Nashville, Tennessee Drone Laws

Overview

Nashville 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 photograph or video 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 an advance written 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
• KBNA Class C airspace: LAANC authorization required for all flights within the Nashville Class C
• KJWN Class D (John C. Tune Airport): LAANC or ATC authorization required within the Class D surface area
• Tennessee State Capitol and Legislative Plaza: Heightened security; potential TFR — verify NOTAMs

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 and Class D authorization. Contact Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation for city park filming permits.

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

Nashville does not have a standalone municipal drone ordinance. Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation requires advance written authorization for drone operations in all Metro parks and greenways. Nashville International Airport (KBNA) and John C. Tune Airport (KJWN) together create overlapping Class C and Class D airspace that covers most of Davidson County, making LAANC authorization necessary for nearly all flights in the city. The Tennessee State Capitol area carries potential TFR restrictions. Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena generate FAA TFRs during Titans and Predators events. Lower Broadway and the entertainment district require special consideration given the dense crowds and frequent large events.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Metro parks and greenways: Written authorization required from Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation before any drone flight
• KBNA Class C airspace: LAANC authorization mandatory; covers most of Davidson County
• KJWN Class D (John C. Tune Airport): LAANC or direct ATC coordination required within the Class D surface area
• Tennessee State Capitol and Legislative Plaza: Possible TFR and security restrictions — verify FAA NOTAMs before flying
• Nissan Stadium: FAA TFR during Tennessee Titans NFL games and major events — check NOTAMs
• Bridgestone Arena: FAA TFR during Nashville Predators NHL games and major events
• Lower Broadway and the Gulch: Extreme crowd density; flights over people prohibited; KBNA Class C overhead
• Radnor Lake State Natural Area: TDEC permit required; sensitive wildlife habitat — drone ban strictly enforced
• Cumberland River Greenway and Shelby Bottoms: Metro park permit required
• Private property: T.C.A. § 39-14-405 trespass and § 39-13-605 privacy statutes enforced

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation, (615) 862-8400, www.nashville.gov/departments/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

• Long Hunter State Park (TDEC permit required; J. Percy Priest Lake shoreline; verify Class C with LAANC — approximately 12 miles southeast)
• Cedars of Lebanon State Park (TDEC permit required; cedar glade ecosystem; 30+ miles east; outside Class C)
• Rural Williamson County or Cheatham County farmland (landowner permission; check Class C boundaries via B4UFLY)
• Montgomery Bell State Park (TDEC permit required; ~35 miles west; outside Class C airspace)
• J. Percy Priest Lake recreation areas with landowner/USACE authorization (verify Class C clearance)

Areas to Avoid

• KBNA Class C airspace — covers most of Davidson County; LAANC required
• KJWN Class D surface area (~4.3 nm radius around John C. Tune Airport on the west side of the city)
• Tennessee State Capitol and Legislative Plaza (potential TFRs; security-sensitive area)
• Nissan Stadium (TFRs during Titans games and large events)
• Bridgestone Arena (TFRs during Predators games and large events)
• Lower Broadway and honky-tonk district (extreme crowd density; drone flights over people prohibited)
• Radnor Lake State Natural Area (TDEC strict drone ban; sensitive wildlife area)
• All Metro Nashville parks and greenways without prior written authorization
• Vanderbilt University campus (university policy; busy KBNA Class C overhead)

Weather Considerations

Nashville sits at approximately 600 ft MSL in the Central Tennessee basin. The climate is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Spring (March–May) carries the highest tornado risk in Tennessee; the Nashville area was struck by significant tornadoes in 2020. Summer afternoons bring rapid convective storm development; check NWS Nashville (weather.gov/ohx) for convective outlooks. Winter is generally mild but ice storms can make flying conditions dangerous and affect battery performance. The Cumberland River valley can produce valley fog in fall and winter mornings.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October and November (low humidity, stable air, excellent fall color along the Cumberland River and at Long Hunter State Park). April mornings before storm season peaks are very productive. AVOID: July–August afternoons (convective storms; heat stress on electronics); March–May major severe weather outbreak days. Always check NOTAMs for Titans (Nissan Stadium) and Predators (Bridgestone Arena) game-day TFRs, and verify LAANC authorization — KBNA Class C covers virtually the entire county.

Compliance Checklist

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