Recreational drone use in Richardson is governed primarily by FAA Part 107 and the FAA Recreational Flyer rules, with Texas Government Code Chapter 423 preempting most local restrictions. Richardson does not have a standalone recreational drone ordinance but restricts takeoff and landing in city parks without permission.
Texas Government Code Chapter 423 broadly preempts municipal regulation of unmanned aircraft, meaning Richardson cannot restrict where or how drones fly in the air above the city. Recreational flyers must follow FAA rules: fly below 400 feet, maintain visual line of sight, pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), register drones over 0.55 lbs, and broadcast Remote ID. Richardson is within the DFW Mode C veil and sits near Addison Airport (ADS), so pilots must use LAANC authorization through B4UFLY or Aloft before flying in controlled airspace. Richardson Parks & Recreation rules prohibit launching, landing, or operating model aircraft and drones in city parks without written permission from the Parks Director, though overflight at lawful altitudes is not restricted. Privacy-based drone surveillance of private property is restricted by Texas Government Code 423.003.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Richardson code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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