Vermont Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Vermont has a moderate regulatory posture toward drone operations, enacting targeted laws in specific areas such as law enforcement use and weapons prohibition while leaving commercial and recreational operations largely governed by federal FAA rules. The state's primary drone statute (Act 97, codified from SB 155, 2016) requires law enforcement agencies to obtain warrants before using drones for surveillance, mandates annual reporting, and prohibits weaponized drones. Vermont does not require state-level drone registration and has not enacted broad restrictions on recreational or commercial operations, though operators must comply with all applicable FAA requirements including Part 107 and TRUST.
State Drone Laws
20 V.S.A. § 4621–4625Regulation of Law Enforcement Drone Use and Weaponization Prohibition (Act 97 / SB 155)
Codifies SB 155 (Act 97 of 2016) into Vermont statutes. Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before using a drone for surveillance, with limited exceptions for exigent circumstances, public events, and search and rescue. Requires annual reporting to the legislature on drone use. Prohibits any person or entity from attaching a weapon to a drone or using a weaponized drone.
20 V.S.A. § 4622Law Enforcement Drone Warrant Requirement
Prohibits law enforcement from using a drone to conduct surveillance of a person, place, or thing without first obtaining a warrant issued by a Vermont court. Exceptions exist for exigent circumstances, monitoring public events with supervisory approval, and search and rescue operations.
20 V.S.A. § 4625Prohibition on Weaponized Drones
Prohibits any person from attaching a weapon to a drone, using a drone to fire, launch, or release any projectile, chemical, or biological weapon, or using a drone to electronically interfere with critical infrastructure. Applies to all persons and entities, not just law enforcement.
20 V.S.A. § 4624Law Enforcement Annual Drone Use Reporting
Requires each law enforcement agency that uses drones to submit an annual report to the Vermont Legislature detailing the number of drone deployments, the purposes for which drones were used, the number of warrants sought and obtained, and any incidents involving drone malfunction or accident.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Burlington, VT
City of Burlington Parks and Recreation Drone Use Policy
The City of Burlington Parks and Recreation Department has established informal guidelines discouraging drone flights over city parks and recreational areas without prior coordination, particularly where public gatherings occur. There is no formal municipal ordinance codified as of the last review.
View sourcePenalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Vermont does not impose state-level registration requirements for drones. All federal FAA registration requirements apply. Recreational operators must register drones weighing more than 0.55 lbs (250g) with the FAA for $5. Commercial operators under Part 107 must also register their UAS with the FAA.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Part 107 Commercial Operations
Commercial drone operators in Vermont must comply with FAA Part 107 regulations
All drone pilots operating commercially in Vermont are subject to the FAA's Part 107 Small UAS Rule, which requires obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate by passing the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test. Vermont has not enacted any state commercial drone licensing regime that supplements Part 107.
Recreational UAS Operations
Recreational drone operators must follow FAA recreational model aircraft rules
Hobbyist drone operators in Vermont must complete the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and comply with FAA recreational rules under 49 U.S.C. § 44809. Drones over 0.55 lbs (250g) must be registered with the FAA for $5.
Government Operations
Government employees flying drones must comply with federal authorization requirements and Vermont state warrant requirements
Vermont government and law enforcement employees operating drones must comply with both FAA Part 107 or COA requirements AND Vermont's warrant requirement under 20 V.S.A. § 4622 before using drones for surveillance purposes. This is an area where state law supplements federal requirements with additional civil liberties protections.
FAA Preemption of Airspace
The FAA retains exclusive jurisdiction over navigable airspace; Vermont state law governs privacy and law enforcement use on the ground level
Under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act and subsequent legislation, the FAA has exclusive authority to regulate drone flight in navigable airspace. Vermont's drone laws focus on privacy, warrant requirements, and weapons — areas not preempted by federal law — rather than attempting to regulate airspace itself. Vermont has no state preemption statute barring local ordinances, creating potential for local patchwork regulation.
Remote ID
FAA Remote ID rule applies to Vermont drone operators
As of September 16, 2023, the FAA's Remote ID rule is fully in effect. All drone operators in Vermont must either operate a drone with built-in Remote ID capability, attach a Remote ID broadcast module, or operate within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Vermont has not enacted separate state-level Remote ID requirements.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is available in Vermont airspace through the FAA, primarily covering the Class C and Class D airspace surrounding Burlington International Airport (BTV) and other controlled airports.
Major Airports
BTV — Burlington International Airport (Class C)RUT — Rutland Regional Airport (Class D)MPV — Edward F. Knapp State Airport (Class D)VSF — Hartness State Airport (Springfield)DDH — William H. Morse State Airport (Bennington)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may be issued around Vermont State Airports and other sensitive areas including correctional facilities and major public events. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) encourages notification of UAS operations near state airports via the VTrans UAS Notification Form. Drone operators should check NOTAMs and the FAA B4UFLY app prior to every flight.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
H0654Introduced — Referred to Committee on Government Operations and Military AffairsAn act relating to Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force
Proposes creation of a Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force. While primarily focused on anomalous phenomena, the bill could have implications for UAS airspace coordination and reporting. Drone relevance is indirect.
Last action: January 13, 2026
S0246Introduced — Referred to Committee on TransportationAn act relating to tax exemptions for noncommercial aircraft and revenue sharing with airports
Addresses tax exemptions for noncommercial aircraft and revenue sharing arrangements with airports. May have indirect relevance to drone operations depending on how 'aircraft' is defined and whether drones are included in exemption provisions.
Last action: January 14, 2026
H0907Passed House — Third ReadingAn act relating to legislative review of reporting requirements
Committee bill relating to legislative review of various state reporting requirements. May affect the annual law enforcement drone use reporting requirement under 20 V.S.A. § 4624 if drone reporting is among the requirements reviewed for modification or elimination. Requires monitoring.
Last action: February 25, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont (UVM) | UVM requires all drone operators — students, faculty, staff, and external parties — to coordinate with the Department of Risk Management and Safety and the UVM Police Services before operating an unmanned aircraft system on or above university property. Prior written approval is required. Operators must demonstrate FAA certification (Part 107 or recreational TRUST completion) and comply with all FAA regulations. Restrictions: Prior written approval from Risk Management required. Coordination with UVM Police Services required. No flights over university events, gatherings, or athletic facilities without specific authorization. Operators must hold applicable FAA certification. Flights must comply with all applicable FAA rules including airspace authorizations. | Yes | UVM Department of Risk Management and Safety |
| Middlebury College | Middlebury College requires individuals wishing to operate drones on college property to obtain prior written authorization from the Director of Public Safety. All operators must comply with FAA regulations and hold applicable certifications. Commercial drone use on campus requires additional approval from college administration. Restrictions: Prior written authorization from Director of Public Safety required. FAA certification required. No drone use over athletic events, commencement, or other large gatherings without specific approval. Commercial filming requires additional authorization. | Yes | Middlebury College Department of Public Safety |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) | Vermont State University (formed by the merger of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College) has adopted a unified UAS policy requiring all drone operators to obtain approval from campus administration and comply with FAA regulations before operating on any VTSU campus. Research drone use must also be approved by the relevant academic department. Restrictions: Prior administrative approval required. FAA compliance mandatory. Research use requires departmental approval. No flights over campus events without specific authorization. | Yes | VTSU Campus Administration / Chief Administrative Officer |
| Saint Michael's College | Saint Michael's College requires advance permission from Campus Safety for any drone operations on college property. Operators must comply with all FAA regulations and hold the required FAA certifications for the type of operation being conducted. Restrictions: Advance permission from Campus Safety required. FAA certification required. No flights over campus events or residential areas without specific authorization. | Yes | Saint Michael's College Campus 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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