Houston permits recreational drones subject to FAA rules and limited park bans. Pilots must register drones over 0.55 lbs with the FAA ($5/3 years), complete the TRUST test, fly below 400 feet AGL, and keep line of sight. Houston Parks & Recreation prohibits drones in most city parks without a permit, and Memorial Park has strict no-fly zones.
Houston recreational drone use is governed by federal FAA rules plus Texas Government Code Chapter 423 (image capture) and Houston Parks & Recreation policies. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 preempts airspace regulation, but cities may regulate launch and landing on local property. Houston Parks & Recreation prohibits drone operation in city parks without a written permit, with Memorial Park, Hermann Park, and Discovery Green explicitly off-limits. Recreational pilots must register any drone over 0.55 pounds with the FAA, pay the $5 fee valid for three years, complete the free TRUST test, fly only within visual line of sight, stay below 400 feet AGL, and avoid stadiums (NRG, Minute Maid, Toyota Center) and emergency response. With IAH, Hobby, and Ellington airports nearby, much of Houston requires LAANC authorization for flight.
Houston park-rule violations are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500. Texas Government Code 423.003 image-capture violations are Class C misdemeanors ($500). FAA violations carry up to $27,500 civil penalties and federal criminal exposure.
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