Houston, Texas Drone Laws

Overview

Houston 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 primarily through Government Code Chapter 423 (Unmanned Aircraft), which defines lawful and unlawful uses, prohibited locations, and civil/criminal penalties. § 423.002 enumerates lawful uses including real estate photography, land surveying, journalism, and search-and-rescue. § 423.003 criminalizes capturing images of individuals or private property without consent. § 423.0045 bans drone flights over correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, sports venues during events, and near specified state officials. Texas does not impose a separate state pilot license — all commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, and recreational flyers must register with the FAA and follow community-based safety guidelines.

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, electrical substations, water treatment plants, sports venues during events, and within 400 ft of covered officials
• Texas Penal Code § 42.072: Stalking via drone is a state criminal offense
• Texas Transportation Code § 551.451-456: Governs model aircraft operations consistent with FAA rules
• FAA Part 107 (14 CFR Part 107): Maximum 400 ft AGL, must yield to manned aircraft, no operations over moving vehicles or people without waiver
• KIAH Class B airspace requires FAA LAANC authorization or DroneZone waiver before flight
• KHOU Class D airspace requires LAANC authorization or ATC contact before flight
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Code: Drones prohibited in state parks without written permit from TPWD
• Private property: Texas trespass laws strictly enforced; do not fly low over private land without consent

Permits & Registration

Commercial (Part 107): FAA Remote Pilot Certificate required; no separate Texas state permit. Recreational: FAA registration required at registerdrone.faa.gov ($5 fee, valid 3 years). LAANC authorization required for all flights in controlled airspace — use FAA DroneZone, Aloft, or AirMap apps. Houston Parks & Recreation requires a written Special Event/Filming Permit for drone operations in any City of Houston park; contact (713) 845-1000.

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

Houston does not have a standalone drone ordinance but enforces drone restrictions through its Parks & Recreation filming/special event permit system and City Code provisions on nuisance and trespass. The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management also coordinates TFR compliance. Buffalo Bayou Park, Memorial Park, and Hermann Park are explicitly restricted without advance written permission. Commercial filming and photography (including drone use) in city parks requires a Filming Permit from Houston Film Commission and Parks & Recreation.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• All City of Houston parks: drone flight prohibited without prior written Special Event or Filming Permit from Parks & Recreation Department
• Buffalo Bayou Park: No drone flights — high foot traffic, proximity to KHOU Class D airspace, and downtown Houston Class B shelf
• Memorial Park: No drone flights permitted — large public recreation area with density restrictions
• Hermann Park / Houston Museum District: No drone flights — proximity to Texas Medical Center and dense urban core
• NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) vicinity: Controlled access area; JSC has its own restricted airspace (MOA-adjacent) — verify with FAA before any flight within 5 miles
• Rodeo Houston / NRG Stadium events: Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) issued during major events under 14 CFR 91.145
• Commercial drone work (filming, inspections, delivery): Must hold Part 107 certificate and comply with all applicable airspace authorizations
• Private property: No flight at low altitude over private residences or businesses without express consent — Texas trespass laws apply

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: City of Houston Parks & Recreation Department — Permits & Reservations: (713) 845-1000, houstontx.gov/parks

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

• Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center — open fields away from the lake, contact TPWD for drone permit (713) 274-8600
• Brazos Bend State Park (~45 mi SW of Houston) — open areas permitted with TPWD written authorization; avoid bird-nesting zones
• Cypress Creek Greenway trailheads (unincorporated Harris County) — verify property jurisdiction and airspace before flying
• Lake Houston Wilderness Park — outer areas with TPWD permit; check for airspace conflicts
• Private rural property in Waller County or Fort Bend County west of city — always obtain landowner permission

Areas to Avoid

• KIAH Class B airspace — extends from surface to 10,000 ft MSL in concentric rings up to 30 NM; LAANC or waiver required throughout
• KHOU Class D airspace — surface to 2,500 ft MSL within ~4.3 NM radius; LAANC authorization required
• KEFD Class D airspace — surface to 2,900 ft MSL; authorization required
• Downtown Houston core — falls under KIAH Class B shelf; authorization required
• Buffalo Bayou Park — city permit required; tight urban airspace
• Memorial Park, Hermann Park, MacGregor Park — city permit required for drone operations
• NASA Johnson Space Center (Clear Lake) — proximity to controlled airspace; verify via FAA B4UFLY
• NRG Stadium / Minute Maid Park / Dynamo Stadium — TFRs active during sporting events under 14 CFR 91.145
• Texas Medical Center — dense urban area, Class B shelf overhead, highly discouraged without authorization

Weather Considerations

Houston has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa). Summer temperatures average 90–95°F with heat index regularly exceeding 105°F. Afternoon sea-breeze convergence zones trigger convective storms almost daily from May through September, typically developing 1–5 PM. Hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30; peak threat August–October. Fog is common November–February, particularly near Galveston Bay. Spring often brings strong squall lines with gusty winds and hail. Monitor NWS Houston/Galveston (weather.gov/hgx) for SIGMETs and convective outlooks.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: December–February (mild 55–70°F, stable air, low storm frequency, excellent visibility). GOOD: October–November (cooling temps, reduced convection). CAUTION: March–April (severe weather season begins, hail risk). AVOID: May–September afternoons (near-daily convective storms, extreme heat); June–October (hurricane TFR risk). Always fly early morning (6–10 AM) during summer months.

Compliance Checklist

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