Connecticut Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Connecticut maintains a moderate regulatory posture toward drone operations, with state-level restrictions on critical infrastructure surveillance, a prohibition on drone use in state parks without authorization, and a ban on weaponizing drones. The state broadly preempts municipal drone regulation, with a narrow exception allowing water company municipalities to regulate drones over public water supplies. Legislation enacted in 2025 (HB 7066) added prohibitions on attaching weapons to drones, recreational flights near critical infrastructure, and state agency procurement of drones from covered foreign entities such as China and Russia.
State Drone Laws
PA 17-52 (SB 975)State Preemption of Municipal Drone Regulation
Prohibits Connecticut municipalities from regulating drones, except that a municipality that is also a water company may enact ordinances regulating or prohibiting drone use or operation over the municipality's public water supply and land. Codified as CGS § 15-72.
DEEP §23-4-1Prohibition of Drones at State Parks and Forests
Prohibits the use of drones at Connecticut State Parks, State Forests, or other lands under the control of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, unless specifically authorized by the Commissioner through a Special Use License.
HB 7066 / PA 25-XXStatewide Drone Restrictions and Weaponization Ban
Enacted in 2025, this law introduces multiple statewide drone restrictions: (1) Prohibits weaponization — explicitly bans attaching any weapon to a drone; (2) Restricts recreational drone flights from flying below 250 feet or within 100 feet of critical infrastructure including dams, pipelines, power plants, communication facilities, harbors, television/radio stations, and reservoirs; (3) Prohibits surveillance, photography, or video of critical infrastructure without prior permission; (4) Restricts state agency procurement and operation of drones manufactured by countries on the federal 'covered entity' list (e.g., China, Russia), with procurement restrictions effective October 1, 2026, and continued operation restrictions effective October 1, 2028.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Town of Greenwich
cityMunicipal Code — Park Operations
Prohibits the possession and operation of drones within any Greenwich park unless the operation has been authorized by the Director of Parks and Recreation. This ordinance is consistent with the state preemption exception that allows municipalities to regulate drones in parks, though legal tension may exist given broad state preemption language in PA 17-52.
Restrictions
Drone operation within town parks prohibited without Director of Parks and Recreation authorization.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized drone operation in state parks (DEEP §23-4-1) | Civil/Administrative | Not specifically enumerated | Not applicable | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection | Special Use License required for authorized operations; enforcement through DEEP Commissioner authority including removal from property. |
| Unauthorized drone operation in Greenwich parks | Civil/Administrative | Not specifically enumerated | Not applicable | Town of Greenwich Parks Department | Director authorization required prior to any drone operation within town park boundaries. |
| Weaponization of drone (HB 7066) | Not specified in statute | Not specified in statute | Not specified in statute | State and local law enforcement | Explicit ban on attaching weapons to drones. Penalties not detailed in statute; may intersect with existing criminal statutes depending on nature of weapon. |
| Recreational drone flight within 100 feet of or below 250 feet AGL near critical infrastructure (HB 7066) | Not specified in statute | Not specified in statute | Not specified in statute | State and local law enforcement | Applies to recreational operations only. Critical infrastructure includes dams, pipelines, power plants, communication facilities, harbors, TV/radio stations, and reservoirs. Federal preemption considerations may apply. |
| Unauthorized surveillance or photography of critical infrastructure (HB 7066) | Not specified in statute | Not specified in statute | Not specified in statute | State and local law enforcement | Prior permission required from infrastructure owner or operator. Applies to photography, video, and surveillance via drone. |
Unauthorized drone operation in state parks (DEEP §23-4-1)
Special Use License required for authorized operations; enforcement through DEEP Commissioner authority including removal from property.
Unauthorized drone operation in Greenwich parks
Director authorization required prior to any drone operation within town park boundaries.
Weaponization of drone (HB 7066)
Explicit ban on attaching weapons to drones. Penalties not detailed in statute; may intersect with existing criminal statutes depending on nature of weapon.
Recreational drone flight within 100 feet of or below 250 feet AGL near critical infrastructure (HB 7066)
Applies to recreational operations only. Critical infrastructure includes dams, pipelines, power plants, communication facilities, harbors, TV/radio stations, and reservoirs. Federal preemption considerations may apply.
Unauthorized surveillance or photography of critical infrastructure (HB 7066)
Prior permission required from infrastructure owner or operator. Applies to photography, video, and surveillance via drone.
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Connecticut does not impose additional state-level registration requirements beyond federal FAA requirements. Federal registration ($5 fee) applies to drones weighing more than 0.55 lbs (250g) under FAA rules.
No general state permit requirement. However, a Special Use License is required for operations in state parks and forests (DEEP §23-4-1), and municipal authorization is required in certain jurisdictions (e.g., Greenwich parks). State agencies must comply with procurement restrictions on drones from covered foreign entities effective October 1, 2026 (HB 7066).
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operations
Commercial drone pilots in Connecticut must comply with FAA Part 107 Small UAS Rule.
All commercial drone operations in Connecticut are subject to FAA Part 107 requirements, including Remote Pilot Certificate (obtained by passing the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test), flight restrictions, altitude limits (400 ft AGL standard), and visual line-of-sight requirements. Waivers are available for certain Part 107 requirements.
Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Recreational drone operators must complete the FAA TRUST test.
All recreational drone flyers in Connecticut are required by federal law to complete the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). Drones weighing more than 0.55 lbs (250g) must also be registered with the FAA for a $5 fee.
Remote ID Compliance
All drones operating in the National Airspace System must comply with FAA Remote ID requirements.
The FAA's Remote ID rule (effective September 16, 2023) requires all drones to broadcast identification and location data unless operating within FAA-recognized identification areas (FRIAs). Non-compliance may result in certificate suspension and enforcement actions.
Government Certificate of Authorization (COA)
Government entities may operate under COA instead of Part 107.
Police, fire, and other government agencies in Connecticut may obtain a federal Certificate of Authorization (COA) as an alternative to Part 107 certification for public aircraft operations.
State Critical Infrastructure Restrictions vs. FAA Airspace Authority
HB 7066's altitude and proximity restrictions on recreational flights near critical infrastructure may interact with FAA airspace authority.
HB 7066 restricts recreational drone flights to not fly below 250 feet AGL or within 100 feet of critical infrastructure. This altitude-based restriction could potentially conflict with FAA's exclusive authority over airspace under 49 U.S.C. § 40103. The constitutionality of state altitude restrictions has not been definitively resolved by federal courts, creating legal uncertainty for pilots operating near covered infrastructure.
Covered Entity Procurement Restrictions and Federal Alignment
HB 7066's restrictions on state agency drone procurement from covered foreign entities align with and supplement federal restrictions.
HB 7066's prohibition on state agency procurement of drones from covered foreign entities (e.g., DJI/China-origin manufacturers) mirrors and supplements federal restrictions such as the FY2020 NDAA Section 848 and subsequent federal agency procurement bans. State restrictions take effect October 1, 2026 for procurement and October 1, 2028 for continued operation.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is available in Connecticut for airspace up to 400 feet AGL at authorized locations. Pilots should consult the FAA's B4UFLY app and UAS Facility Maps for current authorizations.
Major Airports
BDL — Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks/Hartford)HFD — Hartford-Brainard AirportSFY — Sikorsky Memorial Airport (Stratford)BID — Block Island State Airport (nearby Rhode Island border region)GON — Groton-New London AirportHVN — Tweed New Haven Regional AirportORH — Worcester Regional Airport (nearby Massachusetts border region)
TFR Notice
Standard Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) apply around major airports and federal installations. Connecticut may experience additional TFRs for special events, stadium activities, and VIP movements. Pilots must check NOTAMs before all flights.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
Potential Further Drone Privacy Legislation
Last action: Invalid Date
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale University | Yale University prohibits unauthorized drone operations on university property. All drone flights require prior approval from the Yale Police Department and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). Operators must comply with FAA regulations and Yale's internal approval process. Restrictions: Strict prohibition on unauthorized flights. No flights over Yale Bowl, residential colleges, campus buildings, or crowded areas without explicit authorization. Commercial use requires additional review. | Yes | Yale Police Department / Office of Environmental Health & Safety |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) | UConn requires all drone operations on campus to be authorized through the Office of Environmental Health & Safety and UConn Police Department before flight. Operators must hold applicable FAA certifications and comply with all federal and state regulations. Restrictions: Authorization required for all operations on UConn property. No flights over Pratt & Whitney Stadium or Rentschler Field during athletic or special events. Operations must not interfere with campus activities. | Yes | Environmental Health & Safety / UConn Police Department |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield University requires prior written authorization for any drone operation on university property. Operators must comply with FAA regulations and university safety requirements. Restrictions: No unauthorized drone flights over campus buildings, athletic facilities, or crowded areas. Authorization required from university administration. | Yes | Fairfield University Facilities Management / Campus Safety |
| University of New Haven | The University of New Haven requires all drone operators on campus property to obtain prior authorization and comply with FAA Part 107 or recreational rules as applicable. Restrictions: Authorization required for all drone operations on campus. Flights over dormitories, athletic facilities, and crowded spaces are prohibited without explicit approval. | Yes | University of New Haven Campus Safety |
| Quinnipiac University | Quinnipiac University prohibits unauthorized drone operations on any of its campuses. Operators must obtain advance written approval and hold required FAA certifications. Restrictions: No drone flights over campus buildings, athletic venues, or residential areas without prior written authorization. All operators must comply with federal and state drone laws. | Yes | Quinnipiac University Public Safety |
| Trinity College | Trinity College prohibits unauthorized drone use on campus. Prior authorization from campus administration is required for all drone operations. Restrictions: Unauthorized drone flights over campus buildings, athletic fields, and residential areas are prohibited. | Yes | Trinity College Campus Safety |
| Wesleyan University | Wesleyan University requires authorization for drone operations on university property, consistent with FAA regulations and campus safety policies. Restrictions: No unauthorized drone flights over campus property. Operators must comply with FAA regulations and obtain campus approval. | Yes | Wesleyan University Public Safety |
Last Updated
This page is automatically verified and updated weekly by our AI-powered legal research agent (v1.0.0). While we strive for accuracy, always verify critical information with official state sources.
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