Wyoming Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Wyoming maintains a permissive stance toward drone operations with few state-level restrictions. The state's regulatory framework centers on critical infrastructure protection (enacted 2025), correctional facility security, hunting restrictions, and landing requirements on private property, with the remainder of governance delegated to federal FAA authority. Wyoming imposes no state registration, licensing, or insurance requirements for drone operators beyond federal FAA mandates.
State Drone Laws
W.S. 19-13-503Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Systems from Drones
Prohibits operating a drone over or near critical infrastructure or critical systems with intent to photograph, loiter over, or in furtherance of any crime. Covered facilities include refineries, chemical plants, water and wastewater treatment, dams, power generation and substations, high-voltage transmission lines, communication towers, natural gas facilities, railroads, courts, jails, military installations, hospitals with air-ambulance service, and mining infrastructure. Authorizes police to take reasonable actions against violating drones, including disabling or removing them. Carves out FAA-authorized operators, government agencies, infrastructure owners and agents, emergency personnel, and private landowners flying over their own land.
W.S. 10-4-303Low or Dangerous Flight; Landing on Another's Land
Authorizes unmanned aircraft operation over Wyoming lands and waters unless flight interferes with existing use of the land below, is imminently dangerous to persons or property, or violates federal air commerce regulations. Prohibits landing a drone on another person's land or water without the owner's consent, except in case of forced landing with liability for damages. Operators may operate freely over their own property. Amended in 2025 to add criminal penalties for unlawful low or dangerous flight.
W.S. 6-5-214Drones Over Correctional Facilities
Prohibits operating a drone over or on the grounds of a penal institution to photograph, surveil, record, or convey contraband. Conduct involving delivery of deadly weapons via drone is prosecuted as felony. Other violations of photography, surveillance, or standard contraband conveyance are typically misdemeanor.
W.S. 6-3-414 (criminal); W.S. 40-27-101 (civil)Trespass to Unlawfully Collect Resource Data
Criminalizes entering private land without permission to collect resource data (including agriculture, minerals, geology, habitat, water, and soil data) by any means, including drone photography and recording. Creates parallel civil trespass liability. Originally enacted to address environmental monitoring of private ranching operations. Note: Tenth Circuit Federal Court (Western Watersheds Project v. Michael) struck down subsection allowing prosecution for collecting data from adjacent or proximate public land; core private-land entry and collection provisions remain in effect.
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, General Hunting Regulation, Chapter 2, Section 12 and Section 20Aircraft Prohibition for Hunting and Game Scouting
Prohibits using any aircraft, including drones, to spot, locate, and aid in the taking of any big game animal from August 1 through January 31. Prohibits use of aircraft to aid in taking any trophy game animal during any open season. Section 20 separately bars real-time video and transmitting imaging devices used to aid in taking big or trophy game. Wyoming Game and Fish explicitly interprets 'aircraft' to include drones and unmanned aircraft systems. Scouting with a drone during closed season is illegal even without weapon or hunting intent.
W.S. 10-4-101 et seq.Wyoming Aeronautics Commission Authority Over UAS Takeoff and Landing
Establishes that the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission may promulgate reasonable rules governing where unmanned aircraft may take off and land, in coordination with the unmanned aircraft industry and political subdivisions. Explicitly prohibits the Commission from regulating unmanned aircraft operation in navigable airspace (federal domain). Operators are free to fly over their own property. Makes it unlawful to land an unmanned aircraft on another person's property without consent (except forced landing).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone over critical infrastructure (photograph, loiter, or further crime) - first offense | Class B Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 6 months | County and District Attorneys, Local Law Enforcement | Applies to refineries, substations, dams, pipelines, prisons, military sites, and other designated critical infrastructure. FAA-authorized operators, government agencies, infrastructure owners, and landowners over their own property are exempt. |
| Drone over critical infrastructure - second or subsequent offense | Felony | Up to $5,000 | Up to 2 years | County and District Attorneys, Local Law Enforcement | Enhanced penalty for repeat critical infrastructure violations. |
| Unlawful low or dangerous drone flight (W.S. 10-4-303) | Misdemeanor | Up to $750 | Up to 6 months | Local Law Enforcement | Flight that interferes with existing land use or is imminently dangerous to persons or property. |
| Landing drone on another person's property without consent | Misdemeanor | Up to $750 | Up to 6 months | Local Law Enforcement | Exception: forced landing (operator liable for damages). |
| Drone over correctional facility (photograph, surveil, record, or convey contraband) | Misdemeanor to Felony | Varies | Up to 1 year (misdemeanor); enhanced for felony conduct | Corrections Department, Local Law Enforcement | Elevated to felony if delivery of deadly weapon is involved. |
| Using drone to collect resource data on private land without permission | Civil Trespass (Criminal also possible) | Damages as determined by court | Varies by criminal classification | Private civil action; County/District Attorneys for criminal violations | Includes photography, recording, and mapping for agricultural, mineral, geological, habitat, water, or soil data. Adjacent/proximate public land collection subsections struck down by Tenth Circuit; core private-land provisions remain. |
| Using drone to scout or aid in taking game (Aug 1-Jan 31 big game; any season trophy game) | Wildlife Regulation Violation | Determined by Game and Fish Commission | Determined by Game and Fish Commission | Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wardens | Scouting is illegal even without weapon or intent to harvest. |
| Operating drone in National Park Service units (Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Devils Tower, Fossil Butte) | Federal Misdemeanor | Up to $5,000 | Up to 6 months | National Park Service, Federal Court | Federal offense under 36 CFR § 1.5. Equipment subject to confiscation. Applies to launching, landing, or operating within any NPS boundary. |
Drone over critical infrastructure (photograph, loiter, or further crime) - first offense
Applies to refineries, substations, dams, pipelines, prisons, military sites, and other designated critical infrastructure. FAA-authorized operators, government agencies, infrastructure owners, and landowners over their own property are exempt.
Drone over critical infrastructure - second or subsequent offense
Enhanced penalty for repeat critical infrastructure violations.
Unlawful low or dangerous drone flight (W.S. 10-4-303)
Flight that interferes with existing land use or is imminently dangerous to persons or property.
Landing drone on another person's property without consent
Exception: forced landing (operator liable for damages).
Drone over correctional facility (photograph, surveil, record, or convey contraband)
Elevated to felony if delivery of deadly weapon is involved.
Using drone to collect resource data on private land without permission
Includes photography, recording, and mapping for agricultural, mineral, geological, habitat, water, or soil data. Adjacent/proximate public land collection subsections struck down by Tenth Circuit; core private-land provisions remain.
Using drone to scout or aid in taking game (Aug 1-Jan 31 big game; any season trophy game)
Scouting is illegal even without weapon or intent to harvest.
Operating drone in National Park Service units (Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Devils Tower, Fossil Butte)
Federal offense under 36 CFR § 1.5. Equipment subject to confiscation. Applies to launching, landing, or operating within any NPS boundary.
Registration, Fees & Taxes
No additional state registration or fees in Wyoming
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
Wyoming does not require state-level drone registration. Operators must comply with federal FAA registration ($5 for 3 years) for drones over 0.55 lbs. No separate Wyoming state drone license exists. Commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; recreational operators must pass the TRUST test (both federal requirements, not state). The Wyoming Aeronautics Commission (WYDOT) has statutory authority to make rules about where drones take off and land but has not imposed additional state registration or licensing requirements beyond federal FAA mandates.
Wyoming State Parks require prior written permission from the park superintendent for drone operations on state park property. This is park-by-park authorization, not a universal permit system. No blanket statewide state-park ban exists; authorization is determined case-by-case.
Wyoming does not mandate liability insurance for drone operations at the state level. Commercial operators are strongly advised to carry insurance for liability protection.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Remote ID (Effective March 16, 2024)
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information showing real-time location and identification of the aircraft.
Wyoming drone operators must ensure compliance. Operators may use Standard Remote ID (broadcast module) or operate within FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs).
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operations
Commercial drone operations in Wyoming require FAA Remote Pilot Certificate.
Wyoming does not impose additional state-level commercial licensing. Commercial operators must pass FAA aeronautical knowledge test, maintain Part 107 certificate (24-month validity), register aircraft with FAA, carry visible registration number, maintain visual line of sight, stay under 400 feet AGL, and follow all airspace rules.
Recreational Operations Under 49 USC 44809
Recreational drone flying permitted under federal exception for limited operations.
Recreational operators in Wyoming must pass the TRUST test (free, online), maintain FAA drone registration, keep registration number visible on aircraft, stay under 400 feet AGL in uncontrolled airspace, maintain visual line of sight, and follow airspace rules. No Wyoming state license or test required.
Controlled Airspace Authorization (Class B, C, D, E)
Flight in controlled airspace requires LAANC approval or specific FAA authorization.
Wyoming has Class D controlled airspace at Cheyenne, Casper, and Jackson airports. LAANC provides automated authorization. Class B (Denver border) and Class C areas also apply at state boundaries. F.E. Warren national-defense airspace requires specific FAA authorization; flights there are extremely restricted.
National Park Service Drone Ban (36 CFR § 1.5 and Policy Memo 14-05)
Complete prohibition on launching, landing, or operating drones in all National Park Service units.
Wyoming NPS units include Yellowstone National Park (2.2M acres), Grand Teton National Park (310K acres), Devils Tower National Monument, Fossil Butte National Monument, and others. Violations are federal misdemeanor offenses with penalties up to 6 months imprisonment, $5,000 fine, and equipment confiscation.
National Forest and BLM Land Regulations
Drones generally permitted on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management property with limitations.
Wyoming's national forests (Bridger-Teton, Shoshone, Medicine Bow, Bighorn) and BLM lands permit drone operations outside wilderness areas, active fire areas, or closure orders. Operators must check with local forest/BLM office for specific restrictions. Drones cannot take off or land in designated wilderness areas.
Wyoming State Parks Authorization
Drones permitted in Wyoming state parks with prior written permission from park superintendent.
Unlike national parks, Wyoming state parks do not impose blanket drone ban. However, each park requires prior authorization from superintendent. Sensitive cultural and historical sites may be restricted case-by-case. Contact individual park offices before operations.
Remote Pilot Certificate Exam Availability
FAA Part 107 testing available at limited Wyoming locations.
Scheduled testing centers exist in Cheyenne, Casper, and a few smaller Wyoming cities. Pilots should schedule exams in advance as availability is more limited than in more populated states.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Wyoming 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 three Wyoming airports: Cheyenne Regional Airport (Class D), Casper/Natrona County International Airport (Class D), and Jackson Hole Airport (Class D). LAANC provides automated near-real-time authorization for flights under 400 feet in controlled airspace. Flights in controlled airspace at these airports require LAANC approval or manual FAA coordination.
Major Airports
CYS — Cheyenne Regional Airport (Class D; adjacent to F.E. Warren Air Force Base national-defense airspace)CPR — Casper/Natrona County International Airport (Class D; center of energy corridor)JAC — Jackson Hole Airport (Class D; located within Grand Teton National Park)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may be issued around large events, emergency response operations, and presidential or VIP movements. Wyoming's most significant persistent airspace restriction is the national-defense airspace around F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, which effectively creates a zero-foot ceiling for civilian drone operations without specific FAA authorization. All operators should check B4UFLY and UAS Facility Maps before every flight.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Osprey Nest Drone Harassment Incident, Yellowstone Lamar Valley
enforcementTourist operated drone near osprey nest at Lamar Valley turnout in Yellowstone. Osprey pair panicked and abandoned nest. California witness photographed incident and confronted pilot. Pilot responded by landing drone on witness's vehicle and flying it above witness's head in apparent intimidation. Park rangers cited individual for violating NPS drone ban. Incident one of multiple 2025 Yellowstone drone violations.
Grand Prismatic Spring Drone Crash, Yellowstone National Park
enforcementDutch tourist lost control of drone over Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring (largest hot spring in country, over 120 feet deep). Drone not recovered. Operator fined $3,200 and ordered to pay restitution. Landmark case established precedent for NPS drone enforcement and remains reference case for seriousness of national park drone restrictions.
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wyoming | UW requires drone operators to coordinate with campus police and risk management before conducting operations on university property. War Memorial Stadium is subject to a temporary flight restriction (TFR) during athletic events. Restrictions: Prior coordination with campus police and risk management required. Stadium TFR in effect during athletic events. No flights without prior approval. | Yes | Risk Management Office / Campus Police — (307) 766-4357 |
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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