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Clarksville, TN Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Clarksville hobby drone rule
None
City park drone rule
None in code
Surveillance offense
Class C misdemeanor
School-grounds offense effective
July 1, 2026
Drone over a private yard
Can be criminal trespass

Summary

No Clarksville ordinance regulates hobby drones and no park rule names them. Tennessee makes it a Class C misdemeanor to capture an image of a person or private property with intent to conduct surveillance.

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

Source: City of Clarksville Code of OrdinancesView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-903(a)(1), using an unmanned aircraft to capture an image of an individual or privately owned real property with intent to conduct surveillance is a Class C misdemeanor. Destroying the image as soon as you learn it was captured unlawfully, without showing or sharing it, is a defense. Public Chapter 868 added subdivision (a)(5) effective July 1, 2026, covering flights over a public K-12 school's grounds with surveillance intent and without permission from a school administrator or the director of schools. Section 39-14-405(d) makes flying into airspace above private land below navigable airspace criminal trespass.

Violations & Fines

Class C misdemeanor: up to 30 days and a fine up to $50. Criminal trespass by drone is also a Class C misdemeanor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly a drone in a Clarksville city park?
The Code of Ordinances contains no park drone rule. Section 12-506 lets the parks and recreation director set posted park rules and hours, so check signage on site.
Is flying over a neighbor's yard illegal?
It can be. Section 39-14-405(d) defines entering, for criminal trespass, to include causing a drone to enter airspace above an owner's land below FAA navigable airspace.
Can I fly near a Clarksville school?
Not over a public K-12 school's grounds to conduct surveillance without permission from an administrator or the director of schools. That became a Class C misdemeanor July 1, 2026.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Clarksville

All Clarksville rules

Compare Clarksville to another location·View the Tennessee drone rules overview

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