Nevada Drone Laws

A property owner may bring a civil trespass action against a drone operator who flies below 250 feet over the property, provided the operator has flown there on a prior occasion and the owner has notified the operator that the flight is not authorized. Licensed commercial operators in lawful business scope are exempt. Successful plaintiffs recover treble (3x) damages, attorney fees, and may obtain injunctive relief.

It is prohibited to weaponize or operate a weaponized unmanned aerial vehicle. Weaponization is a category D felony. If the weapon is discharged, the violation escalates to a category C felony.

Operating a drone within 5 miles of an airport is prohibited unless the operator has consent from the airport authority/operator or an FAA waiver/exemption/authorization (documentation must be carried during flight). Operating within 500 feet horizontally or 250 feet vertically of a critical facility (petroleum refineries, chemical plants, pipelines, water/wastewater treatment facilities, mines, power stations, substations, transmission lines, jails, detention facilities, prisons) is prohibited without written consent of the facility owner. Critical facilities do not include underground utility infrastructure.

Acrobatic or trick flying over heavily populated areas or public gatherings, flying at dangerously low altitude, or dropping objects with reckless disregard for safety is prohibited. However, acrobatic flying in parks is permitted unless conducted with reckless disregard for the safety of other persons and willful indifference to reasonably foreseeable injuries.

Law enforcement agencies must obtain a warrant to use drones for gathering evidence or information within the curtilage of a residence or anywhere a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Warrants are limited to 10 days and renewable. Exceptions exist for exigent circumstances with probable cause, written consent, search and rescue, imminent threats (with sworn statement filed within 2 business days), or governor-declared emergencies. Evidence obtained in violation is inadmissible and cannot establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause.

Public agencies may operate drones only if registered with the Nevada Department of Public Safety and operated in compliance with DPS regulations. Public agencies cannot use drones to assist law enforcement or conduct criminal prosecution. Effective January 1, 2025, Nevada public agencies cannot purchase, operate, or use drones manufactured by covered UAS entities (including DJI under Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act). This applies to hardware, software, vendors, and services flagged by Nevada's Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Operating a drone while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled substance (except pursuant to lawful prescription) or in a careless or reckless manner endangering life or property of another is prohibited.

Using a drone to peer into or attempt to peep into a dwelling is prohibited and constitutes a criminal violation.

Capturing an image of the private area of another person without their consent, where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, is prohibited. This applies to drone recordings of private areas of bodies.

Recording audio via a drone in areas where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy violates eavesdropping statutes.

It is unlawful to use a manned or unmanned aircraft to spot or locate game and then relay that information for hunting or trapping within 24 hours of the aircraft landing. It is also unlawful to harass game with a drone (molesting, chasing, herding, or driving). NDOW regulations enforce this statute.

Drones are prohibited in Nevada State Parks (Valley of Fire, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, etc.) unless a park supervisor has designated a specific area for drone use or issued a special use permit.

AB 239 (2015) revised Nevada's definition of aircraft to include unmanned aerial vehicles and established the primary drone regulatory framework encompassing weaponization prohibition, airport and critical facility distance restrictions, law enforcement warrant requirements, public agency restrictions, and state DPS registry requirements.

Prohibits Remote Control Aircraft in City Parks

City ordinance prohibits the use of remote control aircraft (including drones) within any city park, recreational facility, or public plaza, including parking areas that serve these facilities.

Prohibits Launching or Landing Aircraft on Public Streets and Rights-of-Way

City ordinance prohibits launching or landing aircraft (including drones) on public streets, highways, public rights-of-way, or public parking lots, with exceptions for government operations, city council-authorized operations, and operations necessary to protect life or property.

Designated Drone Parks Expansion

Clark County Parks and Recreation expanded approved drone operation locations from 8 to 28 designated parks as of November 2025. Drones must be flown during normal park hours in compliance with all state and federal regulations. FPV racing and acrobatic flying require a special use permit from the Parks and Recreation Department.

Prohibits Drones in County Parks

County ordinance prohibits drone operations in all county parks unless by special permit, in specifically designated areas, or with written permission from the Parks and Recreation Director. Operations must not cause disruption to peace or threat to public safety.

Drone Operations in Designated City Parks

City of Henderson permits drone operations in designated city parks (Amador Vista Park, Cornerstone Park, Hidden Falls Park, Mission Hills Park) during normal hours of operation and in compliance with all applicable Nevada, city, and federal regulations.