Vermont Statewide Rule

Vermont Commercial Drone Operations Federally Preempted

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Vermont (2026)

Key Facts

Certification: FAA Part 107 license
VT privacy: 20 V.S.A. Section 4622
Registration: Required for all commercial UAS
Local authority: Land use only
Waivers: Required for advanced ops

Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: Vermont General Assembly

Summary

Commercial drone operations in Vermont are federally regulated under FAA Part 107, with Vermont law adding statewide privacy and law enforcement limits, while municipalities cannot directly regulate flight, airspace, or pilot certification.

(a) Any use of drones by any person, including a law enforcement agency, shall comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements and guidelines. (b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that any person who uses a model aircraft as defined in the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 shall operate the aircraft according to the guidelines of community-based organizations, such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code.

Source: Vermont General AssemblyView official code

Full Breakdown

Commercial unmanned aircraft operators must hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107, register their aircraft, and follow operational rules including visual line of sight, altitude limits, and waiver requirements for night, beyond-visual-line-of-sight, and over-people operations. Vermont law under 20 V.S.A. Section 4622 governs government drone use, and Vermont privacy and trespass law applies to commercial operators capturing images. Municipalities cannot license commercial drone operators or regulate flight altitude, but may control take-off, landing, and operations on municipally owned land. Critical infrastructure operators may face additional state and federal restrictions.

Violations & Penalties

Operating without certification, violating Part 107 rules, or capturing imagery without consent in protected contexts can lead to FAA fines, certificate suspension, and Vermont civil claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Vermont town require its own commercial drone permit?

Towns cannot license drone flight or pilots due to federal preemption, but they may regulate use of town property as a take-off or landing site and require permits for those uses.

What state-level rules apply to commercial drones in Vermont?

Vermont applies general privacy, trespass, and harassment laws to drone operators, and 20 V.S.A. Section 4622 governs how state and local agencies may use drones for surveillance.

Sources

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.