Title 50 — AVIATION

50-15-2 Operation of drone--Compliance with federal law--Exemption. 50-15-3 Authorization required to operate drone over certain facilities--Violation as misdemeanor. 50-15-4 Prohibited delivery of contraband or controlled substance--Felony. 50-15-5 Eavesdropping--Violation of pr…

A political subdivision may enact or enforce ordinances that relate to the operation of a drone within the political subdivision's jurisdiction that are consistent with federal and state law. This section does not limit the authority of a political subdivision to adopt an ordinan…

Takeoff or landing of a drone within a controlled access facility, as defined in § 31-8-1 , is prohibited, except by a state agency or state agent. Takeoff or landing within any other public highway right-of-way is prohibited if the takeoff or landing is performed carelessly or i…

Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit the: (1) Take-off or landing of a drone as deemed reasonable or necessary by private or public entities for emergency or maintenance support functions or services, including the protection and maintenance of public or private c…

Nothing in this title shall preempt or intrude upon the exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States as set forth in 49 U.S.C. § 40103. Any interpretation or application of any provision of this title that contradicts the exclusive authority of the United States governm…

Any operation of a drone in the state shall comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Any drone operating under the authority of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the National Guard, is exempt from this chapter. Source: SL 2017, ch 202…

No person may operate a drone over the grounds of a prison, correctional facility, jail, juvenile detention facility, or any military facility unless expressly authorized by the administrator thereof. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Source: SL 2017, ch 202 ,…

Any person who uses a drone to deliver contraband or controlled substances to a state prison or other correctional facility is guilty of a Class 6 felony in addition to the penalty for the principal offense. Source: SL 2017, ch 202 , § 4.

No person may, except as authorized by law, intentionally use a drone to photograph, record, or otherwise observe another person in a private place where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Thi…

No person may intentionally or willfully operate a drone in a careless manner that endangers persons or property, or for voyeuristic or harassment purposes. A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Source: SL 2024, ch 194 , § 1.

No person may, except as authorized by law, land a drone on the real or personal property or the waters of a landowner who owns the real property beneath the water body, without the landowner's consent. It is an affirmative defense if the landing was a forced landing or if the la…

A person, in compliance with federal aviation regulations, may operate a drone for recreational purposes within the state. A person or business entity, doing business lawfully within the state and in compliance with federal aviation regulations, may operate or use a drone for com…

The operation of a drone, in compliance with federal aviation regulations, in the airspace over this state does not, standing alone, give rise to legal liability under the laws of this state or its political subdivisions. Source: SL 2024, ch 194 , § 4.

Consistent with the provisions of this chapter, a drone may be the instrumentality by which a tort in violation of privacy rights or trespass laws may be committed under federal or state law. Source: SL 2024, ch 194 , § 5.