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.
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.
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.
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 establishes citywide quiet hours from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, during which sound plainly audible across a property line in resident...
Austin, TX
Austin enforces Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683 and Austin City Code Chapter 12-5: a vehicle on public right-of-way is abandoned if inoperable for more...
Austin, TX
Austin Land Development Code Chapter 25-2 Subchapter F caps residential fences at 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards without a permit. C...
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 3-4 requires dogs in public to be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limited exceptions for designated off-leash area...
Austin, TX
Consumer fireworks are illegal to possess, use, or sell within Austin city limits. Violations can carry fines up to $2,000. Permits are issued only for profe...
Austin, TX
Austin imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The sign code (LDC 25-10...
See how Austin's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.