Tennessee preempts most local drone regulation under Tenn. Code 39-13-902 and 39-13-903, restricting cities to limited authority while state law and FAA rules govern recreational unmanned aircraft operations.
Tenn. Code Ann. Section 39-13-903 makes it a Class C misdemeanor to use a drone to capture images of persons or private property without consent in a manner that violates reasonable expectations of privacy. Section 39-13-609 prohibits drone surveillance of correctional facilities and critical infrastructure. Tennessee law generally preempts municipal drone regulation, although local airports and event-related restrictions may apply. Recreational pilots must follow FAA Part 107 hobbyist rules including registration of drones over 250 grams, line-of-sight operation, and altitude limits below 400 feet AGL.
Privacy-violating drone surveillance is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days jail and $50 fine; critical infrastructure violations escalate to Class A misdemeanors.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga does not impose a blanket spay or neuter mandate, but McKamey Animal Center sterilizes shelter pets before adoption and offers low-cost clinics f...
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga encourages microchipping for dogs and cats handled by McKamey Animal Center, and impounded animals are scanned for chips before adoption or eutha...
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga regulates vegetation through Chapter 21 (Property Maintenance), Article IV (Exterior Requirements), which requires that grass, underbrush, and we...
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga sits in a moderate wildland-urban interface along Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain, and Stringer’s Ridge, and CFD coordinates with TN Division o...
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Fire Department enforces the adopted Tennessee Fire Code on residential propane cylinder storage, capping above-ground container size and requiri...
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga has no general City Code ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, garden statues, or yard decorations on private residential property. Items must re...
See how Chattanooga'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.