San Antonio, Texas Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Texas regulates drones under Government Code Chapter 423 (Unmanned Aircraft). § 423.002 defines lawful uses including real estate photography, land surveying, journalism, search-and-rescue, and agricultural surveys. § 423.003 makes it a Class C misdemeanor to capture images of individuals or private property without consent. § 423.004 criminalizes disclosure of unlawfully captured drone images. § 423.0045 explicitly prohibits drone flights over correctional facilities, chemical plants, refineries, electrical substations, water treatment facilities, sports venues during events, and within 400 ft laterally of covered state officials. Texas does not impose its own drone pilot license — FAA Part 107 governs commercial operations and FAA recreational rules govern hobby flying.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• Texas Gov't Code § 423.003: Unlawful to capture images of individuals or private property without consent — Class C misdemeanor
• Texas Gov't Code § 423.004: Unlawful disclosure/distribution of captured drone images — Class C misdemeanor
• Texas Gov't Code § 423.0045: Prohibited to fly over correctional facilities, chemical plants, refineries, electrical substations, water treatment plants, and sports venues during events
• Texas Penal Code § 42.072: Stalking via drone is a state criminal offense
• KSAT Class C airspace requires FAA LAANC authorization for all drone flights within the Mode C veil
• Joint Base San Antonio restricted airspace: MOA and restricted areas R-6301 and associated zones prohibit unauthorized flight
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Code: Drones prohibited in state parks without written TPWD permit
• FAA Part 107: Max 400 ft AGL, yield to manned aircraft, no flight over people without waiver
• Private property: Texas trespass laws strictly enforced

Permits & Registration

Commercial (Part 107): FAA Remote Pilot Certificate required; no separate Texas state permit. Recreational: FAA registration at registerdrone.faa.gov ($5 fee, valid 3 years). LAANC authorization required for all flights within KSAT Class C airspace — use Aloft, AirMap, or FAA DroneZone. San Antonio Parks & Recreation requires a Special Use Permit for drone operations in city parks; contact (210) 207-3000. The Alamo (a Texas General Land Office property) prohibits all drone flights.

Official Statute Links

• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.423.htm
• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.42.htm
• https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/
• https://www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/rules/

Local Ordinances

San Antonio enforces drone restrictions primarily through park use permit requirements and specific site prohibitions. The City's Unified Development Code and Parks & Recreation Department policies prohibit drone operations in city parks without a permit. The Alamo complex is managed by the Texas General Land Office, which prohibits all UAS operations on the grounds. The San Antonio River Walk falls under San Antonio River Authority jurisdiction, which restricts drone flights in the corridor. Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Randolph) imposes significant military airspace restrictions throughout the metro area.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• All City of San Antonio parks: drone flight prohibited without Special Use Permit from Parks & Recreation Department
• The Alamo (300 Alamo Plaza): All drone flights prohibited — Texas General Land Office property, strict no-fly enforcement
• San Antonio River Walk: Drone flights prohibited in the River Walk corridor — San Antonio River Authority restrictions and high pedestrian density
• Brackenridge Park: Prohibited without permit; proximity to San Antonio Zoo and KSAT Class C airspace
• San Antonio Zoo: Drone operations strictly prohibited over zoo grounds
• Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA-Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, Randolph AFB): All civilian drone flights prohibited — active military restricted airspace, federal penalties apply
• San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: NPS jurisdiction, drone flights require NPS special use permit
• Sporting events (Alamodome, Toyota Field): TFRs issued under 14 CFR 91.145 during events
• Private property: Texas trespass laws apply; do not fly low over residential areas without consent

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department — Special Use Permits: (210) 207-3000, sanantonio.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

• Government Canyon State Natural Area (~15 mi NW) — open hiking areas; obtain TPWD written drone permit before flying, (210) 688-9055
• Medina Lake area (Bandera County, ~30 mi W) — private ranch land; obtain landowner permission, check airspace via B4UFLY
• Guadalupe River State Park (~30 mi N) — with TPWD written permit; avoid bird nesting season (Mar–Jun)
• Private agricultural land in Bexar/Medina/Atascosa Counties south and west of city — with landowner consent
• Friedrich Wilderness Park outer trailheads — verify city permit and KSAT airspace clearance

Areas to Avoid

• KSAT Class C airspace — surface to 4,000 ft MSL within 5 NM, 1,200 ft–4,000 ft MSL from 5–10 NM; LAANC required
• JBSA-Lackland / Kelly Field (KSKF) — military restricted airspace, R-6301 series MOAs; strictly prohibited
• JBSA-Randolph (KRND) — military airspace ~17 mi NE; restricted area and MOA
• JBSA-Fort Sam Houston — urban military installation; no drone flights
• The Alamo and River Walk corridor — absolute no-fly zones
• San Antonio Missions NHP (Mission Concepción, San Juan, Espada, San José) — NPS permit required
• All city parks without permit
• Alamodome / AT&T Center during events — active TFRs under 14 CFR 91.145

Weather Considerations

San Antonio has a humid subtropical/semi-arid climate. Summers are hot and dry (94–100°F) with occasional afternoon convective storms. Spring (March–May) brings the greatest severe weather risk, including supercell thunderstorms with large hail and tornadoes. The city sits at ~650 ft MSL on the Balcones Escarpment. Southerly flow can produce strong low-level wind shear. Monitor NWS San Antonio (weather.gov/ewx) for convective outlooks and flash flood watches.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October–November (mild 65–80°F, low storm frequency, excellent visibility) and February–March (before severe weather season). GOOD: December–January (cool and stable, occasional fog). CAUTION: March–May (severe weather, hail risk). AVOID: June–September afternoons (extreme heat 95–104°F, afternoon storm risk). Early morning flights (6–10 AM) recommended in summer.

Compliance Checklist

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