Dallas, Texas Drone Laws

Overview

Dallas 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 defines lawful uses; § 423.003 criminalizes non-consensual image capture; § 423.004 criminalizes disclosure of unlawfully obtained drone images; § 423.0045 prohibits flights over correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, sports venues during events, and within 400 ft of covered officials. Dallas sits beneath the Dallas/Fort Worth (KDFW) Class B airspace and adjacent to Dallas Love Field (KDAL) Class D airspace, making airspace authorization a critical compliance requirement for all drone operators in the metro area.

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, chemical plants, refineries, power infrastructure, water treatment plants, and sports venues during events
• Texas Penal Code § 42.072: Stalking via drone is a state criminal offense
• KDFW Class B airspace covers most of Dallas — FAA LAANC authorization or DroneZone waiver required; maximum altitude ceiling varies by ring
• KDAL Class D airspace — surface to 2,800 ft MSL within ~4.4 NM; LAANC required
• FAA Part 107: Max 400 ft AGL, yield to manned aircraft, no flight over moving vehicles or people without waiver
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Code: Drones prohibited in state parks without written TPWD permit
• Private property: Texas trespass laws 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). Most of Dallas falls within KDFW Class B or KDAL Class D airspace — LAANC authorization through Aloft, AirMap, or FAA DroneZone is required before any flight. Dallas Parks & Recreation requires a Filming/Photography Permit for commercial drone operations in city parks; contact (214) 670-4100.

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/

Local Ordinances

Dallas does not have a standalone municipal drone ordinance but regulates drone use through park permit requirements and event TFR coordination. Dallas City Code Chapter 32 (Parks and Recreation) requires permits for commercial filming and photography, which includes drone operations. The City coordinates with the FAA on TFRs during State Fair of Texas (Fair Park) and major sporting events at AT&T Stadium (Arlington) and American Airlines Center. White Rock Lake and Katy Trail are popular locations where the city actively enforces permit requirements.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• All Dallas city parks: commercial drone operations require Filming/Photography Permit from Dallas Park & Recreation Department
• Fair Park / Cotton Bowl: Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) issued under 14 CFR 91.145 during State Fair of Texas (late September–mid October) and other major events
• American Airlines Center (arena events): Active TFRs during NBA/NHL games and major concerts
• White Rock Lake Park: High-traffic recreation area; permit required for commercial drone work; recreational flying subject to park policies
• Katy Trail: Drone flights discouraged due to high pedestrian density and proximity to KDAL Class D approach corridor
• Downtown Dallas (within Loop 12): Falls under KDFW Class B surface area; FAA authorization required for all drone flights
• Reunion Tower area: Dense urban airspace; coordinate with KDAL ATC
• Dallas Love Field perimeter: No drone flights within KDAL Class D without ATC authorization
• Private property: Texas trespass laws strictly enforced

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department — Filming Permits: (214) 670-4100, dallasparks.org

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

• Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, McKinney (~30 mi N) — open fields; contact for drone policy, (972) 562-5566
• Parkhill Prairie Preserve (Collin County, ~35 mi NE) — TPWD managed; with written permit; excellent open grassland
• Lake Lewisville Regional Park (open areas) — verify Denton County park rules and KDFW Class B clearance (typically 0 ft authorized near surface in outer rings)
• Rural Ellis County south of city — private land with landowner permission; clear of KDFW Class B
• Cedar Hill State Park — with TPWD written permit; check airspace near KDAL

Areas to Avoid

• KDFW Class B airspace — covers most of Dallas/Fort Worth metro; surface to 10,000 ft MSL in inner rings; LAANC required for all flights
• KDAL Class D airspace — surface to 2,800 ft MSL within ~4.4 NM; LAANC required
• KADS (Addison) Class D airspace — surface to 2,800 ft MSL; authorization required
• Downtown Dallas core — KDFW Class B surface area; all flights require authorization
• Fair Park — TFRs during State Fair of Texas (Sept–Oct); prohibited during events
• American Airlines Center — TFRs during events under 14 CFR 91.145
• White Rock Lake Park — city permit required; verify KDAL approach path
• Dallas Zoo — prohibited over zoo grounds

Weather Considerations

Dallas has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) at ~430 ft MSL. Spring (March–May) is the highest-risk period for severe weather including supercell thunderstorms, large hail, and tornadoes — Dallas is in the heart of Tornado Alley. Summer afternoons regularly produce convective storms (May–September). Winds can be strong and gusty year-round. Monitor NWS Fort Worth (weather.gov/fwd) for convective SIGMETs and tornado watches.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October–November (mild 60–75°F, stable air, excellent visibility, low storm frequency). GOOD: December–February (cold but stable; occasional ice events). CAUTION: March–April (severe weather risk begins, hail). AVOID: May–September afternoons (active convection, extreme heat up to 105°F). Early morning flights (before 10 AM) are recommended throughout the warm season. Spring tornado season (April–May) warrants heightened caution.

Compliance Checklist

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