Montana Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Montana has implemented targeted drone regulations in recent years, including a 2025 criminal trespass law establishing a 200-foot airspace buffer over private property, restrictions on using drones for hunting, wildfire suppression protections, and state park permit requirements. However, the state does not require drone registration or state-level licensing beyond FAA requirements, maintaining a generally permissive stance toward commercial and recreational operations.
State Drone Laws
MCA 45-6-210Criminal Trespass by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Knowingly flying a drone 200 feet or lower over another person's property or residence without authorization constitutes criminal trespass. Exceptions include government and public-safety operations, easement holders, utility and broadband providers inspecting infrastructure, and FAA-licensed operators conducting legitimate business consistent with federal regulations.
MCA 46-5-109Limitations on Information Gathered by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Information gathered by a drone is not admissible in any Montana prosecution or proceeding unless obtained under a search warrant, a judicially recognized exception to the warrant requirement, or during a motor-vehicle crash investigation on a public roadway. Drone-gathered information cannot be used to establish probable cause for a warrant unless derived from one of these sources.
MCA 76-13-214Obstruction of Aerial Wildfire Suppression
Illegal to obstruct, impede, or interfere with lawful aerial wildfire suppression by any means, including unmanned aircraft systems. Violators are liable for suppression costs. Government and public-safety drone operations are exempt.
MCA 87-6-208Unlawful Use of Aircraft for Hunting
Prohibits using aircraft, including drones, to spot, locate, concentrate, pursue, drive, rally, harass, or interfere with game animals within 24 hours of hunting. Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission rules also prohibit using drones to film hunts or scout on the same day as hunting, though non-hunting day scouting is permitted.
ARM 12.8.816Montana State Parks - Unmanned Aircraft Operations
Launching or operating a drone from a Montana state park is prohibited unless authorized by a commercial use or special use permit from the park manager, or the operation occurs within an area specifically designated for drone use by the park manager.
MCA 7-32-401Prohibition on Armored or Weaponized Drones
Local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from acquiring armored or weaponized drones through military-surplus programs.
MCA 7-1-111Preemption of Local Drone Regulations - Wildfire
Local governments are prohibited from passing ordinances governing the private use of drones in relation to wildfires. Regulation of drone use in wildfire context is reserved to the state.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
City of Missoula
cityProhibition on Drones in City Parks and Conservation Lands
The City of Missoula prohibits flying or launching a drone in any city park, trail, or conservation land without written authorization from the Parks and Recreation Director.
Restrictions
Drone operations require written permission from Parks and Recreation Director. Violations are Missoula city code violations.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal trespass by drone (flying 200 feet or lower over private property without authorization) | Misdemeanor | $500 per violation | No imprisonment specified | Local law enforcement, County Attorney | Fixed $500 fine; exceptions for government, public safety, utilities, and FAA Part 107 licensed commercial operators |
| Using drone-gathered evidence in prosecution without warrant | Evidence exclusion | No fine assessed | N/A | Courts | Evidence is inadmissible; applies to prosecution and probable cause for warrants |
| Obstructing aerial wildfire suppression with a drone | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,500 | Up to 6 months | State/local law enforcement, County Attorney | Defendant also liable for actual suppression costs; can be substantial when air tanker operations are disrupted |
| Using drone for hunting (spotting, locating, or concentrating game) | Misdemeanor | $300-$1,000 | Up to 6 months | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens | May include hunting license forfeiture |
| Using drone to take big game by aircraft | Misdemeanor | $500-$2,000 | Up to 6 months | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens | Mandatory 30-month hunting, fishing, or trapping license forfeiture |
| Operating drone in Montana state park without permit | State park violation | Not specified in statute | N/A | Montana State Parks staff | No centralized permit system; contact individual park manager |
| Drone operation in Missoula city parks without written permission | Municipal violation | Not specified in ordinance | N/A | City of Missoula Parks Department | Requires written permission from Parks and Recreation Director |
| Drone operation in National Park Service units (Glacier, Yellowstone, etc.) | Federal petty offense | Up to $5,000 | Up to 6 months | National Park Service rangers, Federal courts | Includes launching, landing, or operating anywhere within park boundaries; possible drone seizure |
Criminal trespass by drone (flying 200 feet or lower over private property without authorization)
Fixed $500 fine; exceptions for government, public safety, utilities, and FAA Part 107 licensed commercial operators
Using drone-gathered evidence in prosecution without warrant
Evidence is inadmissible; applies to prosecution and probable cause for warrants
Obstructing aerial wildfire suppression with a drone
Defendant also liable for actual suppression costs; can be substantial when air tanker operations are disrupted
Using drone for hunting (spotting, locating, or concentrating game)
May include hunting license forfeiture
Using drone to take big game by aircraft
Mandatory 30-month hunting, fishing, or trapping license forfeiture
Operating drone in Montana state park without permit
No centralized permit system; contact individual park manager
Drone operation in Missoula city parks without written permission
Requires written permission from Parks and Recreation Director
Drone operation in National Park Service units (Glacier, Yellowstone, etc.)
Includes launching, landing, or operating anywhere within park boundaries; possible drone seizure
Registration, Fees & Taxes
No additional state registration or fees in Montana
Only standard federal FAA registration applies. No state registration, licensing, or drone-specific fees on record.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
Montana has no state-level drone registration requirement. Commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 certification and register drones with the FAA ($5 for 3 years for drones over 250g). Recreational operators must register with the FAA if their drone exceeds 250g and must pass the free TRUST test.
State permits not required for general operations. Permits required for commercial use or special use in Montana state parks (apply to individual park manager). City of Missoula requires written permission for city park operations.
Montana has no state-level drone insurance mandate. Commercial operators and those flying over property they do not own are advised to carry liability insurance.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Commercial drone operations in Montana require FAA Part 107 certification
Any operation for compensation or business benefit requires Part 107. The certificate is valid 24 months and requires passing a knowledge test covering airspace, weather, and regulations. Part 107 certificate holders may be exempt from Montana's 200-foot trespass law (MCA 45-6-210) when conducting legitimate business consistent with federal regulations.
Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Recreational drone flyers must pass the free TRUST test before flying
All non-commercial drone operations require passing TRUST, a free online test covering safety and regulations. No Montana state test exists beyond TRUST. Carry proof of completion when flying.
FAA Drone Registration
Drones over 250g must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years)
Registration number must be visible on the aircraft. Applies to both commercial and recreational operations. This is a federal requirement, though Montana law assumes FAA registration compliance.
Remote ID Requirement
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information as of March 16, 2024
Can be satisfied through Standard Remote ID, a broadcast module, or operation within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Mandatory for all flights.
Altitude and Visual Line of Sight
FAA 400-foot AGL ceiling and Visual Line of Sight requirement apply statewide
Most operations limited to 400 feet AGL with VLOS maintained at all times. Montana's 200-foot trespass law creates an additional restriction over private property: flying between 200-400 feet over someone else's land without permission is trespass.
Controlled Airspace and LAANC
Montana's major airports require LAANC authorization for controlled airspace operations
Class C airspace at Billings and Class D airspace at Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, and Kalispell/Glacier Park require LAANC approval before launch. Approvals typically instant through FAA-approved service providers.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
Summer wildfire TFRs are frequent in Montana
Active fires trigger FAA TFRs. Violating a wildfire TFR results in FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 or higher for criminal violations. Additionally, Montana state law (MCA 76-13-214) makes interference with wildfire suppression a state misdemeanor.
Night Flying Rules
FAA Part 107 permits night operations with anti-collision lighting; recreational flyers require waiver
Commercial pilots with Part 107 can fly at night with anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. Recreational flyers require a waiver. Neither can exceed 400 feet AGL at night.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Montana 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 authorization available at major Montana airports including Billings Logan International (Class C) and Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, and Kalispell/Glacier Park (all Class D). Drone operators in controlled airspace must obtain LAANC authorization before launch.
Major Airports
BIL — Billings Logan InternationalMSO — Missoula InternationalBZN — Bozeman Yellowstone InternationalGTF — Great Falls InternationalHLN — Helena RegionalFCA — Kalispell/Glacier Park
TFR Notice
Summer wildfire TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) are frequent across Montana. Check B4UFLY before every flight during fire season. Stadium/event TFRs may apply around major sporting events. Remote ID required since March 16, 2024.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Yellowstone National Park Osprey Nest Incident
enforcementA tourist flew a drone near an osprey nest in Yellowstone, causing the birds to flee in panic. The National Park Service cited the operator for NPS drone violations with penalties up to $5,000 and 6 months imprisonment.
Grand Prismatic Spring Drone Operation
enforcementVideo surfaced showing a drone operating over Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone, with allegations it was the same operator who violated NPS rules at the osprey nest.
SB493 Signed into Law - Criminal Trespass by UAS
legislationMontana Governor signed SB493 into law, establishing the criminal offense of trespassing by unmanned aerial vehicle with a 200-foot airspace buffer over private property.
SB106 Signed into Law - Aircraft Use for Hunting
legislationMontana Governor signed SB106 into law, revising laws related to the use of aircraft (manned and unmanned) for hunting with increased restrictions on drone use for game scouting.
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Montana | The University of Montana requires drone operators to coordinate with campus police and the Office of Risk Management before conducting any drone operations on university property or in university airspace. Restrictions: All drone flights on campus must be pre-approved through coordination with campus police and risk management to ensure safety and policy compliance. | Yes | Office of Risk Management / Campus Police |
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.
Stay Compliant
Stay Compliant. Stay Organized.
Now that you know Montana's drone laws, let PilotLedger help you stay on top of compliance. Manage your quotes, invoices, clients, and run your drone business from one platform.