Tennessee Drone Laws

Establishes 19+ lawful exceptions to drone surveillance prohibitions, including higher education research, utility infrastructure inspection, real estate photography, mapping and surveying, insurance claims assessment, law enforcement operations, and emergency management.

Makes it a Class C misdemeanor to use a drone to capture images of a person or property with intent to conduct surveillance, to capture images at ticketed events (100+ people) without consent, to use a drone near fireworks displays during an event, or to fly over correctional facility grounds. Each image constitutes a separate offense.

Makes it a Class E felony to knowingly fly a drone within 250 feet of the perimeter of any critical-infrastructure facility for purposes of surveillance, gathering evidence, or recording critical-infrastructure data without the facility operator's written consent. Critical infrastructure includes electrical power generation systems, transmission components, substations, petroleum refineries, chemical/rubber manufacturing, petroleum/chemical storage, water/wastewater treatment, natural gas/propane infrastructure, railroad yards not open to public, and communication service facilities.

As amended by SB 2543/HB 2368 (enacted 2026), creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for operating an unmanned aircraft within 400 feet of or above any ticketed entertainment event.

Makes it a Class C misdemeanor to possess an unlawfully captured image, and a Class B misdemeanor to disclose, display, distribute, or otherwise use an unlawfully captured image. Each image constitutes a separate offense. Two affirmative defenses are available: destruction of image upon discovery of illegality, or cessation of distribution upon such discovery.

Prohibits the use of unlawfully captured drone images as evidence in criminal or civil proceedings in Tennessee. Images obtained in violation of drone surveillance laws are inadmissible.

Restricts law enforcement use of drones. A police agency may not use a drone to gather evidence or information without a warrant, except in narrow exceptions: reasonable suspicion of imminent danger to life, search for a fugitive, missing-person searches, hostage situations, or emergencies. Data collected must be deleted within 15 business days unless directly relevant to the lawful purpose. Persons aggrieved by violations have civil standing to sue.

Defines criminal trespass to include causing an unmanned aircraft to enter the non-navigable airspace above someone's private land without consent. Class C misdemeanor. Three affirmative defenses: reasonable belief that consent had been granted, conduct that did not substantially interfere with property owner's use, or immediately leaving upon request.

Makes it a Class C misdemeanor for any private entity to conduct video surveillance of a person lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing without their written consent.

Drones are treated as aircraft under state park regulations. Flight, operation, launching, or landing of drones within Tennessee state park boundaries is prohibited without written approval from the park manager. No operation within 500 feet of bathing beaches, boat docks, floats, piers, or ramps. No operation within one mile of water-controlled structures (dams, spillways).

Public drone operation is prohibited on and over all developed TVA public lands, facilities, and structures—including TVA dam reservations, developed recreation areas, power plant reservations, power substations, and transmission lines. Drones may be operated over undeveloped TVA land and water, but not over dams, substations, or developed recreation areas. Drones may not harass, harm, or interfere with wildlife.

As enacted by SB 2434/HB 2147 (2026), creates a Class C misdemeanor offense for knowingly using an unmanned aircraft over the grounds of a school.

As authorized by SB 130/HB 175 (2025), authorizes the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to promulgate rules allowing the use of drones to locate and retrieve wounded deer on private land. Operations limited to 30 minutes after official sunset through midnight. Recovery only; no scouting or hunting with weapons present during drone flight.

Davidson County Ordinance § 13.24.400 - Aviation in Metro Parks

Prohibits bringing, landing, or causing any aircraft (including drones) to alight in any Davidson County park, with three designated exceptions where permits are required.

Shelby Farms Drone Operations Policy

Shelby Farms Park, the major recreational green space in Memphis, permits recreational drone operations under specified conditions.

Knoxville Airspace and Park Restrictions

Knoxville has no comprehensive drone-in-parks ordinance, but airspace restrictions dominate. Downtown Knoxville sits under Class C airspace (McGhee Tyson, TYS) and Island Home Airport (DKX) Class D shelf.

Chattanooga Code Chapter 8 - Aviation

Chattanooga governs aviation citywide under Code Chapter 8, with emphasis on critical infrastructure near the Chickamauga Dam and Sequoyah Nuclear Plant.