Recreational drone flight in Travis County is regulated by FAA Part 107 and 49 USC §44809. Austin-Bergstrom Class C airspace covers most of Travis County, requiring LAANC authorization. Camp Mabry (TX ARNG) restricts flight near Burnet Rd.
Recreational pilots must pass the TRUST test, register drones over 0.55 lb at FAADroneZone, and follow community-based organization safety guidelines. Austin-Bergstrom International (KAUS) operates Class C airspace extending to 10 nautical miles with a ceiling of 4,000 ft MSL, requiring LAANC authorization via B4UFLY before flight in most of eastern Travis County. Class C surface extends 5 NM radius around KAUS. Camp Mabry (36th Infantry Division HQ) is a DoD National Security UAS Facility with permanent flight restrictions published in FAA NOTAMs. Austin City Code §9-2-50 prohibits drones in city parks without permit. Texas Government Code Ch. 423 prohibits drone surveillance of individuals and critical infrastructure.
FAA civil penalties up to $27,500. Texas Gov Code Ch. 423 surveillance: Class C misdemeanor first offense, Class B repeat (up to $2,000, 180 days jail).
Travis County, TX
Texas Senate Bill 4 (2017) prohibits sanctuary policies in Travis County, requires local jails to honor ICE detainers, and bans elected officials from limiti...
Travis County, TX
Texas HB 2127 (2023) preempted local paid sick leave mandates, voiding the Austin paid sick leave ordinance previously enjoined by the Texas Third Court of A...
Travis County, TX
Texas preempts local minimum wage laws under Local Government Code Chapter 229, leaving the federal $7.25 per hour rate as the floor for most private employe...
Travis County, TX
Travis County businesses pay the Texas franchise tax administered by the Comptroller rather than a local business income tax, and personal property used in b...
Travis County, TX
Hotels and short-term rentals in Travis County collect a combined hotel occupancy tax of roughly fifteen percent, including six percent state and up to nine ...
Travis County, TX
Travis County and Austin prohibit aggressive panhandling such as touching, blocking paths, or soliciting at ATMs and bus stops, while passive sign-holding re...
See how Travis County's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.