2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Salt Lake County, Utah.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational drone flying in Salt Lake County is governed primarily by FAA Part 107 / 49 USC §44809 (TRUST test, sub-400 ft AGL, visual line of sight, no flight in controlled airspace without LAANC authorization) and Utah state law. Critical Salt Lake County constraint: nearly the entire Salt Lake Valley sits within the Class B airspace of Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC) — recreational pilots MUST obtain LAANC authorization before flying anywhere from downtown SLC east to Holladay and south to Sandy. Utah preempts local drone ordinances under Utah Code §72-14-103, but property owners and park managers may still restrict drones on their land. Drone flights are PROHIBITED in Antelope Island State Park (March–November), restricted in Great Salt Lake State Park (permit only), and require written permission from the park manager for all Utah State Parks per R651-602-8.
Utah Code §76-6-206(2)(a) — Criminal trespass by unmanned aircraft
A person commits criminal trespass and is guilty of a class B misdemeanor if, under circumstances not amounting to burglary as defined in Section 76-6-202, 76-6-203, or 76-6-204 or a violation of Section 76-10-2402, the person operates an unmanned aircraft over private property: (i) without the owner's authorization; (ii) without authority of law; or (iii) under circumstances that constitute a ...
Commercial drone work in Salt Lake County (real estate photography, construction progress mapping, inspections, surveying, ski-resort marketing) requires the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate plus FAA registration of every aircraft over 0.55 lb. Because the Salt Lake Valley is blanketed by KSLC Class B airspace (and Hill AFB Class D restrictions to the north), nearly every commercial mission requires LAANC authorization or a Part 107 Waiver. Utah preempts city/county commercial drone ordinances under Utah Code §72-14-103, but operators are subject to Utah's drone trespass (§76-6-206), voyeurism (§76-9-702.7), wildfire (§65A-3-2.5), and correctional-facility (§76-10-2402) statutes. Drones used in critical infrastructure inspections, public safety, or first-responder support may apply for FAA Part 107.39 waivers (flight over people) and Part 107 BVLOS waivers.
Utah Code §72-14-103 — Local regulation of unmanned aircraft preempted
Except as authorized by federal law, a political subdivision may not: (a) enact or enforce an ordinance, regulation, or resolution regarding an unmanned aircraft; or (b) require an operator to obtain a permit or pay a fee to operate an unmanned aircraft. (2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), a political subdivision may regulate the operation of an unmanned aircraft on or above property that the p...
5 cities in Salt Lake County have their own drone rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
2 verified rules • Commercial Drones, Recreational Drones
2 verified rules • Commercial Drones, Recreational Drones
2 verified rules • Commercial Drones, Recreational Drones
2 verified rules • Commercial Drones, Recreational Drones
1 verified rule • Recreational Drones
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