Kentucky Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Kentucky maintains a moderate regulatory posture with targeted restrictions on drone surveillance, key infrastructure protection, and wildlife use. The state has unusually strong privacy protections, including a requirement that law enforcement obtain warrants specifically authorizing drone use, with evidence from unauthorized searches being inadmissible in court. Private operators face civil liability for unauthorized surveillance.
State Drone Laws
KRS 500.130Operation of Unmanned Aircraft System - Surveillance and Warrant Restrictions
Restricts drone use for surveillance and establishes warrant requirements for law enforcement. Prohibits recording images of private property or occupants with intent to surveil in violation of reasonable expectation of privacy. Presumes reasonable privacy expectation on private property where person is not visible from ground level. Prohibits attaching lethal weapons to non-military drones. Requires law enforcement to obtain warrant specifically authorizing drone use; evidence from unauthorized searches is inadmissible in court. Creates private right of action for surveillance violations with 7-year statute of limitations. Allows recreational, commercial, educational, and business drone use in compliance with FAA rules.
KRS 511.100Trespass Upon Key Infrastructure Assets - Drone Operations
Prohibits knowingly operating a drone over key infrastructure assets with intent to cause harm, damage, or conduct surveillance without owner consent. Key infrastructure includes: power generation facilities, petroleum refineries, hazardous chemical manufacturing and storage facilities, natural gas processing and pipeline facilities, railroad yards, drinking water facilities, prisons and jails, military weapons facilities, telecom/cable/broadband facilities, commercial food manufacturing and processing facilities, animal feeding operations and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and electrical highway infrastructure. For food manufacturing, animal feeding, and CAFO categories, operation without owner consent is prohibited regardless of intent. Commercial operators in compliance with FAA regulations and authorized government agencies are exempt.
KRS 501.110Offense Committed With Aid of Unmanned Aircraft System
Establishes that any crime committed with the aid of a drone carries the same criminal penalties as if committed in person. Drone use does not create legal loopholes for criminal conduct including stalking, harassment, trespass, voyeurism, or other offenses.
KRS 183.086Restrictions on Operation of Unmanned Aircraft at Airports
Prohibits drones from flying into areas designated as prohibited on a commercial airport's unmanned aircraft facility map without airport operator approval. Prohibits reckless operation of drones in manner creating serious risk of physical injury or property damage. Commercial operators in compliance with FAA regulations are exempt from facility map restrictions.
301 KAR 3:140Prohibition on Use of Drones for Hunting, Fishing, and Wildlife Take
Prohibits using aircraft or drones to hunt, fish, take wildlife, drive or herd wildlife, or harass wildlife. 'Take' is broadly defined to include pursuing, hunting, catching, trapping, and lesser acts to lure or attract game. Exceptions limited to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Department staff conducting official duties, authorized landowners conducting lawful wildlife damage control, and commercial fishers removing invasive carp.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Bowling Green
cityDrone Operations on City Property
Requires written consent from Parks Director for any drone operations on city property
Restrictions
Permanent ban over Russell Sims Aquatics Center and city golf courses. Parks Director can limit flights to specific parks, locations, and time windows.
Covington
cityPermits for Certain Activities
City ordinance § 94.017 may require permits for certain activities on municipal property
Restrictions
Takeoff and landing on city-owned property subject to local regulations
Dayton
cityActivities Limited to Designated Areas
City ordinance § 95.34 limits certain activities to designated areas
Restrictions
Drone operations may be limited to designated city property areas
Kentucky State Parks
countyDrone Permit Policy
Kentucky Department of Parks requires permit application for any drone use including commercial photography. Three documents required: completed permit application, proof of liability insurance, and copy of pilot credential (TRUST for recreational, Part 107 for commercial).
Restrictions
Permit required with insurance proof and pilot license. Some parks on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land require separate Corps approval. Apply at parks.ky.gov
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police drone search without UAS-specific warrant | Evidence Suppression | N/A | N/A | Judiciary | Evidence collected in violation of KRS 500.130 warrant requirement is inadmissible in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings |
| Drone trespass over key infrastructure (first offense) | Class B Misdemeanor | $250 | Up to 90 days | County Prosecutor, State Police | KRS 511.100 |
| Drone trespass over key infrastructure (repeat offense) | Class A Misdemeanor | $500 | Up to 12 months | County Prosecutor, State Police | KRS 511.100 |
| Crime committed with drone (varies by underlying offense) | Same as underlying offense | Varies | Varies | County Prosecutor, State Police | KRS 501.110 extends criminal liability for any crime (stalking, harassment, trespass, voyeurism, etc.) when committed via drone |
| Reckless operation of drone near aircraft | Class A Misdemeanor | Unspecified | Up to 12 months | FAA, State Police | KRS 183.086 |
| Reckless operation causing disruption to safe air travel | Class D Felony | Unspecified | Up to 12 months | FAA, State Police | KRS 183.086 - applies when violation causes significant course change or serious disruption to crewed aircraft |
| Using drone to hunt, fish, or harass wildlife | Wildlife Regulation Violation | Determined by Fish & Wildlife | Determined by Fish & Wildlife | Kentucky Fish and Wildlife | 301 KAR 3:140, effective October 16, 2025 |
Police drone search without UAS-specific warrant
Evidence collected in violation of KRS 500.130 warrant requirement is inadmissible in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings
Drone trespass over key infrastructure (first offense)
KRS 511.100
Drone trespass over key infrastructure (repeat offense)
KRS 511.100
Crime committed with drone (varies by underlying offense)
KRS 501.110 extends criminal liability for any crime (stalking, harassment, trespass, voyeurism, etc.) when committed via drone
Reckless operation of drone near aircraft
KRS 183.086
Reckless operation causing disruption to safe air travel
KRS 183.086 - applies when violation causes significant course change or serious disruption to crewed aircraft
Using drone to hunt, fish, or harass wildlife
301 KAR 3:140, effective October 16, 2025
Registration, Fees & Taxes
Kentucky imposes state-level registration, licensing, insurance, or fee requirements
Commercial operators: budget for the state fees below before operating here. Federal FAA registration is still required separately.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
- Other Fees
- Kentucky State Parks Drone Permit — Fee amount not specified in regulationsPermit application required for any drone use in Kentucky State Parks. Application must include proof of liability insurance and pilot credential (TRUST or Part 107). Some parks on Army Corps of Engineers land require separate Corps approval.
Kentucky does not require state-level drone registration, commercial drone licensing, or drone-specific insurance beyond federal FAA requirements. All drone operators must comply with FAA registration ($5 for 3 years for drones over 250g). Commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational operators must pass free FAA TRUST test. Kentucky State Parks require proof of liability insurance as part of permit process but do not mandate statewide coverage.
Kentucky State Parks require permit application (available at parks.ky.gov). Commercial airports may designate prohibited flight areas per KRS 183.086 UAS facility maps.
Not mandated statewide. Kentucky State Parks require proof of liability insurance to process drone permit applications.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Certification
Commercial operators must hold Remote Pilot Certificate
Kentucky does not issue state commercial drone licenses. All commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 test fee). Testing centers available in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and other Kentucky cities.
TRUST Certification
Recreational operations require Recreational UAS Safety Test
Recreational drone pilots must pass free TRUST test from FAA-approved test administrator. Certificate must be carried when flying recreationally.
FAA Registration
All drones over 250g require federal registration
Federal registration fee is $5 for 3 years. Drone must display registration number visibly. Kentucky imposes no additional state registration fee or requirement.
Remote ID
Standard Remote ID mandatory since March 16, 2024
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID or operate within FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area). Kentucky has no state-specific Remote ID requirements beyond federal mandate.
Controlled Airspace Authorization
LAANC required for flights in controlled airspace
Class B airspace over Cincinnati (CVG), Class C over Louisville (SDF) and Lexington (LEX) require LAANC authorization before launch. Multiple FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers provide near-real-time authorization.
Shooting Down Aircraft
Federal felony under 18 U.S.C. § 32
Shooting down or damaging any aircraft, including drones, is a federal felony. Kentucky courts have upheld this prohibition despite private property defense claims (e.g., 2015 'Drone Slayer' case in Hillview, Bullitt County).
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
KRS 511.100 — Trespass Upon Key Infrastructure Assets
Penalty: Class B misdemeanor (first offense), Class A misdemeanor (subsequent offense) for trespass on key infrastructure assets via drone
FAA authorization carve-out: Yes
Covered categories
Kentucky does not have an explicit state preemption statute barring municipalities from enacting their own drone ordinances. Local governments actively regulate drone use on public property, as evidenced by ordinances in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Covington, and Dayton. The CI statute (KRS 511.100) operates independently of the preemption question and includes an explicit FAA-compliant operator carve-out. CORRECTION: Prior version of this record incorrectly cited KRS 500.130 (the privacy/surveillance statute) in this section; corrected to KRS 511.100. CAFO removed from covered_categories — pending SB 16 did not pass.
Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC available at major Kentucky airports: CVG (Class B over Northern Kentucky), SDF (Class C over Louisville), LEX (Class D around Lexington). Commercial airports may establish restricted areas per KRS 183.086 facility maps.
Major Airports
CVG — Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (Class B airspace, Boone County)SDF — Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (Class C, home to UPS Worldport cargo hub)LEX — Lexington Blue Grass Airport (Class C)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions in effect during Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (Louisville). Class B airspace over Cincinnati metro and surrounding counties. Always check B4UFLY before flight.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | UK requires Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) approval before any drone operations on campus. Kroger Field has stadium TFR during football games. Restrictions: No flights without prior EHS approval. Stadium TFR during athletic events. No flights over medical center facilities. | Yes | Environmental Health & Safety - ehs@uky.edu |
| University of Louisville | UofL requires Department of Environmental Health & Safety (DEHS) approval before drone operations on campus. L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium has TFR during athletic events. Restrictions: Prior DEHS approval required. Stadium TFR during athletic events. No flights over campus buildings without approval. | Yes | Department of Environmental Health & 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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