Austin, TX Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- Drone Registration
- FAA registration required for drones >0.55 lbs ($5/3 years)
- 400 ft AGL
- 400 ft AGL altitude cap outside controlled airspace
- Drones prohibited in
- Drones prohibited in Austin city parks without permit
- Airspace Access
- LAANC required throughout Austin under AUS Class C
- Texas Gov Code
- Texas Gov Code 423 limits aerial photography
- Pilot License
- TRUST certificate required for recreational pilots
Summary
Austin allows recreational drone flight under FAA rules with park-specific bans. Pilots must register drones over 0.55 lbs ($5/3 years), complete the TRUST test, fly below 400 feet AGL, and maintain visual line of sight. Austin Parks & Recreation prohibits drone takeoff and landing in city parks, including Zilker, Lady Bird Lake, and the Greenbelt, without a permit.
Sec. 423.003. OFFENSE: ILLEGAL USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TO CAPTURE IMAGE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person uses an unmanned aircraft to capture an image of an individual or privately owned real property in this state with the intent to conduct surveillance on the individual or property captured in the image. (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. (c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person destroyed the image: (1) as soon as the person had knowledge that the image was captured in violation of this section; and (2) without disclosing, displaying, or distributing the image to a third party.
Full Breakdown
Austin's recreational drone rules combine federal FAA preemption with local park ordinances. Under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, only the FAA may regulate navigable airspace, but cities retain authority over launch and landing on city property. Austin Parks & Recreation Department prohibits operating drones in any city park, preserve, or greenbelt without a permit, including Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake Trail, Barton Springs, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Recreational pilots must register any drone over 0.55 pounds with the FAA, pay the $5 three-year fee, complete the free TRUST test, maintain visual line of sight, fly below 400 feet AGL, yield to manned aircraft, and avoid stadiums (Q2, Moody Center, DKR-Texas Memorial) and TFRs (especially around the Capitol and ACL Fest). AUS Class C airspace covers most of Austin, requiring LAANC authorization.
Violations & Fines
Austin park rule violations are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500. Texas Government Code 423 image-capture violations are Class C misdemeanors ($500). FAA penalties go up to $27,500 civil and federal criminal exposure up to $250,000 plus three years imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my drone in Austin?
Where can I fly recreationally in Austin?
Do I need a permit to fly recreationally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Austin
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Austin to another location·View the Texas drone rules overview
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