FAA Proposes No-Fly Zones for Drones Near Key Facilities
Published Date: 5/6/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Facility Owners Can Request Drone No‑Fly Zones
If you own or operate a permanent fixed site facility, you may apply to FAA for an unmanned aircraft flight restriction (UAFR) to keep drones away. Eligible facility types explicitly include critical infrastructure (per 42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)) such as energy production/transmission/distribution, oil refineries and chemical facilities, amusement parks, railroad facilities, and State prisons.
Drone Operators Face New Access Rules
If a UAFR is in effect, unmanned aircraft are restricted from operating inside the designated boundaries unless specifically allowed. Allowed operations must be conducted under Parts 91, 107, 108, 135, or 137, must broadcast Remote ID under 14 CFR part 89, transit the UAFR in the shortest practicable time, and provide notification to the fixed site facility; unauthorized operations may face civil penalties under 14 CFR part 13 or criminal penalties where applicable.
Special Five‑Year No‑Fly Zones for Sensitive Sites
The FAA may designate a Special UAFR for sensitive federal or endorsed sites where a credible threat exists; those Special UAFRs are intended to be longer-term five‑year designations. Operations in Special UAFRs require permission from the government 'using agency' and FAA Administrator approval, and Special UAFRs used for national security may be designated national defense airspace and carry criminal penalties under 49 U.S.C. 46307.
Estimated Annualized Compliance Costs
FAA estimates that under a scenario where over 9,000 eligible fixed site facilities obtain UAFRs, annualized costs would be between $21 million and $31 million, which reflects applicant unit compliance costs and government review costs. This is the projected aggregate cost range reported in the NPRM's regulatory analysis.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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