Pennsylvania Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Pennsylvania's drone regulations focus on land-access restrictions rather than broad operational prohibitions: only 6 of 121 state parks permit drones, and all state game lands (1.5 million acres) are prohibited. Act 78 (2018) criminalized drone surveillance in private places and contraband delivery to prisons (the latter carries felony penalties up to 10 years imprisonment), while Pennsylvania's two-party consent wiretap law creates felony exposure for drone audio recording without consent. State-wide preemption of municipal ordinances simplifies compliance but does not extend to restrictions on city-owned property.
State Drone Laws
18 Pa.C.S. § 3505Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft
Prohibits intentionally or knowingly conducting surveillance of another person in a private place with an unmanned aircraft. Defines 'private place' as any location where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
18 Pa.C.S. § 3505(a)(2)Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft — Operating to Place Another in Reasonable Fear of Bodily Injury
Prohibits operating a drone in a manner that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily injury, including buzzing crowds, chasing pedestrians, or hovering at eye level to menace.
18 Pa.C.S. § 3505(a)(3)Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft — Delivery of Contraband to Correctional Facility
Prohibits using an unmanned aircraft to deliver, provide, transmit, or furnish contraband to an inmate in a correctional facility, prison, or jail. Addresses aerial supply lines to secure facilities.
53 Pa.C.S. § 305Local Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Prohibited
Establishes state preemption preventing counties, cities, boroughs, townships, and municipalities from regulating drone ownership or operation. Carve-outs permit Commonwealth agencies (DCNR, Game Commission, Turnpike Commission) to regulate drones on their own property, and cities to regulate takeoff/landing on city-owned property as a use-of-property matter.
17 Pa. Code § 11.215DCNR Drone Restrictions in State Parks and Game Lands
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources enforces a default ban on drones in state parks and designated natural areas, with limited exceptions for approved operations. Only six state parks permit drone flights in designated areas: Beltzville, Benjamin Rush, Hillman, Lackawanna, Prompton, and Tuscarora. All 1.5 million acres of state game lands are off-limits to drone operations.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2308Unlawful Devices and Methods — Hunting; Drone Prohibition
Prohibits using unmanned aircraft to locate, drive, harass, or take any game or wildlife. Pennsylvania Game Commission treats recovery of wounded or downed deer as part of the act of hunting and currently does not permit drone-assisted recovery. Violations documented with penalties up to $2,500 and potential loss of hunting privileges.
58 Pa. Code Chapter 141PA Game Commission Regulations — Hunting and Wildlife Protection
Implementing regulations for Title 34 § 2308 that prohibit drone use to scout, locate, or recover game. Applies to all Pennsylvania Game Lands (308 tracts, 1.5 million acres).
18 Pa.C.S. § 7507.1Invasion of Privacy (Peeping Tom Law)
General privacy statute that applies to drone surveillance. Prohibits invading another person's privacy in a manner not covered by § 3505's narrow 'private place' definition. Used as alternative charge for drone privacy violations.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5703Wiretap Act — Two-Party Consent for Recording
Pennsylvania is an all-party consent state. Recording any oral communication (including drone-captured audio) without consent from all parties is prohibited. Applies to drones with active microphones. Violation is a third-degree felony.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Philadelphia
cityPhiladelphia Parks & Recreation Permit Requirement
Philadelphia requires permits for drone takeoff and landing from city-owned property, including Fairmount Park and city-run recreation centers. Enforces use-of-property restrictions, surviving Act 78 preemption.
Restrictions
Takeoff and landing on city-owned property requires written permit. Commercial filming requires separate permit. Recreational flight in Fairmount Park generally not permitted.
Pittsburgh
cityPittsburgh Parks Conservancy Permit Requirement
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy requires written permission for drone flight in regional parks (Schenley, Frick, Riverview, Highland).
Restrictions
Takeoff and landing on city-owned park property requires permit from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
Allegheny County
countyAllegheny County Parks Special Use Permit
Allegheny County Parks (nine parks including North Park and South Park) handle drone requests through a Special Use permit process.
Restrictions
Takeoff and landing on county park property requires Special Use permit approval.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone surveillance in a private place (18 Pa.C.S. § 3505(a)(1)) | Summary Offense | Up to $300 | Up to 90 days | Pennsylvania State Police / Municipal Police / County District Attorneys | Applies when drone conducts surveillance of a person in a location where they have reasonable expectation of privacy. |
| Operating drone to place another in reasonable fear of bodily injury (18 Pa.C.S. § 3505(a)(2)) | Summary Offense | Up to $300 | Up to 90 days | Pennsylvania State Police / Municipal Police / County District Attorneys | Covers buzzing crowds, chasing pedestrians, or aggressive hovering. |
| Delivering contraband via drone to correctional facility (18 Pa.C.S. § 3505(a)(3)) | Felony of the Second Degree | Up to $25,000 | 5 to 10 years | Federal Bureau of Investigation / Pennsylvania State Police / Department of Corrections | Severe penalty reflects prison contraband concerns. Often prosecuted federally. |
| Recording audio without all-party consent (18 Pa.C.S. § 5703) | Third-Degree Felony | Up to $15,000 | Up to 7 years | Pennsylvania State Police / District Attorneys | Critical for drone operators: if drone microphone captures conversation without all parties' consent, this felony exposure applies. No prosecutor has charged a drone pilot under this statute to date, but the risk is real. |
| Invasion of privacy via drone (18 Pa.C.S. § 7507.1) | Third-Degree Misdemeanor (first offense); Second-Degree Misdemeanor (repeat) | $2,500 (M3) to $5,000 (M2) | Up to 1 year (M3) to 2 years (M2) | Pennsylvania State Police / Municipal Police / County District Attorneys | Alternative charge for drone privacy violations outside § 3505's narrow 'private place' definition. |
| Using drone to locate, harass, or take game (34 Pa.C.S. § 2308 / 58 Pa. Code § 141) | Summary Offense (Game Commission) + License Impact | Up to $2,500 | Not specified (summary offense) | Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officers | Includes hunting prohibition and recovery of wounded/downed deer. Lancaster County sting operation (2023) resulted in 4 citations and $2,500+ fines. |
| Drone flight in Pennsylvania state park without authorization (17 Pa. Code § 11.215) | Summary Offense | Varies | Not specified | DCNR Park Rangers / Pennsylvania State Police | Applies to all state parks except six designated sites (Beltzville, Benjamin Rush, Hillman, Lackawanna, Prompton, Tuscarora). |
Drone surveillance in a private place (18 Pa.C.S. § 3505(a)(1))
Applies when drone conducts surveillance of a person in a location where they have reasonable expectation of privacy.
Operating drone to place another in reasonable fear of bodily injury (18 Pa.C.S. § 3505(a)(2))
Covers buzzing crowds, chasing pedestrians, or aggressive hovering.
Delivering contraband via drone to correctional facility (18 Pa.C.S. § 3505(a)(3))
Severe penalty reflects prison contraband concerns. Often prosecuted federally.
Recording audio without all-party consent (18 Pa.C.S. § 5703)
Critical for drone operators: if drone microphone captures conversation without all parties' consent, this felony exposure applies. No prosecutor has charged a drone pilot under this statute to date, but the risk is real.
Invasion of privacy via drone (18 Pa.C.S. § 7507.1)
Alternative charge for drone privacy violations outside § 3505's narrow 'private place' definition.
Using drone to locate, harass, or take game (34 Pa.C.S. § 2308 / 58 Pa. Code § 141)
Includes hunting prohibition and recovery of wounded/downed deer. Lancaster County sting operation (2023) resulted in 4 citations and $2,500+ fines.
Drone flight in Pennsylvania state park without authorization (17 Pa. Code § 11.215)
Applies to all state parks except six designated sites (Beltzville, Benjamin Rush, Hillman, Lackawanna, Prompton, Tuscarora).
Registration, Fees & Taxes
Pennsylvania imposes state-level registration, licensing, insurance, or fee requirements
Commercial operators: budget for the state fees below before operating here. Federal FAA registration is still required separately.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
- Other Fees
- DCNR Filming/Commercial Permit — Varies (case-by-case)Required for commercial drone work in state parks. Processing time: 30 days advance notice. Not typically granted for recreational flights.
- Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commercial Filming Permit — VariesRequired for commercial drone filming on city-owned property including Fairmount Park.
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Special Use Permit — VariesRequired for takeoff/landing on city regional parks (Schenley, Frick, Riverview, Highland).
- Allegheny County Parks Special Use Permit — VariesRequired for takeoff/landing on county-owned parks.
Pennsylvania does not require state-level drone registration beyond the FAA's federal registration ($5 for three years for drones over 250g). No state commercial operator licensing is required beyond FAA Part 107. No state-specific insurance mandates exist. No state sales tax is specifically applied to drone purchases.
No statewide state-level permit required. However, city-owned property permits are required in Philadelphia (Parks & Recreation), Pittsburgh (Parks Conservancy), and Allegheny County Parks. DCNR filming permits required for commercial work in state parks. Game Commission permits not generally available for drone hunting/recovery.
Pennsylvania does not mandate drone insurance at the state level. Most commercial clients require $1 million liability coverage.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Commercial Certification
Commercial drone operations require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 test fee, valid 24 months).
Pennsylvania does not impose additional state commercial licensing beyond FAA Part 107. Multiple FAA-approved testing centers operate in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, and smaller cities. Same-week availability is typical in metro areas.
Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Recreational drone pilots must pass the free online FAA TRUST test before flying.
Pennsylvania recreational operators follow 49 USC 44809 rules. TRUST certificate must be carried when flying. Test is available through multiple FAA-approved administrators and is fully correctable to 100%.
FAA Registration
All drones over 250 grams (0.55 lbs) must be registered with the FAA.
Federal registration costs $5 per drone for 3 years. Registration number must be visibly marked on the aircraft. Pennsylvania imposes no additional state-level registration fee or requirement.
Remote ID Requirement
Remote ID has been mandatory for all outdoor drone flights since March 16, 2024.
All registered drones must broadcast identification, location, and altitude information. Exemption for flights inside FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs). Pennsylvania has no state-level Remote ID exemptions or modifications to federal rules.
Altitude and Line-of-Sight Rules
Standard FAA limits apply: 400 feet AGL, visual line of sight, daylight/civil twilight unless waivers obtained.
Pennsylvania enforces federal altitude restrictions with no state modifications. Night flight permitted with anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles (federal standard).
Controlled Airspace Authorization (LAANC)
LAANC authorization required for Class B, C, D, and surface Class E airspace.
Philadelphia (PHL) and Pittsburgh (PIT) Class B airports require LAANC authorization. Harrisburg (MDT), Allentown (ABE), and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AVP) Class C airports also require LAANC. Available through DJI Fly, Aloft, and other approved LAANC service suppliers.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Pennsylvania 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 widely available at all major Pennsylvania airports through multiple providers including DJI Fly, Aloft, and AirHub. Class B airspace at Philadelphia International (PHL) and Pittsburgh International (PIT) requires LAANC authorization. Class C airspace at Harrisburg (MDT), Allentown (ABE), and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AVP) also require LAANC. Military restricted zones around Letterkenny Army Depot and Tobyhanna Army Depot restrict airspace in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Major Airports
PHL — Philadelphia International AirportPIT — Pittsburgh International AirportMDT — Harrisburg International AirportABE — Lehigh Valley International AirportAVP — Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport
TFR Notice
Active Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) around stadiums seating 30,000+: Beaver Stadium (Penn State, University Park), Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers/Pitt Panthers), Linc (Philadelphia Eagles). Federal TFRs extend 3 miles around stadiums during covered events (MLB, NFL, NCAA D-I football, motorsport), 1 hour before through 1 hour after event. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and other NPS sites (Gettysburg, Valley Forge, Independence Hall, Flight 93 Memorial) prohibit drone launches and landings.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Allentown Resident Convicted of Contraband Delivery via Drone to Federal Prison
enforcementGamalier Rivera, age 33, of Allentown, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges for delivering contraband via drone to FCI McDowell, a federal prison in West Virginia. Sentenced in July 2025 to 3 years probation and 2 months home detention. Case prosecuted federally; Pennsylvania's Title 18 § 3505(a)(3) carries even stiffer penalties (5-10 years, $25,000 as state felony 2).
Pennsylvania Game Commission Sting Operation on Drone Deer Recovery
enforcementPennsylvania Game Commission conducted enforcement action in Lancaster County targeting a commercial drone pilot operating a deer-recovery service on state game lands. Pilot received 4 citations: 2 counts of using unlawful devices, disturbance of wildlife, and restrictions on searchlighting. Fines exceeded $2,500. Incident prompted SB 303 (2025-2026 session) proposing legal carve-out for drone-assisted deer recovery, but bill has not passed.
Pending Legislation
SB 303In Committee — referred to Game & Fisheries CommitteeGame or Wildlife Recovery Permits
Would amend Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide for game or wildlife recovery permits, carving out a legal exception for drone-assisted deer recovery. Currently, drone recovery is prohibited under 34 Pa.C.S. § 2308 and 58 Pa. Code Chapter 141. Bill would allow permitted recovery operations.
Last action: February 25, 2025
SB 468Laid on the table (failed, 2026-02-03) — previously passed Senate 50-0 on 2025-06-23Interstate Agreements for Research and Deployment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Would amend Title 74 (Transportation) to authorize Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to enter into interstate agreements for research and deployment relating to unmanned aircraft systems. Passed Senate with bipartisan support but stalled in House Transportation Committee.
Last action: February 3, 2026
HB 1926Referred to Judiciary CommitteeFurther Providing for the Offense of Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft
Would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) § 3505 to modify the offense of unlawful use of unmanned aircraft. Specific amendments not detailed in available sources but indicates legislative interest in refining drone criminal statutes.
Last action: October 6, 2025
HB 2239Referred to Judiciary CommitteeFurther Providing for the Offense of Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft
Companion or alternative bill to HB 1926 proposing amendments to Title 18 § 3505. Bipartisan sponsorship (Brenda Pugh (R), Nikki Rivera (D), and others).
Last action: February 25, 2026
HR 13Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations CommitteeResolution Urging Federal Government to Provide State and Local Authorities to Respond to Unidentified Drone Threats
Non-binding resolution urging the federal government to provide state and local governments with legal authority to respond swiftly and decisively to unidentified drone threats. Reflects state concern about rogue/unidentified drones.
Last action: January 17, 2025
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State University | Penn State requires drone operators to obtain approval from the Office of Physical Plant and Environmental Health & Safety before flying on campus. Beaver Stadium operates under a strict TFR during Razorback football games and other athletic events. No flights permitted over campus buildings, medical facilities, or crowds. Restrictions: Prior approval from Environmental Health & Safety required. Beaver Stadium TFR strictly enforced during football games and major events. No flights over buildings, medical centers, or high-traffic areas. Operator must provide proof of FAA registration and liability insurance. | Yes | Environmental Health & Safety / Office of Physical Plant — ehs@psu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh | University of Pittsburgh requires drone operators to obtain approval from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety. Acrisure Stadium (shared with Pittsburgh Steelers) operates under a TFR during football games, basketball games, and other major events. Restrictions: Prior approval from Office of Environmental Health & Safety required. Acrisure Stadium TFR enforced during all scheduled events. Operator must provide proof of FAA registration, liability insurance, and Part 107 certification (for commercial operations). | Yes | Office of Environmental Health & Safety — oeh@pitt.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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