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Salt Lake County, UT Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Airspace Trap: Most of Salt Lake Valley is KSLC Class B. LAANC required
Federal Rule: 49 USC §44809 + Part 107 (recreational)
TRUST Test: Required for all recreational pilots
Max Altitude: 400 ft AGL (lower or zero near KSLC)
State Preemption: Utah Code §72-14-103: no local drone ordinances
Trespass with Drone: Utah Code §76-6-206. Class B misdemeanor
Antelope Island: Drones banned March–November
Utah State Parks: R651-602-8: written park-manager permission required

Summary

Recreational drone flying in Salt Lake County is governed primarily by FAA Part 107 / 49 USC §44809 (TRUST test, sub-400 ft AGL, visual line of sight, no flight in controlled airspace without LAANC authorization) and Utah state law. Critical Salt Lake County constraint: nearly the entire Salt Lake Valley sits within the Class B airspace of Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC), recreational pilots MUST obtain LAANC authorization before flying anywhere from downtown SLC east to Holladay and south to Sandy. Utah preempts local drone ordinances under Utah Code §72-14-103, but property owners and park managers may still restrict drones on their land. Drone flights are PROHIBITED in Antelope Island State Park (March–November), restricted in Great Salt Lake State Park (permit only), and require written permission from the park manager for all Utah State Parks per R651-602-8.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Salt Lake County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A person commits criminal trespass and is guilty of a class B misdemeanor if, under circumstances not amounting to burglary as defined in Section 76-6-202, 76-6-203, or 76-6-204 or a violation of Section 76-10-2402, the person operates an unmanned aircraft over private property: (i) without the owner's authorization; (ii) without authority of law; or (iii) under circumstances that constitute a substantial threat of injury to a person or damage to property.

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Full Breakdown

55 lb with the FAA ($5/3yrs), (4) fly under 400 ft AGL, (5) maintain visual line of sight, (6) yield to manned aircraft, (7) not fly over people or moving vehicles, and (8) obtain LAANC authorization before any flight in controlled airspace. The Salt Lake Valley airspace problem: SLC International Airport's Class B airspace covers most of the valley floor below 10,000 ft MSL. Use the B4UFly app or Aloft to file a LAANC request, most ceilings near the airport are 0 ft (no recreational flight allowed).

5 prohibits drone flight in wildfire temporary flight restrictions (TFR), Class B misdemeanor up to second-degree felony if it interferes with firefighting aircraft. Utah State Parks (R651-602-8) require written permission from each park manager. Salt Lake County does not have a county-park-wide drone ban posted in the code, but individual park rules and the state preemption mean the practical rule is: get permission for any flight over a county or city park.

Violations & Fines

Federal: FAA can suspend a recreational TRUST certification or fine for unsafe operation up to $32,666 per violation. State: criminal trespass with a drone is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months jail + $1,000 fine) under Utah Code §76-6-206; voyeurism with a drone is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year + $2,500) under §76-9-702.7; wildfire TFR violations range from Class B misdemeanor ($2,500 fine) to second-degree felony ($15,000 fine + prison) per §65A-3-2.5; drone over a correctional facility is a Class A misdemeanor per §76-10-2402. Operating in SLC International's Class B airspace without LAANC authorization can trigger FAA enforcement plus airport-police response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly my drone in Liberty Park or Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City?

Probably not without LAANC authorization: both parks sit within KSLC Class B airspace. Also confirm with Salt Lake City Parks whether the specific park has a no-drone posting; while Utah preempts local drone laws, parks departments can restrict use of their own property as a permit/use condition.

Do I need to register my drone if I fly only in my backyard in Sandy?

Yes if the drone weighs more than 0.55 lb (250 g). FAA registration is required regardless of where you fly. You still need the TRUST certificate too. And your backyard in Sandy is in Class B airspace: even there, technically a LAANC authorization is required for flights above the ceiling (often 0 ft).

Can Salt Lake City ban drones from its parks?

Utah Code §72-14-103 preempts local drone regulations, but courts have treated city-park use rules as proprietary (the city as landowner) rather than regulatory. Most Salt Lake County cities now post signage prohibiting drones in specific high-traffic parks and enforce via trespass, which is permitted.

What happens if I fly during a wildfire near the Wasatch foothills?

Under Utah Code §65A-3-2.5, flying a drone within a wildfire Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is a Class B misdemeanor ($2,500). If your drone forces aerial firefighters to ground their aircraft, the charge escalates as high as a second-degree felony ($15,000 fine, up to 15 years prison).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Salt Lake County

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All Salt Lake County rules

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