El Paso, Texas Drone Laws

Overview

El Paso 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 drone use primarily through the Texas Government Code Chapter 423, which restricts capturing images of individuals or private property without consent. Tex. Gov't Code § 423.003 makes it a Class C misdemeanor to capture an image of an individual or privately owned real property with a drone with the intent to conduct surveillance. Section 423.0045 lists locations where drone flight is prohibited, including over correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, military installations, and sports venues during events. El Paso sits along the U.S.-Mexico border and is home to Fort Bliss, one of the largest U.S. Army installations, creating significant airspace and security restrictions for drone pilots. FAA Part 107 applies to all commercial UAS operations.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• Tex. Gov't Code § 423.003: Unlawful use of drone to capture images of individuals or private property — Class C misdemeanor
• Tex. Gov't Code § 423.0045: Prohibited locations include correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, military installations, and sports venues during events
• Fort Bliss / Biggs Army Airfield (KBIF): Strict military airspace — drone operations in or near Fort Bliss prohibited without military authorization
• KELP (El Paso International Airport) Class C airspace: LAANC authorization required within 5 nm
• U.S.-Mexico international border proximity: Prohibited from flying over border barriers, CBP facilities, or international ports of entry
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial UAS operations
• FAA drone registration required for all UAS over 0.55 lbs

Permits & Registration

Commercial operators require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. LAANC authorization required for KELP Class C airspace — use FAA DroneZone or Aloft app. Fort Bliss airspace is restricted military airspace (R-5101, R-5102 and associated MOAs) — no civil drone operations without explicit Army authorization. Contact Fort Bliss Airspace Management at (915) 568-7552 for military coordination. Flying near the international border is subject to CBP jurisdiction; drone operations that surveil the border fence, ports of entry, or border patrol facilities may violate federal law.

Official Statute Links

• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.423.htm
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/where_can_i_fly/airspace_101/

Local Ordinances

El Paso does not have a comprehensive standalone municipal drone ordinance, but the city enforces state law and FAA regulations through its parks and public safety departments. El Paso Parks and Recreation restricts drone use in city parks without prior authorization. Fort Bliss dominates the northeast portion of the city and creates extensive no-fly areas. The international border with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico creates unique federal security restrictions throughout the area, particularly near the Bridge of the Americas, Ysleta International Bridge, and Paso del Norte Port of Entry.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• El Paso Parks and Recreation: Drone operations in city parks require advance written authorization
• Franklin Mountains State Park: Texas state park — TPWD requires permit for commercial drone operations; recreational drones require park superintendent approval
• Fort Bliss military reservation: All drone operations strictly prohibited without Army authorization — covers large portions of northeast El Paso
• KELP Class C airspace: FAA LAANC authorization required within 5 nm of El Paso International Airport
• U.S.-Mexico border zone: Prohibited from flying over border barriers, CBP checkpoints, ports of entry, or in ways that could impede border enforcement operations
• Ascarate Lake and Park: El Paso County park — contact county for drone permits
• Transmountain/Loop 375 corridor: Near Franklin Mountains State Park boundary — verify airspace and park restrictions
• Downtown El Paso near Sun Bowl stadium: Stadium TFR active during UTEP football games and major events

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: El Paso Parks and Recreation — (915) 212-0092, elpasotexas.gov/parks; Franklin Mountains State Park — (915) 566-6441, tpwd.texas.gov

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

• Rural Westway/Canutillo area northwest of city — outside KELP Class C; open desert terrain, verify LAANC before flying
• Anthony/La Union area in New Mexico — just north of state line, outside El Paso airspace; confirm NM drone regulations apply
• Transmountain Road scenic areas outside Franklin Mountains State Park boundaries — check park boundary precisely and obtain permit if within park
• Fabens/Tornillo rural agricultural areas in far east El Paso County — well outside airport airspace corridors; flat desert farmland
• Open desert BLM land north of Horizon City — check LAANC for any Fort Bliss MOA activation before flight
• Sunland Park area (New Mexico side) — outside Texas jurisdiction; confirm NM drone rules and KDNA airspace

Areas to Avoid

• Fort Bliss / Biggs Army Airfield — prohibited military airspace covering large portions of northeast El Paso; no unauthorized UAS operations
• KELP Class C airspace — surrounds El Paso International Airport within 5 nm radius; LAANC authorization required
• U.S.-Mexico international border zone — prohibited near border barriers, ports of entry (Bridge of the Americas, Ysleta, Paso del Norte), and all CBP facilities
• Franklin Mountains State Park — permit required for commercial operations; recreational flights restricted to designated areas only
• UTEP campus and Sun Bowl stadium — private/university property; stadium TFR active during events
• Downtown El Paso high-density area — proximity to KELP Class C and security-sensitive federal and international bridge areas
• McGregor Range Army Training Complex — restricted military airspace northeast of city
• White Sands Missile Range — restricted airspace begins approximately 50 miles northeast; includes active R-5107 and associated MOAs

Weather Considerations

El Paso has a semi-arid desert climate with over 297 sunny days per year, making it one of the most drone-friendly climates in the U.S. Summers are hot with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F — extreme heat shortens battery life and affects motor performance at high power settings. The North American Monsoon season (July–September) brings daily afternoon thunderstorms with little warning; lightning is common and severe. Spring brings high winds and blowing dust/haboobs that can destroy visibility in minutes. Winter is mild and largely clear. High elevation (approximately 3,800 ft MSL) reduces air density, requiring pilots to account for reduced aerodynamic performance and longer hover times draining batteries faster.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October–May (mild temperatures, minimal monsoon activity, clear skies, low humidity — ideal desert flying conditions). AVOID: July–September afternoons (monsoon thunderstorms develop rapidly after 2 PM, accompanied by haboobs and dangerous lightning), June (peak heat with afternoon thermal turbulence, temperatures above 105°F degrade battery life 20-30%). March–April can bring sustained high winds from the west exceeding 40 mph — always check wind forecasts before flying. Early morning flights are best year-round to avoid afternoon wind, heat, and monsoon buildup.

Compliance Checklist

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