Wisconsin Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Wisconsin maintains a moderate regulatory stance toward drone operations with well-defined state-specific statutes addressing privacy, correctional facilities, schools, and utility infrastructure. The state has no separate registration or commercial licensing requirements beyond federal FAA rules, but enforces civil and criminal penalties for violations including Class A misdemeanors for privacy invasion and Class H felonies for weaponized drones.
State Drone Laws
Wis. Stat. § 114.045(1)(a)Drone Operations Over Correctional Institutions
Prohibits operating a drone over a correctional institution or its grounds. Authorization required from the Secretary of Corrections for state facilities or the county sheriff for county jails. Law enforcement investigating violations may seize all photographs, video, and data recorded by the drone.
Wis. Stat. § 114.045(1)(b) (2025 Wisconsin Act 194)Drone Operations Near Utility Facilities
Prohibits operating a drone below 300 feet over or within 500 feet of electric power plants, generating stations, electric substations, natural gas facilities, water reclamation facilities, telecommunications plants, internet/cable service provider facilities, or petroleum refineries. Exceptions for facility owner-directed operations and commercial flights in compliance with FAA regulations.
Wis. Stat. § 114.045(1)(b) (2025 Wisconsin Act 189)Drone Operations Over School Property
Prohibits operating a drone over property owned by a school or on which a school is located while the school is open to pupils for instruction or being used for a school-approved event. Exceptions for express permission from the school board, law enforcement operations for search and rescue or arrest warrant execution, or flights reasonably believed necessary to stop imminent danger or destruction of evidence.
Wis. Stat. § 941.292Possession and Operation of Weaponized Drones
Prohibits possessing or operating a weaponized drone. A weaponized drone includes any drone equipped with a weapon or designed to carry one. Mere possession of a weaponized drone is sufficient for prosecution. The only exemption is for U.S. armed forces or National Guard members acting in their official capacity.
Wis. Stat. § 942.10Drone Surveillance Violating Privacy
Prohibits using a drone with the intent to photograph, record, or otherwise observe another person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. The statute requires proof of intent, distinguishing deliberate surveillance from incidental capture in transit or landscape photography. On-duty law enforcement using an authorized drone are exempt.
Wis. Stat. § 175.55Law Enforcement Warrant Requirement for Drone Use
Requires Wisconsin law enforcement agencies to obtain a search warrant before using a drone to gather evidence in any location where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Exceptions exist for search and rescue, locating escaped prisoners, executing arrest warrants, and situations involving imminent danger or destruction of evidence. Evidence gathered in violation of this statute is inadmissible in court.
Wis. Stat. § 29.083(2)(a)8Drone Interference with Hunting, Fishing, or Trapping
Prohibits using a drone to interfere with or attempt to interfere with lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping. Also prohibits using a drone to hunt or to assist hunters by scouting, locating, or driving game. Violations can result in civil damages including punitive damages under Chapter 29 penalty structure.
Wis. Admin. Code NR 45.04(1)(c)Drone Prohibition on State-Managed Lands
Prohibits operating drones (and other flying activities including hang gliding, parasailing, hot air ballooning, and model aircraft) on Wisconsin's state parks, state recreation areas, state natural areas, Kettle Moraine and Point Beach state forests, and the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, except where specifically posted for their use. The Richard Bong State Recreation Area Special Use Zone is an exception, requiring advance permission with at least one week's notice.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Town of Greenfield
townshipMunicipal Ordinance — Drone Operations Restrictions
Restricts drone operations within town limits including launch/landing, proximity to persons, public gatherings, and emergency vehicles.
Restrictions
No launch or landing outside visual line of sight; no landing within 100 feet of persons other than operator/assistant; no flying within 500 feet of public gatherings exceeding 100 people; no flights endangering safety; no flying within 500 feet of emergency vehicles with lights/sirens operating; no flights within 500 feet of jails or schools in session.
City of Hudson
cityMunicipal Ordinance — Unlawful Drone Use
Prohibits using drones to invade personal privacy by photographing, recording, or observing persons in places where they have reasonable expectation of privacy.
Restrictions
No use of drone to photograph, record, or observe someone in their residence or private spaces where there is reasonable expectation of privacy. Violations subject to fine up to $200.
City of Chetek
cityMunicipal Law — Altitude Limitations Near Chetek Municipal Airport
Establishes height limitations and zoning map restrictions for drone flights near Chetek Municipal-Southworth Airport.
Restrictions
Drones must comply with height limitation zoning map established around Chetek Municipal Airport (FAA LID: Y23).
Outagamie County
countyMunicipal Law — Airport Operations Restriction
Prohibits drone operations on airport grounds without authorization.
Restrictions
No drones allowed to take-off, land, or operate on Outagamie County airport grounds without written authorization from the airport director.
City of Green Bay
cityMunicipal Code § 24-122 — Special Event Flight Restrictions
Restricts drone flights at designated special events, including Packers games at Lambeau Field.
Restrictions
Cannot fly below 400 feet within designated boundaries of special events (including Lambeau Field during Packers games) during the scheduled time of the event. FAA TFR typically extends 3 nautical miles from stadium, surface to 3,000 feet AGL, one hour before to one hour after events.
Waukesha County Parks
countyCounty Parks Drone Permit Requirement
Requires drone operators to obtain a permit to fly in any Waukesha County park.
Restrictions
Free annual permit required to operate drones in Waukesha County parks. Application completed online; permit valid for one year from purchase date.
Milwaukee County Parks
countyCounty Parks Drone Approval Requirement
Requires prior approval for drone operations in Milwaukee County parks.
Restrictions
Drone use in Milwaukee County parks must be approved through the Milwaukee County Parks Special Events Office. Pilot must comply with all federal, state, and local licensing requirements and show documentation on request.
City of Madison
cityCity Ordinance MGO 25.18 — Drone Use in Parks
Permits drone use in city parks unless specifically posted otherwise.
Restrictions
Drones allowed in Madison city parks unless a specific park is posted with restrictions. Operators must comply with FAA licensing and rules. Madison uses a permissive-by-default approach with posted exceptions rather than blanket permit requirements.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone operation over correctional institution or grounds | Civil Forfeiture | Up to $5,000 | None | Department of Corrections, County Sheriff, Local Law Enforcement | Law enforcement may seize all drone footage and data as evidence |
| Drone operation below 300 feet over or within 500 feet of utility facility | Civil Forfeiture | Up to $5,000 | None | Local Law Enforcement | Exceptions for facility-directed operations and FAA-compliant commercial flights |
| Drone operation over school property during instruction or school events | Civil Forfeiture | Up to $5,000 | None | Local Law Enforcement, School Resource Officers | Narrow exceptions for law enforcement operations and school board authorization |
| Possession or operation of weaponized drone | Class H Felony | Up to $10,000 | Up to 6 years | Local Law Enforcement, State Police | Most serious drone offense in Wisconsin; conviction is permanent felony record. No hobbyist exception. |
| Drone surveillance violating reasonable expectation of privacy | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $10,000 | Up to 9 months | Local Law Enforcement | Requires proof of intent to photograph/record in place of privacy expectation. Incidental capture may not constitute violation. |
| Use of drone to interfere with hunting, fishing, or trapping | Per Chapter 29 penalties | Variable | Variable | DNR Wardens, Local Law Enforcement | Civil damages including punitive damages available. Includes using drone to hunt or scout game. |
| Drone operation on state-managed lands outside designated areas | DNR Forfeiture | Varies | None | DNR Wardens | Applies to state parks, recreation areas, natural areas, state forests, and state riverways |
| Drone flight below 400 feet during special event (Green Bay) | Municipal Forfeiture | Per municipal ordinance | None | Green Bay Police Department | Applies within designated event boundaries during scheduled event times |
| Drone operation violating Hudson privacy ordinance | Municipal Violation | Up to $200 | None | Hudson Police Department | Local enforcement of privacy violation stricter than state standard |
Drone operation over correctional institution or grounds
Law enforcement may seize all drone footage and data as evidence
Drone operation below 300 feet over or within 500 feet of utility facility
Exceptions for facility-directed operations and FAA-compliant commercial flights
Drone operation over school property during instruction or school events
Narrow exceptions for law enforcement operations and school board authorization
Possession or operation of weaponized drone
Most serious drone offense in Wisconsin; conviction is permanent felony record. No hobbyist exception.
Drone surveillance violating reasonable expectation of privacy
Requires proof of intent to photograph/record in place of privacy expectation. Incidental capture may not constitute violation.
Use of drone to interfere with hunting, fishing, or trapping
Civil damages including punitive damages available. Includes using drone to hunt or scout game.
Drone operation on state-managed lands outside designated areas
Applies to state parks, recreation areas, natural areas, state forests, and state riverways
Drone flight below 400 feet during special event (Green Bay)
Applies within designated event boundaries during scheduled event times
Drone operation violating Hudson privacy ordinance
Local enforcement of privacy violation stricter than state standard
Registration, Fees & Taxes
Wisconsin 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
- Waukesha County Parks Drone Permit — FreeAnnual permit for operating drones in Waukesha County parks; application completed online
Wisconsin does not require separate state-level drone registration beyond federal FAA registration. All drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). No state-specific commercial licensing or permits are required beyond FAA Part 107 certification. The state has no mandatory drone-specific insurance requirements, though commercial liability insurance is effectively required by the market for most operations.
No state-level commercial permit required beyond FAA Part 107. Some counties (Waukesha) and municipalities require free permits for park use.
No state-mandated drone insurance. Most commercial clients require $1 million general liability coverage.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Certification
Commercial drone operations in Wisconsin require FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
Wisconsin does not impose additional state-level commercial licensing requirements beyond FAA Part 107. Pilots must pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test (60 questions, $175 fee) and obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate valid for 24 months. Testing centers available in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, and Eau Claire.
FAA TRUST Test for Recreational Flight
Recreational drone operators must pass the free online TRUST test
All recreational flyers in Wisconsin must pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before flying. The test is free, online, and administered by multiple FAA-approved testing centers. Completion certificate must be carried during flight.
Remote ID Requirements
Remote ID mandatory since March 16, 2024
All registered drones in Wisconsin must broadcast Remote ID information via standard Remote ID, a broadcast module, or operation within a FRIA (Federally Recognized Identification Area). Failure to comply is a federal violation.
Altitude and Visual Line of Sight Restrictions
Federal 400-foot AGL altitude cap and VLOS requirement apply statewide
All Wisconsin drone operators (recreational and commercial) must maintain visual line of sight and stay under 400 feet AGL except in controlled airspace with LAANC authorization. Night flight requires anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles.
Controlled Airspace and LAANC Authorization
LAANC authorization required for flights in Class B, C, D, and surface E airspace
LAANC is mandatory for drone operations in controlled airspace around Milwaukee (MKE), Madison (MSN), and Green Bay (GRB). Smaller controlled fields including La Crosse, Appleton, and Wausau also require authorization or waivers.
Part 108 BVLOS Rule (Proposed)
FAA Part 108 NPRM published August 2025; not yet effective
Wisconsin pilots interested in beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations for agricultural scouting, powerline inspection, and pipeline monitoring must currently obtain individual FAA waivers. Part 108, when finalized, may enable routine BVLOS operations but is still under review.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Wis. Stat. § 114.045 (as amended by 2025 Wisconsin Act 194) — Limitation on the operation of drones — operation over certain utility facilities
Penalty: Forfeiture penalty under 2025 Wisconsin Act 194
FAA authorization carve-out: Yes
Covered categories
Statute prohibits operation under 300 ft AGL over or within 500 ft of covered facilities. Carve-outs include facility-owner direction, inspection or maintenance work, and FAA-compliant commercial operations.
Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC available at 726 airports nationwide including major Wisconsin airports: Milwaukee Mitchell International (MKE) with Class C airspace, Madison Dane County Regional (MSN) with Class C airspace, and Green Bay Austin Straubel (GRB) with Class D airspace. LAANC authorization typically available in near-real-time through FAA-approved apps.
Major Airports
MKE — Milwaukee Mitchell InternationalMSN — Madison Dane County RegionalGRB — Green Bay Austin StraubelLSE — La Crosse RegionalATW — Appleton InternationalCWA — Wausau/Central Wisconsin
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) activate automatically during major events including Packers games at Lambeau Field (typically 3 NM radius, surface to 3,000 feet AGL, one hour before to one hour after events). Military airspace restrictions at Fort McCoy and Volk Field in central Wisconsin.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Stoughton Police Use Drone for Indecent Conduct Investigation
enforcementStoughton police used trail cameras and then a drone in February 2026 to identify a 46-year-old man who had been repeatedly defecating in a public park. The suspect was cited for indecent conduct. Demonstrates law enforcement adoption of drone technology for investigations.
Milwaukee Police Department Expands Drone Program
enforcementMilwaukee Police Department expanded its drone program in January 2026 with remote deployment capabilities, making it one of only about 50 law enforcement agencies in the country with this technology. The department uses drones for suspect tracking, search operations, and emergency response.
Wisconsin Act 189 Enacted — School Drone Restrictions
regulatory change2025 Wisconsin Act 189 (AB530/SB519) was approved by the Governor on April 3, 2026, prohibiting drone operations over school property while schools are in session or during school-approved events. Effective immediately.
Wisconsin Act 194 Enacted — Utility Facility Drone Restrictions
regulatory change2025 Wisconsin Act 194 (AB768/SB766) was approved by the Governor on April 3, 2026, prohibiting drone operations below 300 feet over or within 500 feet of utility facilities including power plants, substations, water systems, and telecommunications facilities. Effective immediately.
Pending Legislation
AB629 / SB626Failed to Pass — Vetoed by Governor and veto override failedPolice Authority to Disable Drones Threatening Public Safety
Would have granted police authority to disable drones that threaten public safety by creating Wis. Stat. § 114.045(1m), § 114.045(2m)(bm), and § 114.045(3m). Vetoed by Governor on April 3, 2026; veto override failed in Senate on May 13, 2026.
Last action: May 13, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | UW-Madison requires all UAS operations on university property to be approved by the Office of Safety and Risk Management. Camp Randall Stadium has a TFR during football games. Restrictions: Safety and Risk Management approval required before any drone flights on campus. No flights over UW Hospital. Stadium TFR applies during Badgers athletic events at Camp Randall. | Yes | Office of Safety and Risk Management — safety.wisc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | UWL requires permission and completion of a UAS checklist. Third-party operators must carry liability insurance; drones must remain 100 feet from buildings. Restrictions: Operating a drone within UWL requires securing permission and filling out a checklist. Third-party or hobbyist operators must have liability insurance. Drones must remain at least 100 feet away from all buildings. | Yes | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | UW-Whitewater requires authorization from Risk Management for any UAS operations over university property. Both employee and third-party operators must comply with licensing requirements and provide proof of liability insurance. Restrictions: University employees or students operating UAS must contact Risk Management. Third-party pilots must secure approval from Risk Management. All operators must provide proof of liability insurance. Drones cannot be used to monitor or record areas with reasonable expectation of privacy (restrooms, locker rooms, residential spaces, etc.). | Yes | Risk Management Department — University of Wisconsin-Whitewater |
| Western Technical College | WTC permits drone operations for instructional, institutional, or contractor use only. Contractors require liability insurance. Drones cannot be used to monitor areas with reasonable expectation of privacy. Restrictions: Drone operations allowed for instructional use, institutional use, or contractor use only. Contractors performing College-related work must carry liability insurance. Drones shall not monitor or record areas where there is reasonable expectation of privacy (restrooms, locker rooms, residential rooms, changing rooms, daycare facilities, health treatment rooms, or sensitive institutional/personal information). | Yes | Western Technical College |
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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