Knoxville, Tennessee Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Tennessee has enacted specific drone statutes addressing criminal surveillance and trespass. T.C.A. § 39-13-903 prohibits using a drone to conduct criminal surveillance — capturing images or video of individuals in private spaces without consent. T.C.A. § 39-14-405 establishes trespass by drone over private property. Tennessee does not have a comprehensive state preemption statute for local drone ordinances, meaning Knoxville and Knox County may impose additional restrictions. All drone operations must comply with FAA Part 107 rules. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which lies just southeast of Knoxville, is under NPS jurisdiction and strictly prohibits all drone use.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• T.C.A. § 39-13-903: Criminal surveillance by drone — prohibited to capture images of individuals in private areas without consent
• T.C.A. § 39-14-405: Trespass by drone over private property without owner consent is a criminal offense
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial UAS operations
• FAA drone registration required for all UAS weighing over 0.55 lbs
• KTYS (McGhee Tyson Airport) Class C airspace requires LAANC authorization for operations within approximately 5 nautical miles
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NPS): Drones strictly prohibited — Class B misdemeanor under federal regulations
• Knox County parks system prohibits drone operations without prior written approval
• University of Tennessee campus and athletic facilities restrict drone use, particularly on game days when TFRs may be active
• KDKX (Knoxville Downtown Island Airport) Class D airspace requires contact with tower before operations within 4.4 nm

Permits & Registration

Commercial operations require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational operators must register drones over 0.55 lbs with FAA. LAANC authorization required for KTYS Class C and KDKX Class D airspace — use FAA DroneZone or approved apps (Aloft, Kittyhawk). Knox County Parks permit required for park operations — contact Knox County Parks & Recreation. Great Smoky Mountains NP requires a Special Use Permit from NPS for any commercial drone operations; recreational drones are prohibited entirely.

Official Statute Links

• https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-39/chapter-13/part-9/section-39-13-903/
• https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-39/chapter-14/part-4/section-39-14-405/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/drones.htm

Local Ordinances

Knoxville does not have a comprehensive standalone drone ordinance, but the City of Knoxville and Knox County have park regulations prohibiting drone use without authorization. The Tennessee River Greenway and city park system restrict UAS operations. Knoxville's location near McGhee Tyson Airport and Downtown Island Airport creates significant airspace overlap requiring LAANC authorization across most of the urban core. University of Tennessee athletic events trigger stadium TFRs under FAA rules.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Knoxville city parks: Drone operations prohibited without written permit from Knoxville Parks and Recreation
• Knox County parks system: UAS operations prohibited without prior written approval
• Tennessee River Greenway trail system: Drone launches and landings restricted within park boundaries
• University of Tennessee campus: Drone operations prohibited without written authorization from UT administration
• UT Neyland Stadium area: FAA stadium TFR active 1 hour before through 1 hour after all major athletic events
• Downtown Knoxville Market Square and Old City: City-managed public spaces restrict drone operations near crowds
• Ijams Nature Center: Private preserve — drone operations prohibited without express written permission
• World's Fair Park area: Contact Knoxville city events office for any aerial operations near the Sunsphere
• McGhee Tyson Airport (KTYS) Class C: LAANC authorization required within approximately 5 nm of airport

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Knoxville Parks and Recreation, (865) 215-4311, knoxvilletn.gov/departments/parks-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

• Rural agricultural areas of Knox County east of Knoxville beyond Class C airspace boundary — verify with FAA sectional chart and LAANC
• Forks of the River Industrial Park area — open terrain, check LAANC authorization for KDKX proximity
• Corryton/Gibbs community areas north of Knoxville outside primary airspace corridors — verify LAANC
• Private rural land in Anderson or Blount County with landowner permission, outside restricted airspace
• Designated open fields at Concord Park after obtaining Knox County Parks permit
• Baker Creek Preserve — contact Knox County Parks for written authorization before flying

Areas to Avoid

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park — all drone use strictly prohibited under NPS regulations; criminal penalties apply
• KTYS Class C airspace — covers most of south and southwest Knoxville; LAANC required at all altitudes
• KDKX Class D airspace — Downtown Island Airport; active tower; contact required for operations within 4.4 nm
• University of Tennessee campus — prohibited without authorization; stadium TFR on game days
• All Knox County and City of Knoxville parks — written permit required
• Tennessee River Greenway corridor — restricted drone launch/landing areas
• Fort Loudoun Lake shoreline properties — respect private property trespass laws
• Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum — private property; drone operations prohibited

Weather Considerations

Knoxville has a humid subtropical climate with significant rainfall year-round averaging 47 inches annually. Summer thunderstorms are frequent June through September and can develop rapidly in the afternoon. The Tennessee River valley can generate localized fog and low visibility in mornings. Winter ice storms, while infrequent, can create hazardous battery-draining cold conditions. Spring and fall offer the best stable flying conditions. Check NWS Morristown (weather.gov/mrx) for local forecasts.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: March–May and September–October — mild temperatures, reduced storm frequency, excellent visibility. AVOID: July–August afternoons when convective storms form rapidly over the Appalachian foothills; December–February due to ice storm risk and cold temperatures reducing battery life. Note: proximity to the Smoky Mountains creates orographic cloud development and wind shear — watch weather closely year-round. Fall foliage season (Oct–Nov) brings heavy tourism and potential crowd-related restrictions near Gatlinburg approaches.

Compliance Checklist

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