Salt Lake City, Utah Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Utah regulates drone operations under Utah Code § 72-14-201 (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations), which establishes state authority over UAS and preempts local regulation. Utah Code § 76-9-403 criminalizes the use of drones for surveillance of individuals on private property without consent. The Utah Division of Aeronautics within UDOT oversees UAS policy statewide. Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC) is one of the busiest airports in the Mountain West and sits just 4 miles from downtown, creating a large Class B airspace footprint that covers most of the city. Utah State Parks prohibit drone operations without a permit, and National Forest lands require USFS permits for commercial operations.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• Utah Code § 72-14-201 — State authority over UAS operations; local governments preempted from conflicting regulation
• Utah Code § 76-9-403 — Criminal surveillance by drone: class B misdemeanor to use drone to observe individuals on private property without consent
• 14 CFR § 91.131 — Class B authorization required for operations within KSLC Class B airspace; no LAANC — must get specific FAA approval
• Utah State Parks: drone operations prohibited without special use permit — contact Utah Division of State Parks
• Wasatch-Cache National Forest: USFS commercial use permit required; recreational drone use in wilderness areas prohibited
• 14 CFR Part 107 — Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial drone operations
• Temple Square (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints property): private property — written permission required
• Great Salt Lake State Marina area: Utah State Park; permit required

Permits & Registration

Commercial operators must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. KSLC Class B airspace does not support LAANC — drone operators must obtain specific FAA authorization via FAA DroneZone (faa.gov/uas/request_waiver/). Utah State Parks special use permits: contact Utah Division of State Parks at (801) 538-7220 or stateparks.utah.gov. Wasatch-Cache National Forest commercial permits: contact the Salt Lake Ranger District at (801) 733-2660. City of Salt Lake City parks require advance authorization from SLC Parks and Public Lands at (801) 972-7800.

Official Statute Links

• https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter14/72-14-S201.html
• https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter9/76-9-S403.html
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://stateparks.utah.gov/
• https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter14/72-14.html

Local Ordinances

Salt Lake City's drone environment is primarily governed by the enormous KSLC Class B airspace that extends from the surface to 10,000 ft MSL in a layered structure covering most of the city and surrounding valley. Unlike Class C airports where LAANC is available, Class B requires explicit FAA authorization which can take days to obtain. Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands enforces an administrative prohibition on drone operations in city parks without advance authorization. Temple Square and Temple grounds, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, prohibit drone operations as private property. The Wasatch Mountains to the east are managed by Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• KSLC Class B airspace: covers most of Salt Lake City from surface; explicit FAA authorization required — not available via LAANC
• Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands: drone operations prohibited in all city parks without advance written authorization — (801) 972-7800
• Temple Square and surrounding LDS Church properties: private property — drone operations strictly prohibited without written permission
• Liberty Park: city park; advance authorization required from SLC Parks
• Jordan River Parkway: city/county linear park; permit required from appropriate jurisdiction
• Utah State Capitol Grounds: State of Utah property; advance authorization required from Utah Division of Facilities
• Great Salt Lake State Park: Utah State Parks permit required
• Wasatch-Cache National Forest: commercial permit required; wilderness areas prohibit all UAS

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands, (801) 972-7800, slc.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

• Tooele Valley area (west of the Oquirrh Mountains, ~30 mi west) — outside KSLC Class B; rural, open skies
• Rush Valley (Tooele County, ~45 mi southwest) — well outside Class B; expansive desert flying
• Davis County open areas north of Farmington (verify outside KOGD Class D and KSLC Class B outer ring)
• Utah Lake State Park area (Provo, ~45 mi south) — outside SLC Class B; Utah State Park permit required
• Stansbury Island / Tooele County desert — remote Great Salt Lake shoreline area; outside major airspace
• Weber River corridor near Ogden (~35 mi north) — verify KOGD Class D boundaries

Areas to Avoid

• KSLC Class B airspace — covers entire city and Salt Lake Valley; explicit FAA authorization required (no LAANC)
• Hill Air Force Base (KHIF, ~25 mi north) — active military base with restricted areas R-6001 and surrounding MOAs
• All Salt Lake City parks — administrative prohibition; advance written authorization required
• Temple Square and LDS Church properties — private property; no drones
• Wasatch-Cache National Forest wilderness areas — UAS prohibited
• Utah State Capitol complex — advance authorization required
• Great Salt Lake State Park — Utah State Parks permit required
• Dugway Proving Ground area (west desert) — US Army restricted area; no civilian drone operations

Weather Considerations

Salt Lake City sits at 4,226 ft elevation in a mountain basin, which creates unique weather patterns. Winter temperature inversions are notorious — a cold air mass becomes trapped in the valley creating thick smog that limits visibility and causes poor flying conditions December through February. Summer (June–August) brings hot temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms over the Wasatch Mountains. The thin air at altitude reduces drone lift by 10–15% compared to sea level. Fall (September–October) and spring (April–May) offer the best flying conditions. Strong canyon winds (particularly Parley's Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon) can create unexpected turbulence.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: April–May and September–October — stable air, clear skies, comfortable temperatures, no inversion. AVOID: December–February inversions — visibility can drop to under 1 mile in the valley and visibility restrictions apply. SUMMER: Fly before 11 AM to avoid afternoon thunderstorms over the Wasatch. ALTITUDE REMINDER: 4,226 ft elevation means reduced lift — especially relevant for heavy cinematography drones; add 15–20% extra battery margin. CANYON WINDS: Be cautious near canyon mouths where strong katabatic or anabatic winds can surprise pilots.

Compliance Checklist

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