Nevada Statewide Rule
Nevada Drone Preemption And Critical Facility Restrictions
Key Facts
- Private-property trespass
- Below 250 feet (NRS 493.103)
- Critical facility rule
- NRS 493.109
- Buffer
- 500 ft horizontal / 250 ft vertical
- Airport buffer
- Within 5 miles
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor; no local preemption statute
Summary
Nevada regulates drones by statute: NRS 493.103 lets a property owner sue for trespass when a drone flies below 250 feet over their land, and NRS 493.109 bars flying within 500 feet horizontally or 250 feet vertically of a critical facility, or within 5 miles of an airport, without consent.
NRS 493.103 Unmanned aerial vehicles: Action for trespass against owner or operator; exceptions; award of treble damages for injury to person or property; award of attorney's fees and costs and injunctive relief. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person who owns or lawfully occupies real property in this State may bring an action for trespass against the owner or operator of an unmanned aerial vehicle that is flown at a height of less than 250 feet over the property if: (a) The owner or operator of the unmanned aerial vehicle has flown the unmanned aerial vehicle over the property at a height of less than 250 feet on at least one previous occasion;
Full Breakdown
NRS 493.103 creates a civil trespass action against a drone operator who flies below 250 feet over private property after the owner has objected, with treble damages available. NRS 493.109 makes it unlawful to operate a drone within a horizontal distance of 500 feet or a vertical distance of 250 feet of a critical facility, such as a power plant, water or wastewater plant, refinery, pipeline, mine, or prison, or within 5 miles of an airport, without written consent. NRS 493.106 separately bans weaponized drones. Nevada has no statute expressly preempting local drone rules; cities may still regulate takeoff and landing on government-owned land. Commercial pilots must also follow FAA Part 107.
Violations & Penalties
Operating a drone near a critical facility or airport under NRS 493.109 is a misdemeanor. Flying below 250 feet over private property can also create civil trespass liability with treble damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my city pass its own drone ordinance?
Can I fly my drone over a neighbor's yard?
Sources
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