Idaho Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Idaho maintains moderate regulation of drones with specific restrictions on privacy, hunting, and critical infrastructure. State law prohibits unauthorized surveillance and drone-assisted hunting while authorizing limited government use. Vast wilderness areas spanning millions of acres prohibit drone operations.
State Drone Laws
Idaho Code § 21-213Restrictions on Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Prohibits surveillance, gathering evidence, or photographic recording of specifically targeted persons or private property without a warrant. Civil cause of action available to subjects of prohibited conduct. Exceptions include emergency response, search and rescue, controlled substance investigations, traffic accident documentation, crowd management, and mapping or resource management.
Idaho Code § 36-1101(b)(8)Prohibition on Using Drones to Locate Game Animals
Prohibits using any unmanned aircraft system to aid in hunting of big game animals on the same calendar day those animals were located from the air. Exception for hunters with physical disabilities who obtain a permit. Exception also for hunting wolves or predatory/unprotected wildlife as lawful control deemed necessary by federal or state agencies.
IDAPA 13.01.03Aircraft Operations on Fish and Game Lands
Prohibits landing or launching any aircraft (including drones) on all lands owned or controlled by the Department of Fish and Game, except on public airstrips or with specific authorization from the Commission, Director, or Regional Supervisor.
HB 486Authorization of Government Drone Use
Authorizes use of drones by law enforcement, fire departments, and other local and state government units for traffic crash documentation and reconstruction, crowd management, damage assessment following fire or natural disaster, search and rescue missions, and training purposes.
HB 522, Session Law Chapter 233Unmanned Aircraft Systems Near Department of Correction Facilities
Establishes provisions regarding unmanned aircraft systems near Department of Correction facilities. Specific restrictions and penalties are defined in the statute.
HB 939, Session Law Chapter 297Amendments to Hunting Technology Restrictions
Amends existing law regarding the use of certain technologies in hunting.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Ada County
countyUnmanned Aircraft Ordinance No. 883
Requires FAA registration for all drones operating in Ada County, regardless of weight or intended use. Prohibits camera drones from capturing images of persons or private property without prior written consent.
Restrictions
All UAS must be FAA registered (including sub-250g models). No visual image capture without consent. No audio recording in areas with reasonable expectation of privacy. Safe operation required.
Canyon County
countyPark Drone Operations Ordinance No. 96-012
Prohibits launching, landing, and operation of drones in all Canyon County parks, natural areas, and cultural resources.
Restrictions
No launches or landings in any Canyon County parks, natural, or cultural resources. Drones cannot fly below 500 feet AGL in Canyon County park airspace. Authorization from Director of Canyon County Department of Parks may be granted as exception.
Boise City
cityBoise Parks Drone Operations Restriction
Boise Parks and Recreation prohibits drone operations in major city parks without prior authorization.
Restrictions
No flights in Julia Davis Park (near Zoo Boise) or Ann Morrison Park without Parks & Recreation approval. Contact Boise Parks & Recreation at 208-608-7600 before planning flights.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone surveillance of targeted person or property without warrant (Idaho Code 21-213) | Civil Action | $1,000 minimum (or greater actual damages) | N/A | Civil courts / Property owners | Property owner may sue directly in civil court. Attorney fees awarded in addition to damages. Applies per violation. |
| Publishing drone recordings of individuals without written consent (Idaho Code 21-213) | Civil Action | $1,000 minimum (or greater actual damages) | N/A | Civil courts / Individuals recorded | Written consent required for publishing or publicly disseminating photographs or recordings of identifiable individuals. |
| Using drone to locate game animals for hunting (Idaho Code 36-1101(b)(8)) | Misdemeanor | $25-$1,000 | Up to 6 months | Idaho Department of Fish and Game / Local Law Enforcement | Hunting, fishing, and trapping license revocation for up to 3 years. Exception available for hunters with physical disabilities with permit. |
| Landing or launching aircraft on Fish and Game lands without authorization (IDAPA 13.01.03) | Administrative Citation | Determined by enforcing agency | N/A | Idaho Department of Fish and Game | Aircraft subject to confiscation. Authorization on case-by-case basis only. |
Drone surveillance of targeted person or property without warrant (Idaho Code 21-213)
Property owner may sue directly in civil court. Attorney fees awarded in addition to damages. Applies per violation.
Publishing drone recordings of individuals without written consent (Idaho Code 21-213)
Written consent required for publishing or publicly disseminating photographs or recordings of identifiable individuals.
Using drone to locate game animals for hunting (Idaho Code 36-1101(b)(8))
Hunting, fishing, and trapping license revocation for up to 3 years. Exception available for hunters with physical disabilities with permit.
Landing or launching aircraft on Fish and Game lands without authorization (IDAPA 13.01.03)
Aircraft subject to confiscation. Authorization on case-by-case basis only.
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Idaho does not impose state-level drone registration separate from FAA requirements. FAA registration is required for all drones over 250g. Ada County requires FAA registration for all drones regardless of weight.
Permits required for: hunting with disability exception, Fish and Game lands access, government drone operations, and local jurisdictions (Ada County, Canyon County, Boise parks).
Not required by state law. Insurance is recommended for commercial operations and required by some commercial clients.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
Remote ID required on all registered drones since March 2024
All FAA-registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information continuously. Idaho follows federal Remote ID requirements with no state-specific variations.
Part 107 Commercial Certification
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for commercial operations
Idaho does not impose additional state-level commercial licensing beyond FAA Part 107. FAA-approved testing centers available in Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and other cities. Test costs $175 and is valid for 24 months.
Agricultural Drone Spraying
Dual state and federal licensing required for agricultural applications
Agricultural drone spraying in Idaho requires both FAA Part 107 certification (plus exemptions from 14 CFR Part 137 for drones under 55 lbs) and Idaho State Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license. Idaho's mapping exemption in Code 21-213 means agricultural survey flights are not restricted by privacy statute.
Designated Wilderness Restrictions
Drones banned in all federally designated wilderness areas
Idaho has over 2.37 million acres of designated wilderness where drones are completely prohibited, including Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness (largest contiguous wilderness in lower 48), Sawtooth, Gospel Hump, Selway-Bitterroot, and Hells Canyon Wilderness areas. BLM and National Forest non-wilderness land generally allows flights if FAA compliant.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Idaho has not enacted a drone-specific critical infrastructure statute as of this writing. Pilots remain subject to general state laws on trespass, voyeurism, privacy, and reckless endangerment, and to all federal regulations including FAA Part 107.
Read the federal preemption guide →Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC available at 726 airports nationwide. Boise Airport (BOI) is Class C airspace requiring LAANC authorization. Near-real-time requests available through approved UAS Service Providers (DJI Fly, Aloft, AirHub, UASidekick, Avision, AutoPylot, Airspace Link).
Major Airports
BOI — Boise Airport (Class C)IDA — Idaho Falls Regional AirportTWF — Twin Falls Regional AirportCOE — Coeur d'Alene Airport
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions common June-October during wildfire season on BLM and National Forest lands. Summer fire season creates dynamic TFRs across millions of acres. TFRs also established around major sporting events and special events.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Mud Lake WMA Aerial Hunting Enforcement
enforcementIdaho Fish and Game conservation officers responded to reports of powered parachute flying low over Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area. Pilot used aircraft to spot deer hiding in marsh reeds and radiated locations to hunters on ground. Three individuals pleaded guilty to using aircraft to locate wildlife. Penalties included $500 fine ($400 suspended), court costs, 10 days jail (suspended), one year unsupervised probation, and one-year hunting license revocation.
Pending Legislation
HB 499In Committee - Judiciary, Rules & AdministrationUnmanned Aircraft Systems Near Department of Correction Facilities
Would establish provisions regarding unmanned aircraft systems near Department of Correction facilities. Proposed penalties reportedly would include up to 1 year imprisonment and $2,000-$5,000 fine.
Last action: January 21, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Idaho | University of Idaho requires drone operators to coordinate with the Office of Risk Management and campus security before conducting any flights on university property. Restrictions: Coordination with Risk Management required. Kibbie Dome area restricted during events. | Yes | Office of Risk Management |
| Boise State University | Boise State University requires prior approval from the Office of Environmental Health, Safety & Security for any drone operations on campus. Albertsons Stadium (Broncos sports venue) subject to TFR restrictions during game days. Restrictions: Pre-approval required from EHSS. Stadium TFR during athletic events. Liability insurance required. | Yes | Environmental Health, Safety & Security |
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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