Missouri Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Missouri maintains a permissive regulatory environment for drones with no state-level registration, licensing, or insurance requirements beyond FAA rules. The state has enacted targeted restrictions on drones near stadiums, correctional facilities, and mental health facilities, and prohibits drone-based surveillance without consent. Local ordinances in specific cities and counties impose additional requirements for park operations.
State Drone Laws
RSMo 577.800Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft Near Open-Air Facilities
Prohibits the operation of drones within 400 feet of altitude and within the property boundary of any open-air facility with a capacity of 5,000 or more people that is not completely enclosed by a roof, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and amphitheaters. Each facility must post warning signage.
RSMo 632.575Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft Over Mental Health Hospital
Prohibits the operation of drones within 400 feet vertical distance from the ground and within the property boundary of any mental health hospital.
RSMo 217.850Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft Near Correctional Facilities
Prohibits the operation of drones near Missouri state and local correctional and penal institutions. Penalties escalate based on the intent and payload of the drone operation.
RSMo 542.525Prohibition on Drone Surveillance Without Warrant or Consent
Prohibits using drones to gather evidence or information about criminal conduct except as authorized by a warrant. Drones cannot be used to conduct surveillance or observation of any individual or property without the consent of that individual or property owner. Applies to both law enforcement and private citizens.
RSMo 565.250Voyeurism—Application to Drone-Based Surveillance
Missouri's voyeurism statute applies to drone-based surveillance. It is illegal to knowingly view, photograph, film, or create an image of a nude or partially nude person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without their consent, using any device including drones.
Missouri Department of Conservation RegulationDrone-Assisted Game Recovery Authorization
Effective September 15, 2024, Missouri legalized the use of drones for locating and recovering wounded game animals (deer, turkey, elk, and black bear). Thermal imaging equipment is permitted on recovery drones. No person in the hunting party can possess a firearm, bow, or weapon while the drone is in flight (concealable firearms excepted). Drone operators do not need a hunting permit unless they wounded the animal. Landowner permission required before flying over private property. Using drones to harass, pursue, or take game remains illegal.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Jackson County
countyOrdinance 1447, Chapter 50 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems in County Parks
Regulates drone operations within Jackson County parks, requiring permits, liability insurance, and compliance with sound and operational restrictions.
Restrictions
Liability insurance required to operate in parks. Permit must be obtained from Jackson County Parks Department. Frequency flags and channel numbers must be visibly displayed on transmitter during operations. Drones and radio-controlled aircraft must not exceed 98 decibels (weighted scale) when measured from 50 feet or greater distance. Operations permitted only in designated areas.
City of Columbia
cityMunicipal Code Chapter 17 - City Parks Drone Operations Policy
Prohibits drone operations in city parks outside of designated areas, with exception for holders of Special Use Permits.
Restrictions
Drones prohibited in all city parks except in areas designated by the Director of Parks. Special Use Permit required from Director to operate in designated areas.
City of St. Louis - Forest Park
cityForest Park Rules, Safety and Security - Unmanned Aircraft Policy
Requires application and Board of Public Service Permit approval before drone operations are permitted in Forest Park. Applicants must demonstrate pilot qualifications, aircraft specifications, and substantial liability insurance.
Restrictions
Board of Public Service Permit required from City Hall. Must submit: valid pilot's license copy, drone specifications, and certificate of insurance showing minimum $1,000,000 liability coverage. Applications submitted through City of St. Louis.
St. Louis County
countySt. Louis County Parks Drone Policy
Highly restrictive policy permitting drone operations only in two specific parks; drones prohibited in all other county parks.
Restrictions
Drone operations permitted only at Buder Park and a portion of Antire Valley. Drones prohibited in all other St. Louis County parks and facilities.
St. Charles County
countySt. Charles County Parks & Recreation Unmanned Aircraft Systems Policy
Requires permit for drone operations in all county parks and preserved areas.
Restrictions
Permit required from County Parks & Recreation Department to operate drones in county parks and preserved areas. Operations prohibited without valid permit.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone operation within 400 feet of open-air facility with 5,000+ capacity (RSMo 577.800) | Infraction | Fine amount varies (minor offense) | None | Local Law Enforcement | Basic violation. Facility must post warning signage. Exceptions for authorized personnel and facility operators. |
| Delivery of weapon, knife, explosive, or prohibited article via drone to venue or correctional facility (RSMo 577.800, 217.850) | Class B Felony | Up to $10,000 | 5-15 years | State Police / Law Enforcement | Enhanced felony charge for weapons or explosive delivery. May include federal charges. |
| Delivery of controlled substance via drone to venue or correctional facility (RSMo 577.800, 217.850) | Class D Felony | Up to $5,000 | Up to 7 years | Local Law Enforcement / State Police | |
| Facilitating escape from correctional facility via drone (RSMo 217.850) | Class C Felony | Up to $7,500 | Up to 10 years | Department of Corrections / State Police | |
| Unauthorized surveillance or observation via drone without warrant or consent (RSMo 542.525) | Criminal offense (class varies by circumstances); civil liability | Varies by specific violation | Varies | Local Law Enforcement | Both criminal prosecution and civil damages available. Warrant required for law enforcement surveillance. |
| Voyeurism via drone—single victim (RSMo 565.250) | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | Local Law Enforcement | Photographing, filming, or observing partially/fully nude person without consent in place of privacy expectation. |
| Voyeurism via drone—multiple victims (RSMo 565.250) | Class D Felony | Up to $5,000 | Up to 5 years | Local Law Enforcement | Enhanced penalty when multiple victims are involved in the same incident. |
| Drone operation in Jackson County parks without permit and liability insurance | Ordinance violation | Civil penalty (amount specified in ordinance) | None | Jackson County Parks Department | Both permit and liability insurance required for park operations. |
| Drone exceeding 98 decibels sound level from 50+ feet distance in Jackson County parks | Ordinance violation | Civil penalty | None | Jackson County Parks Department | Sound level measured on weighted scale from 50+ feet distance. |
Drone operation within 400 feet of open-air facility with 5,000+ capacity (RSMo 577.800)
Basic violation. Facility must post warning signage. Exceptions for authorized personnel and facility operators.
Delivery of weapon, knife, explosive, or prohibited article via drone to venue or correctional facility (RSMo 577.800, 217.850)
Enhanced felony charge for weapons or explosive delivery. May include federal charges.
Delivery of controlled substance via drone to venue or correctional facility (RSMo 577.800, 217.850)
Facilitating escape from correctional facility via drone (RSMo 217.850)
Unauthorized surveillance or observation via drone without warrant or consent (RSMo 542.525)
Both criminal prosecution and civil damages available. Warrant required for law enforcement surveillance.
Voyeurism via drone—single victim (RSMo 565.250)
Photographing, filming, or observing partially/fully nude person without consent in place of privacy expectation.
Voyeurism via drone—multiple victims (RSMo 565.250)
Enhanced penalty when multiple victims are involved in the same incident.
Drone operation in Jackson County parks without permit and liability insurance
Both permit and liability insurance required for park operations.
Drone exceeding 98 decibels sound level from 50+ feet distance in Jackson County parks
Sound level measured on weighted scale from 50+ feet distance.
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Missouri does not require state-level drone registration. All drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). All registered drones must have Remote ID capability as of March 2024.
No state-level permit required for recreational or commercial operations. Local permits required in specific jurisdictions: Jackson County parks, St. Louis Forest Park, St. Louis City parks, St. Charles County parks, and select other municipalities.
Missouri has no state-level insurance requirement. Liability insurance is required by Jackson County parks system for park operations. St. Louis Forest Park requires minimum $1,000,000 liability coverage for permit applicants.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 - Commercial Remote Pilot Certificate
Required for commercial drone operations in Missouri
Commercial drone pilots must pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test, pass background check, and obtain Remote Pilot Certificate. Renewal required every 24 months. Missouri has no additional state-level commercial licensing or registration requirements beyond FAA Part 107.
TRUST Test - Recreational Operator Requirement
All recreational drone pilots must pass the free TRUST test
The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) is free and available online through FAA-approved test administrators. Proof of passage must be carried during all recreational flights. Test covers aeronautical knowledge and safety rules.
FAA Drone Registration
Registration required for all drones over 250 grams
Cost: $5 for 3 years. Completed through FAADroneZone website (faadronezone.faa.gov). Drones must be externally marked with registration number. Required for both recreational and commercial operators.
Remote ID - Mandatory Broadcast Capability
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID since March 2024
Remote ID allows airspace managers and law enforcement to identify drone operators. Failure to comply is a federal violation. Both recreational and Part 107 drones must have Remote ID capability.
LAANC - Low Altitude Authorization & Notification Capability
Required for flights in controlled airspace near major airports
Kansas City (MCI) and St. Louis (STL) have Class B controlled airspace. LAANC provides near real-time authorization for flights under 400 feet. Available through FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers. Manual coordination available for higher altitudes.
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Requirement
FAA mandate for maintaining visual contact with aircraft
Both recreational and Part 107 pilots must maintain VLOS or use trained visual observer in direct contact. Maximum authorized altitude 400 feet AGL in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace. Night operations allowed with anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Missouri 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 (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is available at 726 airports nationwide, including Kansas City International (MCI) and St. Louis Lambert International (STL), both Class B airspace. Automatic approval available in some grid squares; manual coordination requests available for flights above UAS Facility Map ceilings.
Major Airports
MCI — Kansas City International Airport (Class B)STL — St. Louis Lambert International Airport (Class B)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are issued during major sporting events (Kansas City Chiefs and Royals games at Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium; St. Louis Cardinals games at Busch Stadium). TFRs also apply during large public gatherings, emergency response, and presidential movements. Check B4UFLY app and NOTAM system before every flight.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Ozark County Felony Stalking Charges for Drone Use
enforcementOrval Don Merriman was charged with felony second-degree stalking and first-degree harassment after repeatedly flying a red drone over the property of a law enforcement officer in Ozark County. The officer had previously arrested Merriman for narcotics trafficking in December 2023. Search warrant on Merriman's phone revealed multiple aerial photographs of the victim's residence taken from the drone. Case demonstrates application of existing stalking and harassment statutes to drone-based surveillance absent dedicated drone-specific crimes.
Pending Legislation
SB1421In Conference CommitteeModifies Provisions Relating to the Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft in Certain Areas
Significant expansion of Missouri drone restrictions currently being negotiated between House and Senate. Key proposed changes: reduce open-air facility capacity threshold from 5,000 to 500 people; expand restrictions to critical infrastructure facilities (not just stadiums/prisons); authorize law enforcement to take mitigation measures (interception/disabling) against drones posing imminent threat to public safety; add delivery of explosive devices as prohibited conduct; establish forfeiture of seized drones under criminal activity forfeiture act; provide law enforcement immunity for good faith actions. Contains emergency clause for immediate effect upon passage.
Last action: May 11, 2026
HB2587Placed on Informal CalendarModifies Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Interception of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Addresses law enforcement authority and procedures for intercepting and disabling unmanned aircraft systems that pose credible threats to public safety. Likely implements state-level authority for tactical drone mitigation by law enforcement. Advanced stage of legislative process.
Last action: May 7, 2026
HB1807Read Second TimeAuthorizes Law Enforcement to Intercept and Disable Unmanned Aircraft that Post Credible Threats to Public Safety
Would authorize law enforcement agencies to take action against drones posing credible threats to public safety, including interception and disabling of aircraft. Currently in early stages of legislative consideration.
Last action: January 8, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) | University of Missouri requires all drone and unmanned aircraft operations on campus to obtain prior approval from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). Faurot Field, the football stadium, operates a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) during game days. Case-by-case authorization based on operational purpose, flight location, and safety risk assessment. Restrictions: EH&S approval required before any drone operations on campus. Faurot Field TFR during football games and athletic events. No drone operations without prior written authorization. | Yes | Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) — ehs@missouri.edu |
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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