Universal City, TX Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- Airspace class
- Class D, Randolph AFB
- LAANC required
- Yes, for most of city
- FAA registration
- Required over 250g
- State law
- TX Gov Code Ch 423
- Max altitude
- 400 feet AGL
Summary
Recreational drone flight in Universal City is governed by FAA rules and Texas Government Code Chapter 423. Randolph AFB restricted airspace covers most of the city, requiring LAANC authorization.
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.
Full Breakdown
Recreational drone operators in Universal City must register drones over 250 grams with the FAA, pass the TRUST recreational knowledge test, and follow Part 107 community-based organization rules. Critically, Universal City sits directly adjacent to Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, formerly Randolph Air Force Base, and most of the city falls within Class D controlled airspace extending from the surface to 2,800 feet MSL. Recreational flight in controlled airspace requires prior authorization through the FAA LAANC system, typically obtained via apps like Aloft or AirMap.
Flying near or over Randolph AFB without authorization is a federal violation and may be treated as a threat under 18 USC 39B. Texas Government Code Chapter 423 independently restricts drone surveillance of private property and critical infrastructure, creating a state offense for capturing images of individuals on private property with intent to conduct surveillance. City parks may have additional no-fly rules, and drones must stay below 400 feet, within visual line of sight, and away from emergency response scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone in Universal City for fun?
What happens if I fly over Randolph AFB?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Universal City
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Universal City to another location·View the Texas drone rules overview
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Recreational Drones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bexar County handle recreational drones.