Lincoln, Nebraska Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Nebraska's drone framework is governed by NE Rev. Stat. § 3-101 through § 3-168 (Nebraska Aeronautics Act), which establishes the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics as the primary authority over aviation including UAS. LB 1114 (2019) explicitly preempts local governments from enacting conflicting drone ordinances, creating statewide uniformity. Nebraska has no dedicated drone privacy statute; general trespass and harassment statutes apply. Lincoln Airport (KLNK) Class C airspace covers much of Lincoln and its eastern suburbs. Lincoln is Nebraska's state capital, making the Nebraska State Capitol building and surrounding government campus a sensitive area requiring advance authorization for drone operations.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• NE Rev. Stat. § 3-101 through § 3-168 — Nebraska Aeronautics Act: state authority over all UAS operations
• LB 1114 (2019) — Local governments preempted from enacting conflicting drone ordinances
• 14 CFR § 91.130 — Class C authorization required for operations within KLNK (Lincoln Airport) Class C airspace
• 14 CFR Part 107 — Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial drone operations
• Nebraska State Capitol grounds: advance authorization from Nebraska Department of Administrative Services required
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus: UNL property; advance written permission from UNL Risk Management required
• Nebraska Game and Parks Commission areas: advance authorization required for drone use in state recreation areas
• NE Rev. Stat. § 28-311.08 — Stalking statute: drone-based stalking or harassment is criminally prosecutable

Permits & Registration

Commercial operators must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. LAANC authorization available for KLNK Class C via FAA DroneZone or approved apps. Lincoln Parks and Recreation advance authorization: (402) 441-7847. Nebraska State Capitol: Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (402) 471-2526. University of Nebraska-Lincoln: UNL Risk Management (402) 472-3181. Nebraska Game and Parks: (402) 471-0641 or outdoornebraska.gov. Recreational flyers must register drones over 0.55 lbs and pass the TRUST test.

Official Statute Links

• https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=3-101
• https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=3-168
• https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/106/PDF/Intro/LB1114.pdf
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/

Local Ordinances

The City of Lincoln's drone policies are shaped by Nebraska's LB 1114 preemption statute, but Lincoln Parks and Recreation administers an operational policy restricting drone use in city parks without prior authorization. Lincoln Airport Class C airspace covers much of the eastern metro area. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Memorial Stadium (home of the Cornhuskers) sees FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions during home football games, making fall Saturdays particularly active for airspace management. The Nebraska State Capitol, one of the tallest capitols in the nation, is a landmark where drone operations require advance authorization.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Lincoln Parks and Recreation: drones prohibited in city parks without prior authorization — (402) 441-7847
• KLNK Class C airspace: covers eastern Lincoln and airport environs; LAANC required
• Nebraska State Capitol grounds: advance authorization required — Nebraska Dept. of Administrative Services (402) 471-2526
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus: UNL written permission required; campus property restrictions
• Memorial Stadium (UNL): FAA TFRs during Nebraska Cornhuskers home football games — check 1800wxbrief.com
• Pioneers Park: city park; advance authorization from Lincoln Parks required
• Holmes Lake Park: city park; advance authorization required
• Antelope Park: city park in central Lincoln; advance authorization required
• Lincoln Children's Zoo: private facility; advance written permission required

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Lincoln Parks and Recreation, (402) 441-7847, lincoln.ne.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

• Wilderness Park (Lincoln's own large nature area, ~8 mi south) — verify current permit requirements with Lincoln Parks
• Stagecoach Lake SRA (southwest, ~15 mi) — Nebraska Game and Parks; permit required; open lakeside flying
• Branched Oak Lake SRA (northwest, ~18 mi) — Nebraska Game and Parks; permit required; excellent open water scenery
• Saunders County agricultural areas (northeast, ~25 mi) — open Great Plains farmland; outside KLNK Class C
• Cass County rural areas (southeast, ~25 mi) — agricultural landscape; outside major airspace
• East Nebraska agricultural countryside (30+ mi east) — open Great Plains; minimal airspace conflicts

Areas to Avoid

• KLNK Class C airspace — covers Lincoln metro; LAANC required
• Nebraska State Capitol area — advance authorization required
• Memorial Stadium (UNL) — FAA TFRs during Cornhusker football home games
• All Lincoln city parks — administrative prohibition; advance authorization required
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus — written university permission required
• Pioneers Park — city park; advance authorization required
• Lincoln Airport extended operations area — verify KLNK Class C boundaries via B4UFLY
• Lincoln National Guard base area — contact Nebraska Air National Guard (155th Air Refueling Wing) for any nearby operations

Weather Considerations

Lincoln shares Nebraska's highly variable Great Plains climate. Spring (April–June) is the most dangerous season for severe weather — tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds are frequent risks in Lincoln and surrounding Lancaster County. Summer (July–August) brings heat and humidity with afternoon thunderstorm potential daily. Fall (September–October) offers the best flying conditions with stable air and comfortable temperatures. Winter (November–March) brings Arctic outbreaks with temperatures below -10°F, which severely impacts LiPo battery performance.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: September–October — harvest season provides spectacular aerial agricultural photography; stable air, mild temperatures. GOOD: April mornings before storm season peaks. AVOID: May–June afternoon severe weather season — tornado risk is real; have a weather alert plan. WINTER: Monitor NWS Lincoln (weather.gov/oax); severe cold snaps require battery warm-up procedures and shortened flights. FOOTBALL SATURDAYS: September–November home Cornhusker game days see FAA TFRs; check NOTAMs at 1800wxbrief.com every time.

Compliance Checklist

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