Las Cruces has no local recreational drone ordinance; FAA rules govern. Register drones over 0.55 lbs, pass the TRUST test, fly below 400 feet, and avoid Las Cruces International Airport and nearby restricted military airspace.
Recreational drone flying in Las Cruces is regulated by the FAA under the Exception for Recreational Flyers (49 U.S.C. 44809), not by city ordinance. Drones from 0.55 to 55 lbs must be registered ($5 for three years), operators must pass the TRUST test, fly below 400 feet, keep the aircraft in visual line of sight, and yield to crewed aircraft. Las Cruces International Airport (LRU) sits southwest of the city, and extensive restricted and special-use airspace tied to White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base lies to the east. Night flights require anti-collision lighting visible for three miles.
FAA civil penalties reach $27,500 per violation, with criminal charges for reckless operation or flying into restricted military airspace. Las Cruces imposes no separate local drone fine.
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