Memphis, Tennessee Drone Laws

Overview

Memphis 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 allows recreational and commercial drone operations under FAA rules. T.C.A. § 39-13-605 prohibits unlawful photography and recording — using a drone to capture images or video of a person without consent in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy is a criminal offense. T.C.A. § 39-14-405 establishes criminal trespass and applies to unauthorized drone operations over private property. TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) prohibits drone operations in Tennessee State Parks without a permit. Commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• T.C.A. § 39-13-605: Criminal to use drone to photograph or record a person without consent in a private setting
• T.C.A. § 39-14-405: Criminal trespass — unauthorized drone flight over private property is a misdemeanor
• TDEC: Drones prohibited in all Tennessee State Parks without advance written TDEC permit
• KMEM Class C airspace: LAANC authorization required for all flights within the Memphis Class C
• KNQA (NAS Memphis / Millington): Active Navy installation; restricted airspace — do not fly without authorization
• FAA Part 107 governs all commercial operations; Remote Pilot Certificate required

Permits & Registration

Commercial: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required. TDEC written permit required before flying in any Tennessee State Park. Recreational: Register at registerdrone.faa.gov. Use LAANC (Aloft, DroneZone) for Class C authorization at KMEM. Contact Memphis Parks Services for city park operations. Avoid all flight near NAS Memphis (KNQA) without explicit Navy / FAA authorization.

Official Statute Links

• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-39/chapter-13/part-6/section-39-13-605/
• https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-39/chapter-14/part-4/section-39-14-405/
• https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas/state-parks.html
• https://www.capitol.tn.gov/

Local Ordinances

Memphis does not have a standalone municipal drone ordinance. Memphis Parks Services prohibits drone operations in all city parks and greenways without advance written authorization. Memphis International Airport (KMEM) is one of the world's busiest cargo airports (FedEx World Hub); its Class C airspace extends over a large portion of Shelby County, requiring LAANC authorization. NAS Memphis (KNQA) in Millington to the north is a Navy installation with restricted airspace that must not be penetrated without authorization. Beale Street and the downtown riverfront are high-traffic areas subject to permit requirements and possible TFRs.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• City parks and greenways: Written authorization required from Memphis Parks Services before any drone flight
• KMEM Class C airspace: LAANC authorization mandatory; FedEx World Hub generates enormous air traffic 24 hours a day
• NAS Memphis (KNQA), Millington: Active Navy restricted airspace — unauthorized entry is a federal violation
• Downtown Memphis / Beale Street: Falls within KMEM Class C; crowded public spaces; permit required during events
• Shelby Farms Park: Shelby County park — contact Shelby County government for drone access authorization
• Tom Lee Park and Riverfront (Mississippi River): Class C airspace; federal waterway; high public use
• Graceland Historic District: Respect private property; Class C authorization required overhead
• AutoZone Park (Memphis Redbirds): Possible TFR during games — check NOTAMs
• Private property: T.C.A. § 39-14-405 trespass and § 39-13-605 privacy statutes enforced

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Memphis Parks Services, (901) 636-4200, www.memphistn.gov/government/parks-services

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

• Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park (TDEC permit required; Mississippi River bottomland forest; verify Class C via LAANC — approximately 15 miles north)
• Rural Fayette County or Tipton County farmland (25+ miles from KMEM; landowner permission; minimal Class C exposure)
• Shelby Farms Park open fields (Shelby County authorization required; verify Class C airspace with LAANC)
• T.O. Fuller State Park (TDEC permit required; within Shelby County; verify LAANC authorization)
• DeSoto County, MS open agricultural areas (Mississippi state laws apply; outside KMEM Class C — verify)

Areas to Avoid

• KMEM Class C airspace — one of the world's highest-volume cargo airports; extends surface to ~4,100 ft MSL inner, to ~6,100 ft outer
• NAS Memphis (KNQA) Millington — Navy restricted airspace; federal violation to enter without authorization
• Downtown Memphis and Beale Street (Class C; crowded; TFRs possible during festivals and events)
• Shelby Farms Park without Shelby County authorization
• Tom Lee Park and Riverfront (Mississippi River federal navigation airspace concerns)
• AutoZone Park area (possible event TFRs)
• All Memphis city parks and greenways without prior written authorization
• Graceland and residential areas (privacy statutes; Class C authorization still required)

Weather Considerations

Memphis sits at approximately 285 ft MSL in the Mississippi River lowlands. Summers are hot and humid (heat index regularly above 105°F June–August) — heat affects battery performance significantly. Spring (March–May) is the peak tornado season for the Mid-South; check NWS Memphis (weather.gov/meg) for tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings. The Mississippi River valley can produce dense fog in fall and winter mornings. Winter is mild but ice storms occur occasionally.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October and November (lower humidity, stable air, migratory birds active at Meeman-Shelby Forest). March mornings before storm season activates can be excellent. AVOID: July–August (extreme heat degrades battery life and motor cooling; afternoon storms); March–April major tornado outbreak days. Always check KMEM NOTAMs — FedEx operates around the clock and the Class C is active 24 hours a day.

Compliance Checklist

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