Vermont Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Vermont enacted one of the nation's first dedicated drone laws in 2016 and has continued to strengthen its regulatory framework with privacy protections and wildlife restrictions. The state imposes strict warrant requirements for law enforcement drone use, civil penalties for recreational flights below 100 feet over private property (effective June 2024), and criminal penalties for weaponized drones and hunting applications. Commercial operations follow standard FAA Part 107 rules with no additional state licensing.
State Drone Laws
20 V.S.A. § 4622Law Enforcement Use of Drones
Prohibits Vermont law enforcement agencies from using drones to investigate, detect, or prosecute crimes without a warrant under Rule 41 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure or a recognized exception to the warrant requirement. Prohibits surveillance of people peacefully exercising constitutional rights to free speech or assembly. Prohibits facial recognition or biometric matching on non-target individuals caught in surveillance frames. Prohibits equipping drones with weapons or firing projectiles from drones.
20 V.S.A. § 4623Use of Drones; Federal Aviation Administration Requirements
Requires that any use of drones in Vermont, including by law enforcement agencies, shall comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements and guidelines.
20 V.S.A. § 4624Drone Use Annual Reporting by Law Enforcement
Requires any Vermont law enforcement agency that has used a drone within the previous 12 months to report to the Department of Public Safety by September 1. Reports must include the number of drone deployments, type of incident for each use, nature of information collected, rationale for each deployment, number of criminal investigations aided and arrests made, instances where data was collected on persons or areas other than the surveillance target, and total program costs with funding source.
20 V.S.A. § 4625Drones Over Correctional Facilities
Makes it a civil violation to knowingly operate a drone over a correctional facility or over surrounding property that is recognizable as prison land or marked by fencing or signs. Exceptions apply only to the Vermont Department of Corrections, persons with written consent from the supervising officer, commercial FAA-authorized operators, and designated government users providing advance notice to the facility.
20 V.S.A. § 4626Operation of Drones Over Private Property
Prohibits flying a drone for hobby or recreational purposes lower than 100 feet AGL over privately owned land without the owner's prior written consent. Also prohibits using a drone to record or surveil private property or its occupants in a manner that violates their reasonable expectation of privacy. The law creates a legal presumption that persons not observable from ground level have a reasonable expectation of privacy even if visible from above. Part 107 commercial operators, emergency responders, and authorized government agencies are exempt. Drone sellers must provide written notice of these rules to buyers.
13 V.S.A. § 2605Voyeurism / Unlawful Recording by Drone
Criminal statute prohibiting viewing, photographing, filming, or recording a person's intimate areas without their consent where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Applies to drone-based surveillance and camera systems. Also prohibits sharing or displaying images captured in violation of this statute.
10 App. V.S.A. § 20Aerial Hunting Prohibition
Prohibits the use of drones by any person to take or attempt to take wild animals, to locate or surveil wild animals for hunting purposes, to drive or harass any wild animal, or to aid or assist in attempting to locate, surveil, or take a wild animal. Applies to all drone operators, not just licensed hunters. Complements the prohibition on use of aircraft for hunting.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Town of Colchester
townDrone Launch and Landing Restrictions in Parks
Prohibits launching, landing, or operating a drone within town park property except in emergency law enforcement situations or with permission secured from the Parks Director.
Restrictions
No launch, landing, or operation on town parks except emergency LE use or with written Parks Director permission
City of Burlington
cityDrone Operations in City Parks
Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department does not issue civilian drone permits for operations in city parks. Most parks fall within Class C controlled airspace from Burlington International Airport and require FAA LAANC authorization. Pilots are directed to comply with FAA regulations. Starr Farm Park, located in uncontrolled Class G airspace adjacent to Lake Champlain, is the exception.
Restrictions
No drone permits issued by city. LAANC authorization required for most city parks due to Class C airspace. Exception: Starr Farm Park (Class G airspace) allows recreational flying with FAA compliance.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weaponization of drone or improper law enforcement use under 20 V.S.A. § 4622 | Criminal Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | Vermont State Police, Local Law Enforcement, State's Attorneys | Evidence gathered in violation of the warrant requirement is inadmissible in court. Agencies must destroy collected data if warrant is denied. |
| Operating drone over correctional facility (20 V.S.A. § 4625) | Civil Violation | Up to $500 | None | Vermont Department of Corrections, State Police, Local Law Enforcement | Civil remedy only. Narrow exceptions for DOC, written consent, FAA-authorized commercial operators, and designated government users. |
| Recreational flight below 100 feet over private property without written consent (20 V.S.A. § 4626) | Civil Violation | $50 (first offense), up to $250 (repeat offenses) | None | Local Law Enforcement, Vermont State Police | Property owners may pursue additional civil remedies for damages. Applies to recreational flights only; Part 107 commercial operators are exempt. |
| Surveillance or voyeurism by drone (13 V.S.A. § 2605) | Criminal Felony/Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 (first); up to $5,000 (repeat or disclosure) | Up to 2 years (first); up to 3 years (repeat); up to 5 years (disclosure) | State's Attorneys, Vermont State Police | Covers recording intimate areas or private activities without consent. Includes sharing or displaying unlawfully captured images. |
| Aerial hunting or harassment of wildlife (10 App. V.S.A. § 20) | Criminal Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Wardens, State Police | Applies to using drones to take, locate, surveil, drive, or harass any wild animal, not just game animals. Recreational drone use on Fish & Wildlife Department lands is also prohibited. |
Weaponization of drone or improper law enforcement use under 20 V.S.A. § 4622
Evidence gathered in violation of the warrant requirement is inadmissible in court. Agencies must destroy collected data if warrant is denied.
Operating drone over correctional facility (20 V.S.A. § 4625)
Civil remedy only. Narrow exceptions for DOC, written consent, FAA-authorized commercial operators, and designated government users.
Recreational flight below 100 feet over private property without written consent (20 V.S.A. § 4626)
Property owners may pursue additional civil remedies for damages. Applies to recreational flights only; Part 107 commercial operators are exempt.
Surveillance or voyeurism by drone (13 V.S.A. § 2605)
Covers recording intimate areas or private activities without consent. Includes sharing or displaying unlawfully captured images.
Aerial hunting or harassment of wildlife (10 App. V.S.A. § 20)
Applies to using drones to take, locate, surveil, drive, or harass any wild animal, not just game animals. Recreational drone use on Fish & Wildlife Department lands is also prohibited.
Registration, Fees & Taxes
Vermont 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
- FPR Special Use Permit for State Parks/Forests — Varies by agency, use, and durationCommercial and certain recreational operators requiring written approval from the Commissioner of Forests, Parks & Recreation to launch, land, or operate on state-managed lands including state parks, state forests, and recreation areas.
Vermont does not require state-level drone registration beyond federal FAA registration. All drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). No separate Vermont state registration, commercial drone license, or business permit specific to drone operations is required. Standard business licensing under Vermont law applies to commercial drone service providers.
No state-level permit required for general commercial or recreational drone flights. However, a Special Use Permit or License from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation is required to launch or land on state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. Local governments may require permits for takeoff and landing on municipal property they control.
No state-mandated insurance requirement for drone operations, though commercial drone service providers should maintain liability insurance as a best practice.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operations
Commercial drone operators in Vermont must comply with FAA Part 107 rules and obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate
Vermont has no separate state commercial drone license. The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 knowledge test) is the required credential for all commercial drone operations. Part 107 operators are explicitly exempt from Vermont's 100-foot private property overflight rule (20 V.S.A. § 4626), allowing them to fly over private property at any legal altitude for legitimate commercial purposes without written consent.
Recreational Flyer Exception (TRUST)
Recreational drone operators must pass the TRUST test and follow community safety guidelines
The free Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) is required before any recreational flight. Certificate must be carried when flying. Recreational pilots are subject to all Vermont state laws, including the 100-foot private property overflight restriction and voyeurism statute. Must follow FAA-recognized community-based organization guidelines (e.g., AMA safety code).
Remote ID Broadcast Requirement
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information since March 16, 2024
Vermont enforces the federal Remote ID mandate. Drones must broadcast remote identification or operate within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Registration number must be visible on aircraft exterior.
Altitude and Visual Line of Sight Limits
400 feet AGL is the federal altitude ceiling; Vermont does not impose lower limits
Standard FAA altitude limits apply statewide. Visual line of sight (VLOS) required for all flights unless waivered. In controlled airspace around Burlington (Class C), LAANC may approve lower ceilings. Daylight or civil twilight required unless waivered (night operations now allowed under revised Part 107 rules with anti-collision lighting).
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Vermont 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) authorization is available at Burlington International Airport (BTV), which anchors the only Class C airspace in Vermont. Most of Vermont outside the Burlington Class C rings is uncontrolled Class G or Class E airspace, where flights below 400 feet do not require LAANC. Starr Farm Park in Burlington is notable as the only city park in uncontrolled Class G airspace.
Major Airports
BTV — Burlington International Airport (Class C)
TFR Notice
No permanent TFRs specific to civilian drone operations in Vermont. Check B4UFLY app for active temporary flight restrictions and security exclusions before every flight.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
H0654In Committee — Government Operations and Military AffairsAn Act Relating to Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force
Proposes the establishment of a Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Task Force to study airspace security and investigate reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena. Specific drone-related provisions not detailed in bill status summary.
Last action: January 13, 2026
S0246In Committee — TransportationAn Act Relating to Tax Exemptions for Noncommercial Aircraft and Revenue Sharing with Airports
Addresses state tax treatment of noncommercial aircraft and revenue allocation to airports. May affect Vermont's sales tax or aircraft-related tax treatment of drones if drones are classified as noncommercial aircraft under state law.
Last action: January 14, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont | UVM requires all drone operators to coordinate with the Department of Risk Management and Safety and campus police before operating on university property. No drone flights are permitted over university events or gatherings. Restrictions: Must obtain approval from Department of Risk Management and Safety prior to flight. No flights over university events, buildings, crowds, or organized gatherings. All operators must comply with FAA regulations and Vermont state drone laws. | Yes | Department of Risk Management and 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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