Mississippi Statewide Rule
Mississippi Recreational Drone State Restrictions
Key Facts
- Privacy statute
- Miss. Code § 97-29-61 (felony)
- FAA registration
- Required over 0.55 lb
- Max altitude
- 400 feet AGL
- Critical infrastructure
- Miss. Code § 97-47-5
- Local airspace rules
- Federally preempted
Summary
Mississippi regulates recreational drone use through state criminal statutes on voyeurism and critical-infrastructure surveillance, while federal FAA rules govern airspace. The Peeping Tom statute covers drones, and the UAS Protection Act protects critical infrastructure.
(b) Any person who looks through a window, hole or opening, or otherwise views by means of any instrumentality, including, but not limited to, a periscope, telescope, binoculars, drones, camera, motion-picture camera, camcorder or mobile phone, into the interior of a bedroom, bathroom, changing room, fitting room, dressing room, spa, massage room or therapy room or tanning booth, or the interior of any other area in which the occupant has a reasonable expectation of privacy, with the intent to invade the privacy of a person or persons inside and without the consent or knowledge of every person present, for the lewd, licentious and indecent purpose of spying upon the occupant or occupants thereof, shall be guilty of a felony.
Full Breakdown
Under Miss. Code Section 97-29-61, the Peeping Tom/voyeurism statute (which expressly lists drones), it is a felony to use a drone to view or record a person in a bedroom, bathroom, or other place with a reasonable expectation of privacy for a lewd purpose. The Mississippi Unmanned Aircraft Systems Protection Act of 2021 (Miss. Code Sections 97-47-1 through 97-47-9) makes it a misdemeanor to surveil or record critical infrastructure without the owner's written consent. Recreational pilots must also follow FAA rules: registration of drones over 0.55 pounds, flying below 400 feet, visual line of sight, and avoiding restricted airspace. FAA authority preempts most local airspace regulation, though cities may regulate takeoff and landing on city property.
Violations & Penalties
Drone voyeurism under Miss. Code Section 97-29-61 is a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment; critical-infrastructure surveillance under Section 97-47-5 is a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Mississippi cities regulate where recreational drones fly?
Is it illegal to photograph neighbors with a drone in Mississippi?
Sources
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