Tyler, TX Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- FAA registration
- 0.55 lb and over
- Max altitude
- 400 feet
- TRUST test
- Required for hobbyists
- Surveillance
- Class C misdemeanor (Texas)
- Local ordinance
- None
Summary
Recreational drones in Tyler follow FAA rules, not a local ordinance. Register any drone weighing 0.55 pounds or more, pass the TRUST test, and stay below 400 feet. Texas law makes drone surveillance of people or private property a crime.
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. ... An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Full Breakdown
The City of Tyler has no separate recreational drone ordinance; hobby flights are governed by FAA rules and Texas privacy law. Under the FAA Exception for Limited Recreational Operations (49 U.S.C. 44809), pilots must register drones weighing 0.55 pounds or more, carry proof of the TRUST safety test, and fly below 400 feet within visual line of sight. Texas Government Code Sec. 423.003 makes it a Class C misdemeanor to use a drone to capture an image of a person or private property with intent to conduct surveillance. Because Tyler city parks close at sunset, after-dark launches from parkland are off-limits.
Violations & Fines
The FAA can fine operators who fly unregistered or unsafely. Using a drone to capture images of a person or private property for surveillance is a Class C misdemeanor under Texas Government Code Sec. 423.003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my drone in Tyler?
Can I film my neighbor's yard with a drone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tyler
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Tyler to another location·View the Texas drone rules overview
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