Indiana Drone Laws

Prohibits knowingly or intentionally operating a UAV with intent to peep and causing the drone to enter the space above or surrounding an occupied dwelling to capture images, photographs, or recordings of the occupant. Amended by HB 1047 to include AI-generated and digitally altered intimate imagery.

Prohibits knowingly placing surveillance equipment or tracking equipment on another person's private property without consent, including via drone.

Requires law enforcement officers to obtain a search warrant to use a drone to conduct a search, perform surveillance, or obtain photographs or video of private property without the property owner's consent. Narrow exceptions include aerial photographs of motor-vehicle accidents on public streets and situations where a warrant would not be required for the same search without a drone.

Prohibits using a UAV to search for, scout, locate, or detect a wild animal as an aid to taking the animal during the open hunting season or during the fourteen days immediately preceding the opening day. Amendment effective March 2024 adds narrow exception: a drone may be used to recover a legally taken animal already harvested, including with infrared technology, but nobody in the recovery party may be actively hunting or carrying hunting implements while the drone is in the air.

Prohibits operation of any motor-driven airborne device, including drones, at Indiana Department of Natural Resources properties such as state parks, state forests, state recreation areas, nature preserves, fish and wildlife areas, and reservoir properties, except at sites designated for that purpose. Three narrow exceptions exist with advance written permission: professional journalists working on natural/cultural resources documentation (must provide FAA license), university-affiliated researchers (must have DNR research permit), and state/regional/county tourism agencies (must provide FAA license and proof of insurance).

Prohibits registered sex offenders from knowingly or deliberately operating a UAV to: intentionally follow one or more persons, contact one or more persons, deliberately capture images of persons without consent, or deliberately record video/audio of persons without consent, especially when on probation, parole, or under community corrections supervision.

Prohibits knowingly or deliberately operating a UAV that interferes or obstructs a public safety official in the course of their duties.

Prohibits knowingly or intentionally operating a UAV to harass, intimidate, or follow another person.

Allows the use of drones to photograph or record video at traffic crash sites for documentation and investigation purposes.

Prohibits operation of drones near or over state correctional facilities. Addresses drone contraband smuggling and interference at state correctional facilities.

Makes it a felony to knowingly enter the real property of a listed critical infrastructure facility without permission. While not drone-specific, courts have considered drone overflight of critical infrastructure under this statute. Particularly relevant for Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane in Martin County.

Fort Wayne Municipal Code § 96.30 - Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Requires UAS operators to file a flight-notification form with the City of Fort Wayne before operating drones in any of the specified zones.

Carmel City Code § 6-69 - Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Requires drone operators to obtain registration, operator licensure, and approval consistent with state and federal law before operating within city limits.

Indianapolis Parks and Recreation - Drone Policy

Indianapolis Parks Department requires advance authorization for drone use on city park property. Indianapolis Motor Speedway maintains year-round property-level ban on drones across all IMS property.