Nebraska Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Nebraska employs a moderate, intent-based regulatory framework for drones. While the state has enacted privacy and wildlife protection statutes, its trespass law requires specific voyeuristic intent rather than strict liability for low-altitude flight, making it relatively permissive for recreational and commercial operators. Offutt Air Force Base near Bellevue and state parks represent the primary operational restrictions.
State Drone Laws
Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-521Drone Trespass with Intent to Observe
Prohibits intentionally causing a drone to enter above someone's property with the specific intent to observe them without consent in a place of solitude or seclusion. The law requires voyeuristic intent and does not apply to incidental overflight. If a property owner orders the operator to stop and the operator continues, the charge escalates.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-311.08 & 28-311.09Invasion of Privacy via Drone
Establishes criminal penalties for invasion of privacy conducted using drones. Penalties vary by severity of the invasion.
Nebraska Admin. Code Title 163State Parks Aircraft Operations Prohibition
Prohibits launching, landing, and operations of any aircraft, including drones, in state-owned or controlled parks, historical parks, recreation areas, and recreation trails without prior written permission from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 2-2622 et seq.Pesticide Application via Drone
Classifies drone-based pesticide application as aerial application, requiring the drone pilot to hold a Nebraska pesticide applicator license with Category 12 (Aerial Pest Control) certification in addition to FAA Part 107. The pilot is legally considered the applicator. Only products labeled for aerial application may be used.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 73-1001 to 73-1005 (LB660)Secure Drone Purchasing Act
Requires Nebraska state agencies to purchase drones only from the NDOT-maintained List of Secure Drones Authorized for Purchase, effective January 1, 2027. Approved drones must meet one of three criteria: cleared by DOD Blue UAS Program, compliant with NDAA FY2024, or designed to prevent unauthorized data transmission. Does not restrict private or recreational purchases.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Omaha
cityCity Parks Drone Operations Permit
Drones may not take off or land in any city park or city right-of-way unless under 250g for recreational use or a permit has been issued.
Restrictions
Drones over 250g or commercial drone operations require a permit from Omaha Parks and Recreation. Drone racing in city parks is prohibited without a special permit.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone trespass with intent to observe (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-521) | Class III Misdemeanor (basic violation) | Up to $500 | Up to 3 months | Local Law Enforcement | Escalates to Class II Misdemeanor if property owner orders operator to stop and operator continues, resulting in up to $1,000 fine and 6 months imprisonment |
| Wildlife harassment with drone | Class II Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission / Local Law Enforcement | Particularly enforced near Platte River during spring crane migration (February-April) |
| Pesticide application via drone without proper license (Neb. Rev. Stat. 2-2622 et seq.) | Agricultural violation | Applicator license revocation plus potential fines | Nebraska Department of Agriculture | Pilot must hold both FAA Part 107 and Nebraska Category 12 Aerial Pest Control applicator license | |
| Operations in state parks without authorization (Nebraska Admin. Code Title 163) | Administrative violation | Varies | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission | Special occasion permits may be issued at Game and Parks discretion | |
| Invasion of privacy via drone (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-311.08/28-311.09) | Misdemeanor | Varies by severity | Varies by severity | Local Law Enforcement | Penalties vary depending on the nature and severity of the privacy invasion |
Drone trespass with intent to observe (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-521)
Escalates to Class II Misdemeanor if property owner orders operator to stop and operator continues, resulting in up to $1,000 fine and 6 months imprisonment
Wildlife harassment with drone
Particularly enforced near Platte River during spring crane migration (February-April)
Pesticide application via drone without proper license (Neb. Rev. Stat. 2-2622 et seq.)
Pilot must hold both FAA Part 107 and Nebraska Category 12 Aerial Pest Control applicator license
Operations in state parks without authorization (Nebraska Admin. Code Title 163)
Special occasion permits may be issued at Game and Parks discretion
Invasion of privacy via drone (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-311.08/28-311.09)
Penalties vary depending on the nature and severity of the privacy invasion
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Nebraska does not require separate state drone registration beyond FAA registration. Drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years).
No general state permit required, but specific permits are required for state parks (from Game and Parks Commission), Omaha city parks (from Parks and Recreation), and pesticide application (agricultural license required).
Insurance is not required by Nebraska state law but is recommended for commercial operators.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
All drones over 250 grams must comply with FAA Remote ID requirements as of March 2024
Remote ID allows the FAA and law enforcement to identify and track drones in the airspace. All registered drones must be equipped with Remote ID capability or be flown in designated areas that do not require it. Non-compliance can result in civil penalties up to $27,500.
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operations
Commercial drone operations must comply with FAA Part 107 Small UAS Rule
Operators must pass a knowledge test ($175 test fee), maintain visual line of sight, fly under 400 feet AGL, and comply with airspace restrictions. Nebraska does not impose additional state-level commercial licensing beyond Part 107, except for pesticide application which requires Category 12 applicator license.
VLOS and Altitude Restrictions
Drones must maintain visual line of sight and stay under 400 feet AGL
Both recreational and commercial operators must maintain VLOS or use a visual observer. Maximum altitude is 400 feet above ground level in uncontrolled airspace. Flights in controlled airspace require LAANC authorization.
Night Flying
Night operations allowed with anti-collision lights
FAA allows night operations for drones with anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles. Nebraska does not add additional restrictions on night flying. However, flights in controlled airspace still require prior authorization.
Central Flyway Migratory Bird Corridor
Nebraska sits in the Central Flyway, one of four major North American migratory bird routes
During spring migration (February-April) and fall migration (September-November), millions of sandhill cranes, whooping cranes, snow geese, and other species pass through Nebraska. Flying near large concentrations of migratory birds violates both state and federal law under the Airborne Hunting Act. The Platte River corridor between Kearney and Grand Island is especially sensitive during spring crane migration.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Nebraska 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 is available at 726 airports across the United States, including Nebraska locations. Near-real-time authorization available for flights under 400 feet in controlled airspace.
Major Airports
ELM — Eppley Airfield (Omaha)LNK — Lincoln AirportNOP — North Platte Regional Airport
TFR Notice
Offutt Air Force Base (Bellevue) maintains a strict 3-mile no-fly radius. Between 3-5 miles, airspace is severely restricted and heavily monitored by military. Military has active drone detection and downing capability. Central Flyway migratory bird corridor is sensitive during spring (February-April) and fall (September-November) migration periods; Platte River corridor especially sensitive for sandhill and whooping cranes.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Lincoln Correctional Center Drone Delivery Attempt
enforcementRobert M. Kinser attempted to deliver marijuana (17.5 grams) and tobacco to Lincoln Correctional Center using a DJI Phantom 4 drone. The drone crashed outside the prison and was found by an inmate. Investigators recovered 13 photographs and 6 video files from the drone's memory card. Kinser pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 2 years in prison plus 18 months post-release supervision.
Pending Legislation
LR250In CommitteeInterim Study on Secure Drone Purchasing Act Exemptions for Power Companies
Interim study to examine whether power companies and utilities should be exempt from the Secure Drone Purchasing Act (LB660). The study would assess whether power companies' operational and maintenance drone needs conflict with the approved drone list requirements.
Last action: May 19, 2025
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | UNL requires all UAS operations on university property to be approved by the Office of Risk Management. Memorial Stadium operates a temporary flight restriction (TFR) during Husker football games. Restrictions: No flights without Office of Risk Management approval. Memorial Stadium TFR strictly enforced during Husker football games. No flights over campus buildings or East Campus without authorization. | Yes | Office of Risk Management — risk.unl.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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