Virginia preempts most local drone regulation, reserving aircraft operation rules to the state and FAA, while criminalizing surveillance overflights and trespass-style use against private individuals.
Va. Code Section 15.2-926.3 preempts local government from regulating the ownership, operation, or use of unmanned aircraft systems, except for certain time-place-manner restrictions on take-off and landing on locality-owned property. The FAA retains exclusive airspace authority. Section 18.2-130.1 criminalizes use of a drone to peep into a dwelling, and Section 19.2-60.1 restricts law-enforcement drone surveillance. Operators must follow FAA Part 107 or recreational TRUST rules and register drones over 0.55 pounds.
Drone peeping is a Class 1 misdemeanor; violating local airspace ordinances is generally unenforceable due to state preemption.
Fairfax, VA
City of Fairfax Code Chapter 62 (Noise) establishes nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on weekdays and 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM on weekends and holida...
Fairfax, VA
The City of Fairfax primarily enforces noise using a plainly-audible standard, but commercial and industrial zones carry implied decibel limits of roughly 65...
Fairfax, VA
Commercial establishments in the City of Fairfax must keep HVAC, loading, trash compaction, and amplified sound within limits set by Chapter 62 and the zonin...
Fairfax, VA
City of Fairfax prohibits using RVs or campers for habitation on public streets. VA Code §46.2-1222.1 authorizes Fairfax City to regulate or prohibit parking...
Fairfax, VA
Commercial vehicles in the City of Fairfax are restricted from overnight parking on residential streets and in residential zoning districts. Vehicles over 12...
Fairfax, VA
On-street parking in the City of Fairfax is generally permitted in residential areas unless posted. Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, on sidewalks, b...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fairfax County.
See how other cities in Fairfax County handle recreational drones.
See how Fairfax's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
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