Louisville, Kentucky Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Kentucky allows recreational and commercial drone operations under FAA rules. K.R.S. § 508.140 (stalking) applies when a drone is used with intent to cause fear or harass a person, including surveillance by drone. K.R.S. § 511.070 (criminal trespass) applies to unauthorized drone flight over private property. The Kentucky Department of Parks (DPR) prohibits drone operations in Kentucky State Parks without advance written authorization from park management. Commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• K.R.S. § 508.140: Drone stalking — using a drone to cause fear, intimidation, or harassment of a person is criminal stalking
• K.R.S. § 511.070: Criminal trespass — unauthorized drone flight over private property without consent is a misdemeanor
• Kentucky Department of Parks (DPR): Drones prohibited in all Kentucky State Parks without advance written DPR permit
• KSDF Class C airspace: LAANC authorization required for all flights within the Louisville International (SDF) Class C
• KLOU Class D (Bowman Field): LAANC or ATC authorization required within the Bowman Field Class D surface area
• Ohio River corridor: Federal navigation waterway — additional restrictions apply near river operations

Permits & Registration

Commercial: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required. Kentucky DPR written permit required before flying in any Kentucky State Park. Recreational: Register at registerdrone.faa.gov. Use LAANC (Aloft, DroneZone) for Class C and Class D authorization. Contact Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation for city park filming permits.

Official Statute Links

• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=32827
• https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=24694
• https://parks.ky.gov/
• https://legislature.ky.gov/

Local Ordinances

Louisville Metro does not have a standalone drone ordinance. Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation requires advance written authorization for drone operations in all Metro parks and greenways. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (KSDF) creates a Class C airspace that covers most of Jefferson County and significant portions of Southern Indiana. Bowman Field (KLOU), one of the oldest operating airports in the US, creates an additional Class D within the city. The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs generates large FAA TFRs in May. KFC Yum! Center and Slugger Field area carry possible event TFRs.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Metro parks and greenways: Written authorization required from Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation before any drone flight
• KSDF Class C airspace: LAANC authorization mandatory; covers most of Jefferson County and southern Indiana suburbs
• KLOU Class D (Bowman Field): LAANC or direct ATC coordination required within the Class D surface area
• Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby): Major FAA TFR issued for Kentucky Derby (first Saturday in May) and Kentucky Oaks — check NOTAMs weeks in advance
• KFC Yum! Center: Possible TFR during Louisville Cardinals and major events — check NOTAMs
• Ohio River waterfront and Big Four Bridge area: KSDF Class C; crowded public spaces; permit required
• Cave Hill Cemetery Historic District: Private/cemetery management authorization required
• University of Louisville main campus: University policy requires institutional authorization
• Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest: Private nature preserve; advance authorization required
• Private property: K.R.S. § 511.070 trespass and § 508.140 stalking statutes enforced

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation, (502) 456-8100, louisvilleky.gov/government/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

• Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest (private permit required; excellent open forest and meadow; verify Class C with LAANC — approximately 25 miles south)
• Jefferson Memorial Forest (Metro Louisville authorization required; large forested tract south of the city; verify LAANC)
• Rural Spencer County or Bullitt County farmland (landowner permission; check Class C boundaries via B4UFLY)
• Lincoln Homestead State Park (KY DPR permit required; ~50 miles south; outside Class C airspace)
• Open farmland in Oldham County north of Louisville (verify Class C boundaries; landowner permission)

Areas to Avoid

• KSDF Class C airspace — covers most of Jefferson County and southern Indiana; LAANC required
• KLOU Class D surface area (Bowman Field, ~4.3 nm radius — within the city east side)
• Churchill Downs (massive TFR during Kentucky Derby week in May — plan weeks in advance)
• KFC Yum! Center area (possible event TFRs during Louisville Cardinals games)
• Ohio River waterfront parks (Class C; crowded; federal waterway considerations)
• All Louisville Metro parks and greenways without prior written authorization
• University of Louisville campus (university authorization required)
• Louisville Mega Cavern area (private property; urban industrial zone)

Weather Considerations

Louisville sits at approximately 480 ft MSL in the Ohio River valley. The climate is humid subtropical transitioning to humid continental with hot summers and cold winters. Spring tornado risk is moderate (March–May); check NWS Louisville (weather.gov/lmk). Summer afternoons bring convective thunderstorms and high humidity. Winter can bring ice storms — freezing rain is a recurring hazard that affects battery performance and props. The Ohio River valley can channel fog and low stratus in fall and winter mornings.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October and early November (stable air, excellent fall foliage, comfortable temperatures). April mornings before storm season peaks are also productive. AVOID: July–August afternoons (convective storms; extreme heat and humidity degrade battery life); March–May severe weather outbreak days. Plan months ahead for Kentucky Derby week (late April/early May) — Churchill Downs TFR covers a wide area and airspace is extremely restricted.

Compliance Checklist

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