Austin, Texas Drone Laws

Overview

Austin is located in Texas. Drone operations are governed by federal FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107) and may be subject to state and local ordinances.

State Regulations & Statutes

Texas regulates drones under Government Code Chapter 423 (Unmanned Aircraft). § 423.002 enumerates lawful uses including real estate photography, land surveying, journalism, search-and-rescue, and agricultural surveys. § 423.003 criminalizes non-consensual image capture of individuals or private property. § 423.004 criminalizes disclosure of unlawfully captured images. § 423.0045 prohibits drone flights over correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, sports venues during events, and within 400 ft of covered officials. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) is surrounded by Class C airspace, requiring LAANC authorization for nearly all drone operations within the Austin city limits.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• Texas Gov't Code § 423.003: Unlawful to capture images of individuals or private property without consent — Class C misdemeanor
• Texas Gov't Code § 423.004: Unlawful disclosure/distribution of captured drone images — Class C misdemeanor
• Texas Gov't Code § 423.0045: Prohibited to fly over correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, and sports venues during events
• Texas Penal Code § 42.072: Stalking via drone is a state criminal offense
• KAUS Class C airspace — surface to 4,000 ft MSL within 5 NM; LAANC authorization required for all flights
• FAA Part 107: Max 400 ft AGL, yield to manned aircraft, waiver required for flights over people
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Code: Drones prohibited in state parks without written TPWD permit
• Austin Parks & Recreation Department: City Code Section 8-1-111 prohibits certain activities in city parks including drone use without permit
• Private property: Texas trespass laws strictly enforced

Permits & Registration

Commercial (Part 107): FAA Remote Pilot Certificate required; no separate Texas state permit. Recreational: FAA registration at registerdrone.faa.gov ($5 fee, valid 3 years). LAANC authorization required for flights in KAUS Class C airspace — use Aloft, AirMap, or FAA DroneZone. Austin Parks & Recreation requires a Special Events/Filming Permit for drone operations in city parks and on city-owned land; contact (512) 974-6700. Commercial filming in Austin parks also requires coordination with Austin Film Office.

Official Statute Links

• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.423.htm
• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.42.htm
• https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/
• https://www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/rules/
• https://library.municode.com/tx/austin

Local Ordinances

Austin regulates drone operations through the Austin City Code, Parks & Recreation filming/special event permits, and the Austin Film Office permit system. Austin City Code § 8-1-111 restricts certain activities in city parks. The Barton Creek Greenbelt, Zilker Park, and Lady Bird Lake Trail are high-enforcement areas where the Parks Department actively monitors drone flights. The University of Texas at Austin campus (a state institution) has its own UAS policy restricting drone flights without university authorization. Austin Energy and Austin Water facilities are protected critical infrastructure under § 423.0045.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• All City of Austin parks and greenbelts: drone operations require Special Events or Filming Permit from Austin Parks & Recreation Department
• Barton Creek Greenbelt: Drone flights prohibited without permit — popular hiking corridor with wildlife and privacy concerns
• Zilker Park: No drone flights without permit — high pedestrian density, proximity to KAUS Class C airspace, and Barton Springs Pool sensitive area
• Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) hike-and-bike trail: No drone operations without permit; kayakers/paddleboarders create privacy concerns
• Auditorium Shores / Long Center: TFRs may be active during ACL Fest (October) and other major outdoor events
• University of Texas at Austin campus: UT System UAS policy requires written authorization from UT Office of Risk Management; campus police enforce
• Texas State Capitol grounds: Texas General Land Office jurisdiction; drone flights require written authorization
• South by Southwest (SXSW) events: FAA TFRs issued during SXSW festival (March) over downtown Austin venues
• Austin-Bergstrom Airport perimeter: No drone flights within KAUS Class C without LAANC authorization
• Private property: Texas trespass laws strictly enforced

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Austin Parks and Recreation Department — Special Events & Permits: (512) 974-6700, austintexas.gov/department/parks-and-recreation

Nearby Airports & Airspace

Airspace restrictions apply near airports. Always check B4UFLY and LAANC before flying.

Local Flying Guide

Always verify conditions with local authorities and property owners before flight.

Potential Safe Flying Locations

• McKinney Falls State Park (~9 mi SE of downtown) — open areas with TPWD written drone permit; avoid crowded picnic areas and creek swimming holes
• Bastrop State Park (~30 mi SE) — with TPWD written permit; recovering forest areas may be restricted seasonally
• Inks Lake State Park (~65 mi NW) — with TPWD written permit; less crowded on weekdays
• Private ranch land in Williamson County (north of Austin) — with landowner permission; check airspace via B4UFLY for Georgetown/Cedar Park area
• Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory (City of Austin, but verify permit status) — open fields east of city near KAUS approach path; LAANC authorization needed

Areas to Avoid

• KAUS Class C airspace — surface to 4,000 ft MSL within 5 NM; 1,200–4,000 ft from 5–10 NM; LAANC required throughout
• Downtown Austin (6th Street, Congress Ave corridor) — KAUS Class C; authorization required; dense event TFRs during SXSW and ACL
• Barton Creek Greenbelt — city permit required; sensitive environmental area
• Zilker Park — city permit required; TFRs during ACL Music Festival (October)
• University of Texas campus — UT written authorization required
• Texas State Capitol grounds — GLO authorization required
• Lady Bird Lake / Town Lake — city permit required; active recreation corridors
• Auditorium Shores — event TFRs common; high pedestrian density

Weather Considerations

Austin has a humid subtropical climate at ~489 ft MSL. Summer (June–September) is extremely hot (95–105°F) with low afternoon flight windows due to convective instability. Spring (March–May) brings severe weather risk including supercell thunderstorms and flash floods — the Balcones Escarpment creates flash flood events that can affect low-altitude drone operations. Persistent drought conditions occur in late summer. Monitor NWS Austin/San Antonio (weather.gov/ewx) for weather alerts.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October–November (mild 65–80°F, stable air, reduced storm activity, excellent visibility). GOOD: February–March (before severe weather season). CAUTION: March–May (severe weather, flash flood watches). AVOID: June–September afternoons (extreme heat, afternoon convection). Early morning flights (6–10 AM) are strongly recommended in summer. Cedar fever/allergen season (December–February) reduces visibility occasionally.

Compliance Checklist

• ✓ Federal FAA Part 107 or recreational exemption
• ✓ Texas state regulations
• ✓ Austin local ordinances
• ✓ B4UFLY airspace check
• ✓ LAANC authorization if in controlled airspace
• ✓ Property owner permission
• ✓ Weather safety