Richardson, TX Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- FAA Rules
- FAA 400 ft altitude cap and visual line of sight required
- Registration
- TRUST certificate and drone registration (>0.55 lbs) mandatory
- Airspace
- LAANC authorization required in DFW and Addison Class D/B airspace
- Park Launch
- No launch or landing in Richardson parks without permit
- Preemption
- TX Gov't Code 423 preempts most local flight restrictions
Summary
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.
Sec. 423.003. OFFENSE: ILLEGAL USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TO CAPTURE IMAGE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person uses an unmanned aircraft to capture an image of an individual or privately owned real property in this state with the intent to conduct surveillance on the individual or property captured in the image.(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person destroyed the image:(1) as soon as the person had knowledge that the image was captured in violation of this section; and(2) without disclosing, displaying, or distributing the image to a third party.(d) In this section, "intent" has the meaning assigned by Section 6.03, Penal Code. Added by
Full Breakdown
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly my drone in a Richardson city park?
Do I need airspace authorization in Richardson?
Can Richardson ban drones over my neighborhood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richardson
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Richardson to another location·View the Texas drone rules overview
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Recreational Drones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle recreational drones.