criminal referral possible; F-16s may be scrambled for intercept; enforcement extremely serious
Operating drone in National Park Service unit (36 CFR § 1.5)
Drone seizure; actively enforced at Shenandoah, Colonial NHP, and other Virginia NPS sites
Registration, Fees & Taxes
Virginia 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
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
- Other Fees
- Local take-off/landing permits — Varies by jurisdictionSome Virginia localities (e.g., York County, Prince William County) may charge for permits to operate on public property; fees vary by locality
- State park commercial/research permits — VariableVirginia state parks may assess fees for commercial or research drone operations; contact individual park office
Virginia explicitly does not require state-level registration of unmanned aircraft. Federal FAA registration is required for all drones over 250 grams ($5 for 3 years), but this is a federal requirement, not a state requirement. Virginia imposes no separate state drone registration fee, state commercial licensing beyond FAA Part 107, or state-mandated insurance requirement.
No statewide permit required for recreational or commercial drone operation under Part 107. However, take-off and landing on political subdivision property may require local authorization per § 15.2-926.3 (consult Virginia Department of Aviation registry). State parks require special-use permits for commercial/research only (recreational operation not permitted).
Virginia does not mandate liability insurance. However, commercial operators typically carry insurance as standard practice, and some commercial clients may require proof of insurance.
Applicable Federal Regulations
DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) and Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ)
14 CFR Part 93 Subpart V and 14 CFR § 93.339
The 30-nautical-mile SFRA centered on Reagan National Airport covers most of Northern Virginia. The inner 15-nm FRZ (containing Pentagon, CIA headquarters, Reagan National runway approaches) is a complete no-fly zone for civilian UAS except by rare FAA waiver. Recreational flight permitted between 15-30 nm under 49 U.S.C. § 44809 with proper authorization; Part 107 commercial flight in the SFRA requires SFRA-specific authorization beyond standard LAANC. Active FDC NOTAM !FDC 4/1783 governs. Violation triggers FAA civil penalties ($32,000+) and possible federal criminal referral (49 U.S.C. § 46307: up to 1 year prison).
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operator Requirements
14 CFR Part 107; applies to all commercial drone operations in Virginia
Commercial drone flights require FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107). Virginia does not issue a separate state commercial drone license. Part 107 applies to any operation benefiting a business (real estate, roof inspection, wedding video, farm imagery, paid social content). Remote ID mandatory since March 16, 2024. Visual line of sight, 400 ft AGL, daylight or civil twilight required unless waivered. Operations-over-people rules effective (pilots may fly over people/moving vehicles without waiver under Category 1-4 conditions).
Recreational UAS Exception (49 U.S.C. § 44809)
Free TRUST test; no Part 107 license required
Recreational flight permitted under 49 U.S.C. § 44809 provided pilot passes free FAA TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test). Drone must be registered if over 250g. Visual line of sight, 400 ft AGL, daylight/civil twilight required. LAANC authorization required in Class B, C, D, surface E airspace. Must follow Community-Based Organization safety guidelines. Virginia's DC SFRA layer restricts recreational flying within 30 nm of Reagan National.
Remote ID Compliance
FAA Remote ID mandate effective March 16, 2024
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information via standard module, broadcast module, or operation inside a FRIA. Virginia airspace heavily monitored; compliance essential for avoiding FAA enforcement.
National Park Service Drone Ban
NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 (system-wide)
Drone launch, landing, and operation prohibited in all NPS units nationwide, including Virginia sites (Shenandoah, Colonial NHP, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Great Falls, Manassas Battlefield, Prince William Forest, Wolf Trap, Assateague, Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania/Petersburg/Richmond/Cedar Creek/Appomattox battlefields). Violation is federal Class B misdemeanor: up to 6 months jail, $5,000 fine, drone seizure. NPS rangers actively enforce.
Federal Critical Infrastructure & Military Base Protection
42 U.S.C. § 5195c; 46 U.S.C. § 70101; 10 U.S.C. Military Facilities
Virginia Code § 18.2-121.3(B) mirrors and reinforces federal law by making unauthorized UAS operations over critical infrastructure, military bases, and MTSA-covered maritime facilities a Class 4 felony. Virginia hosts the Pentagon, Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base), Newport News Shipbuilding, Langley AFB, Fort Eustis, Quantico, Dam Neck, and others. Federal restrictions layer with state felony; violators face federal civil/criminal penalties AND Virginia state felony prosecution.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Va. Code § 18.2-121.3 — Trespass with an unmanned aircraft system; penalty
Penalty: Class 4 felony for knowing/intentional unauthorized UAS entry over critical infrastructure, military bases, or MTSA-covered facilities
FAA authorization carve-out: Yes
Covered categories
Virginia's CI definition is incorporated by reference to 42 U.S.C. § 5195c rather than an enumerated list, sweeping in a broader range of facilities than typical state CI statutes.
Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC available at 726 FAA airports nationwide, including Richmond International (RIC), Norfolk International (ORF), and others in Virginia. However, Northern Virginia airspace is heavily restricted; much of the area shows zero or very low altitude authorizations due to overlapping Class B airspace from Dulles (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA).
Major Airports
RIC — Richmond International AirportDCA — Ronald Reagan Washington National AirportIAD — Washington Dulles International AirportORF — Norfolk International AirportNTU — Newport News/Williamsburg International AirportLFI — Lynchburg Regional AirportNGU — North Grass Airfield
TFR Notice
DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) extends 30 nautical miles from Reagan National Airport, covering most of Northern Virginia including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and parts of Loudoun and Prince William counties. The inner 15-nautical-mile Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) is essentially a complete no-fly zone for civilian drones. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) activate around military bases (Quantico, Langley, Fort Eustis, Dam Neck, Wallops Island) and special events. Stadium TFRs apply during major sporting events.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Unidentified Drone Swarm Over Langley Air Force Base
regulatory changeFor 17 consecutive nights in December 2023, unidentified drones including fixed-wing aircraft (20 feet, ~100 mph) and quadcopters swarmed restricted airspace above Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Military scrambled F-22 Raptors and AWACS surveillance. Source never conclusively identified. Incident prompted classified briefings with Virginia governor and senators and led to 2025 amendments to § 18.2-121.3 adding Class 4 felonies for unauthorized defense-facility drone operations.
Fengyun Shi Espionage Case - Newport News Shipbuilding
enforcementChinese national Fengyun Shi flew a drone over Newport News Shipbuilding and photographed Navy ships in dry dock in 2023. Drone became stuck in tree; police responded. Shi pleaded guilty to two Espionage Act counts and was sentenced to 6 months concurrent prison, subsequently deported. First drone prosecution under Espionage Act. Directly prompted HB 1726 (Class 4 felony for unauthorized drone photography at DOD contract facilities, effective 7/1/2025).
Pending Legislation
Norfolk City Ordinance (Proposed)Proposed as of May 2026; vote scheduled June 9, 2025Drone Permit and Operating Restrictions Ordinance
Would require permits for take-off and landing on city property and ban operations at listed sites including city garages and the Norfolk Zoo. Status as of May 14, 2026 review was proposed (not yet codified). Vote was scheduled for June 9, 2025; current enactment status uncertain.
Last action: May 9, 2025
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia | UVA requires approval from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety for all UAS operations on university grounds. Stadium TFR applies during football games. Restrictions: EHS approval required before any drone flight on university property. Scott Stadium no-fly zone during Cavalier football games. No flights over historic Grounds or Rotunda. | Yes | Office of Environmental Health & Safety — ehs.virginia.edu |
| Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech requires Environmental Health & Safety approval for all campus drone operations. Active hub of UAS research through the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), one of seven original FAA UAS test sites. Lane Stadium TFR during athletic events. Restrictions: EHS approval required. Lane Stadium TFR during events. No flights without prior authorization. | Yes | Environmental Health & Safety / Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership — ehss.vt.edu |
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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