Texas Government Code Chapter 423 preempts local commercial drone rules and FAA Part 107 governs commercial flight nationwide. Texas cities cannot require their own drone permits or fees for Part 107 operators delivering or surveying.
Commercial drone operations in Texas are dual-regulated. The FAA's 14 CFR Part 107 requires a Remote Pilot Certificate, registration, Remote ID, and adherence to airspace rules including LAANC authorizations near airports. On top of federal rules, Texas Government Code Chapter 423 preempts most local regulation while creating state offenses for unlawful surveillance, flight over correctional facilities, and operations near critical infrastructure. Section 423.009 prevents cities from imposing their own permitting schemes on commercial drone work. Cities retain limited authority to manage takeoff and landing on city-owned land and to enforce trespass, noise, and reckless-conduct laws of general applicability.
FAA violations include civil penalties up to $32,666 per violation. Texas surveillance offenses are Class B/A misdemeanors and capital-infrastructure offenses can be state-jail felonies.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Katy, TX
Katy's Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance (Exhibit 14A) do not set a numeric maximum fence height for residential lots and require no building permit fo...
Katy, TX
Katy property owners must keep lots free of rubbish, brush, and other debris under Chapter 6 (Ordinance 01023). Weeds taller than nine inches, or any vegetat...
Katy, TX
Katy prohibits the manufacture, sale, possession, and discharge of all fireworks inside city limits under Article 5.07 of its Code of Ordinances. Violators f...
Katy, TX
Katy bans construction or use of any barbecue pit or open flame within 10 feet of a multifamily building wall, or beneath a balcony, porch, roof overhang, or...
Katy, TX
Katy requires a building permit for converting a garage to living space under the 2021 IRC and 2023 NEC adopted Jan 1, 2024. Conversions cannot create an unr...
Katy, TX
Katy STR Article 4.10 requires parking to comply with the zoning ordinance, prohibits required parking in public right-of-way, alleys, or access easements, a...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fort Bend County.
See how Katy's commercial drones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.