Little Elm, TX Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Recreational drone operation in Little Elm falls under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules for recreational flyers and Texas state law. Under FAA rules, recreational drones must weigh under 55 pounds, fly below 400 feet above ground level, maintain visual line of sight, and yield to manned aircraft. Drones must be registered with the FAA if they weigh more than 0.55 pounds. Little Elm is located within the DFW Class B airspace, which means recreational drone operators must use the FAA LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) system or obtain FAA authorization before flying in areas where airspace restrictions apply. Texas Government Code Chapter 423 prohibits using drones to capture images of private property or individuals on private property with the intent to conduct surveillance without consent. Violations of this state law can result in civil liability and criminal misdemeanor charges. The Town of Little Elm may restrict drone launches in town parks and public facilities through its parks rules. Flying drones near Lewisville Lake requires awareness of any temporary flight restrictions issued for events or emergency operations. The town does not issue separate drone permits for recreational use.