New Hampshire Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
New Hampshire is one of the most permissive states for drone operations, with regulation primarily following federal FAA rules. The state enacted RSA 644:23 effective January 1, 2026, establishing criminal penalties for Part 107 violations, emergency scene interference, privacy violations, airport interference, and armed drones. No state registration, licensing, or permit requirements exist beyond federal standards.
State Drone Laws
RSA 644:23Unlawful Operation or Use of Small Unmanned Aircraft System
Comprehensive criminal drone statute establishing penalties for Part 107 violations, interference with emergency responders, privacy violations under RSA 644:9, airport interference, flying over correctional facilities, and operation of armed or projectile-capable drones.
RSA 644:9Invasion of Privacy
Prohibits unlawfully installing or using any device (including drones) to observe, photograph, or record a person's private body parts, under their clothing, or activities in private places without consent. Applies to restrooms, locker rooms, dwelling interiors, and other locations where a person reasonably expects privacy from surveillance.
RSA 207:57Harassment of Hunters, Trappers, and Fishers by Drone Surveillance
Prohibits using a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle to conduct video surveillance of private citizens who are lawfully hunting, fishing, or trapping without obtaining their written consent prior to surveillance. Law enforcement and NH Fish and Game personnel are exempt when acting in official duties.
Fis 312.01 / Fis 312.02Fish and Game Rules—Drone Use for Hunting and Wildlife Location
New Hampshire Fish and Game administrative rules prohibiting the use of drones to locate, surveil, or attempt to locate game for the purpose of taking it. Also prohibits using drones to communicate with people on the ground to locate wildlife and to harass wildlife.
HB 1444 / Chapter 95Relative to the Purchase or Acquisition of Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems
State law governing the purchase and acquisition of unmanned aircraft systems by New Hampshire state agencies and departments. Establishes procurement standards and procedures for UAS acquisitions.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
New Hampshire State Parks (Statewide)
stateState Parks Drone Policy—Launch and Landing Prohibition
New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources administrative policy prohibiting the launching or landing of drones within the boundaries of all New Hampshire State Parks, including state beaches and historic sites.
Restrictions
No takeoff or landing of drones within state park boundaries statewide. Applies to all parks and recreation areas managed by DNCR. Includes Franconia Notch State Park (even though located within White Mountain National Forest). No commercial or recreational exception; no permit system currently exists.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating a drone in violation of FAA Part 107 rules (first offense) | Violation | Up to $250 (federal); state exposure under RSA 644:23 | None | FAA (federal); NH State Police / Local Law Enforcement (state) | RSA 644:23 creates state criminal liability for Part 107 violations as of Jan 1, 2026 |
| Operating a drone in violation of FAA Part 107 rules (subsequent offense) | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | NH State Police / County Prosecutors | RSA 644:23, II |
| Drone interference with law enforcement, fire, or emergency response operations | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | NH State Police / Local Law Enforcement | RSA 644:23, III; news media exempt if FAA-waivered, compliant with Part 107, and defers to on-scene authority |
| Drone surveillance violating privacy statute (RSA 644:9—voyeurism/unauthorized recording) | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | NH State Police / Local Law Enforcement | Escalates to felony for repeat offenses or if victim is minor under 18; distribution escalates to Class B felony |
| Drone surveillance of hunters, fishers, or trappers without written consent | Violation | Variable | None | NH Fish and Game / Local Law Enforcement | RSA 207:57; equivalent to traffic ticket |
| Using drone to locate or attempt to locate game for taking | Fish and Game Administrative Violation | Variable | None | NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers | Fis 312.01 / Fis 312.02 |
| Negligently operating drone to interfere with crewed aircraft or disrupt airport | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | FAA / NH State Police | RSA 644:23, IV(a) |
| Operating drone that damages crewed aircraft in flight | Class B Felony | Up to $30,000 | 3–10 years | FAA / NH State Police / Federal authorities | RSA 644:23, IV(b) |
| Operating drone causing aircraft crash resulting in death or serious bodily injury | Class A Felony | Up to $100,000 | Up to life | FAA / NH State Police / Federal authorities | RSA 644:23, IV(c) |
| Operating drone in FAA-restricted airspace over correctional, penal, or detention facility | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | NH State Police / Federal Corrections / FAA | RSA 644:23, V; escalates to Class B Felony if purpose is contraband delivery or escape assistance |
| Knowingly possessing or operating an armed or projectile-capable drone | Class B Felony | Up to $30,000 | 3–10 years | NH State Police / Federal authorities / ATF | RSA 644:23, VI; bomb-squad and law-enforcement exemptions apply for lawful use |
| Launching or landing drone within state park boundaries | State Park Administrative Violation | Variable | None | NH State Parks / DNCR | Administrative policy, not statute; no permit system exists |
Operating a drone in violation of FAA Part 107 rules (first offense)
RSA 644:23 creates state criminal liability for Part 107 violations as of Jan 1, 2026
Operating a drone in violation of FAA Part 107 rules (subsequent offense)
RSA 644:23, II
Drone interference with law enforcement, fire, or emergency response operations
RSA 644:23, III; news media exempt if FAA-waivered, compliant with Part 107, and defers to on-scene authority
Drone surveillance violating privacy statute (RSA 644:9—voyeurism/unauthorized recording)
Escalates to felony for repeat offenses or if victim is minor under 18; distribution escalates to Class B felony
Drone surveillance of hunters, fishers, or trappers without written consent
RSA 207:57; equivalent to traffic ticket
Using drone to locate or attempt to locate game for taking
Fis 312.01 / Fis 312.02
Negligently operating drone to interfere with crewed aircraft or disrupt airport
RSA 644:23, IV(a)
Operating drone that damages crewed aircraft in flight
RSA 644:23, IV(b)
Operating drone causing aircraft crash resulting in death or serious bodily injury
RSA 644:23, IV(c)
Operating drone in FAA-restricted airspace over correctional, penal, or detention facility
RSA 644:23, V; escalates to Class B Felony if purpose is contraband delivery or escape assistance
Knowingly possessing or operating an armed or projectile-capable drone
RSA 644:23, VI; bomb-squad and law-enforcement exemptions apply for lawful use
Launching or landing drone within state park boundaries
Administrative policy, not statute; no permit system exists
Registration, Fees & Taxes
No additional state registration or fees in New Hampshire
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
New Hampshire does not require state-level drone registration, licensing, permits, or insurance beyond federal FAA requirements. Drones over 0.55 pounds (250 grams) require federal FAA registration ($5 for 3 years). Commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational operators must pass the TRUST test (free, online). No state-specific drone business permit or registration fee applies.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Certification and State Criminal Liability
Commercial drone operations in New Hampshire require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; Part 107 violations now carry state criminal penalties.
As of January 1, 2026, New Hampshire RSA 644:23 makes Part 107 violations state-level offenses in addition to federal FAA enforcement. First Part 107 offense is a state Violation; subsequent offenses are Misdemeanors. This layering of state and federal enforcement is unique to New Hampshire.
Remote ID Requirement
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID or operate within FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs).
Mandatory since March 16, 2024. Standard Remote ID broadcast modules, or operation in FRIAs are acceptable compliance methods. Enforcement by FAA.
Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Recreational pilots must pass TRUST before flying any drone.
Free online test through FAA-approved administrators (one-time, can retake if needed). Proof of passage required when flying. No expiration date.
Altitude and Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
400 feet above ground level (AGL) maximum; maintain VLOS or use visual observer.
New Hampshire does not impose additional altitude or VLOS restrictions beyond federal FAA rules. Night flying allowed with anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles (Part 107 waiver no longer required as of September 2024).
Controlled Airspace Authorization via LAANC
Operations in Class B, C, D, and surface E airspace require LAANC authorization before launch.
Manchester-Boston Class C and Boston Class B shelf are primary New Hampshire constraints. LAANC requests processed by FAA-approved service providers in near-real-time or through manual further-coordination for Part 107 operators.
Federal Land Restrictions
Drones prohibited in NPS units; restrictions in U.S. Forest Service land.
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park (Cornish) and Appalachian Trail corridor (36 CFR § 1.5) ban drones entirely. White Mountain National Forest (USFS Order R9-22-19-01) prohibits takeoff/landing within 1/4 mile of Forest Protection Areas and in six Wilderness areas (Great Gulf, Pemigewasset, Presidential Range–Dry River, Sandwich Range, Wild River, Caribou-Speckled).
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
New Hampshire 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 available at 726 airports nationwide. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) Class C airspace dominates metro New Hampshire; authorization required for flights in the controlled rings. Boston Class B shelf extends into far-southern New Hampshire. Concord Municipal Airport (CON) Class D and Nashua-area Class D also require LAANC or manual coordination. LAANC near-real-time requests available through FAA-approved service providers (Airspace Link, AutoPylot, Avision, UASidekick, etc.). Further-coordination requests available for Part 107 pilots seeking flight above designated UAS Facility Map ceilings (up to 400 feet).
Major Airports
MHT — Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (Class C)CON — Concord Municipal Airport (Class D)ASH — Nashua Airport / Boire Field (Class D)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are dynamic and change frequently. Stadium TFRs apply during major events (e.g., Razorback football games, sporting events, airshows). Check B4UFLY or the FAA TFR map before every flight. FIFA World Cup 2026 may introduce dynamic TFRs if host cities are in New England region.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
SB 519Referred for Interim Study (House Committee)Relative to the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems
Proposed legislation addressing regulation of unmanned aerial systems. Passed Senate with amendment (Vote 5-0, March 12, 2026) but was referred for interim study by House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee (Vote 18-0, April 8, 2026), preventing passage in 2026 session.
Last action: April 23, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire | UNH requires coordination with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and campus police for all drone operations on campus. No flights permitted over campus events or athletic gatherings. Restrictions: All flights require EHS approval and coordination. No flights over events, gatherings, athletic events, or campus ceremonies. Takeoff and landing must comply with university property rules. | Yes | 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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