Houston, TX Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- Amount
- $5
- Measurement
- 400 ft
- Visual line-of-sight required
- Visual line-of-sight required at all times
- Drones banned in
- Drones banned in most Houston parks without permit
- LAANC required near
- LAANC required near IAH, HOU, and Ellington airports
- Texas Government Code
- Texas Government Code Ch. 423 restricts photo surveillance
Summary
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.
Sec. 423.002. NONAPPLICABILITY. (a) It is lawful to capture an image using an unmanned aircraft in this state:(1) for the purpose of professional or scholarly research and development or for another academic purpose by a person acting on behalf of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my drone in Houston?
Where can I fly a drone in Houston?
Do I need a permit to fly recreationally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Houston to another location·View the Texas drone rules overview
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Recreational Drones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle recreational drones.