Drone Regulations in Mississippi: 2024 Guide

Mississippi has no comprehensive statewide drone law. Federal FAA rules govern most drone operations. The only enacted state statute, SB 2853 (2023), restricts government drone procurement and does not apply to private pilots.

Quick Answer: What Drone Rules Apply in Mississippi?

For most pilots, federal FAA rules are the primary regulations governing drone flight. Mississippi has not passed a broad drone privacy statute, a statewide no-fly-zone law, or a separate state pilot licensing requirement.

Commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107). No Mississippi-specific commercial drone permit exists on top of that. Operators spraying pesticides should consult the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) regarding pesticide applicator license requirements.

Recreational flyers must pass the FAA TRUST test, register any drone weighing 0.55 lbs or more with the FAA, and follow community-based safety guidelines (49 U.S.C. § 44809).

Government agencies operating in Mississippi face an additional constraint: SB 2853 (2023) prohibits state agencies from purchasing or contracting for the servicing of small unmanned aircraft systems manufactured by non-U.S. companies. Private operators are not covered by this law.

Agricultural spraying operates without a drone-specific state statute. A 2024 bill, SB 2661, would have formally authorized agricultural UAS use, but it died in committee. Operators must follow FAA Part 107 and should confirm any state pesticide licensing requirements with MDAC.

Local ordinances may add requirements. Mississippi has not passed statewide preemption of local drone rules, so cities and counties can regulate drone use. Check with local planning departments before commercial operations.

At-a-Glance: Operator Requirements in Mississippi

Federal FAA Requirements That Apply to All Mississippi Drone Pilots

Mississippi does not layer a second regulatory system on top of the FAA. Federal rules are the primary legal framework for drone operations.

Registration

Any drone weighing 0.55 lbs (250 grams) or more must be registered with the FAA before flight. The fee is $5, valid for three years, and processed through the FAA DroneZone portal (14 CFR Part 48). Recreational flyers register under one certificate covering all their drones. Commercial operators register each aircraft individually.

Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Any flight conducted for business purposes, compensation, or in furtherance of a business requires a Part 107 certificate (14 CFR Part 107). This requires passing a 60-question aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center. The knowledge test fee is set by the testing provider, not the FAA, and is typically around $175. Confirm the current fee with the testing center before scheduling. TSA security vetting is part of the application process.

Operational Limits Under Part 107

The standard operating rules under 14 CFR Part 107 include:

• Maximum altitude: 400 feet above ground level (AGL), or within 400 feet of a structure
• Visual line of sight (VLOS) required at all times
• Daylight or civil twilight operations only; anti-collision lighting required for twilight flights
• No flight over moving vehicles or people without a waiver
• No flight from a moving vehicle

Waivers are available for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), night operations, and other restricted activities through the FAA DroneZone portal.

Remote ID

As of September 16, 2023, most drones must broadcast Remote ID, which transmits identification and location data per federal rule. Drones manufactured after the rule's compliance date must have built-in Remote ID. Older drones can use a Remote ID broadcast module. Mississippi has no separate state-level Remote ID requirement.

Airspace Authorization

Controlled airspace around Mississippi airports requires authorization before flight. The LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) system provides automated, near-instant approvals for many locations. Key Mississippi airports with controlled airspace include Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (KJAN), Gulfport-Biloxi International (KGPT), and Tupelo Regional (KTUP). For airspace not covered by LAANC, operators must request a manual Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA), which can take up to 90 days. Check the FAA UAS Facility Maps before planning any flight near an airport.

Mississippi State Law: What the Statutes Actually Say

SB 2853 (2023): The One Enacted Drone Statute

SB 2853 is Mississippi's only enacted drone-specific law. The bill was approved by the governor in April 2023 and prohibits Mississippi state agencies from purchasing small unmanned aircraft systems manufactured by non-U.S. companies, and from contracting for the servicing of such systems. The law targets procurement decisions, not flight operations. A private pilot flying a non-U.S.-made drone for commercial work is not violating SB 2853. A state agency buying one is.

For the exact definition of "state agencies" covered and any penalty provisions, consult the enrolled bill text or the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

No Broad Privacy or No-Fly-Zone Statute

Mississippi Code does not currently contain a comprehensive drone privacy statute or a general no-fly-zone law applicable to private operators. Failed bills, including HB 839 (2023) and HB 259 (2022), would have created broader frameworks, but neither passed.

Trespass and Surveillance: Existing Law That Can Apply

Without a drone-specific statute, existing state laws on trespass and surveillance may apply to drone operations.

Trespass: General trespass laws may apply to low-altitude drone flights over private property, depending on the altitude and circumstances. Mississippi courts have not definitively ruled on what altitude constitutes the boundary of a landowner's protected airspace. Until the legislature or courts clarify this, operators flying low over private land without permission carry legal risk.

Voyeurism and surveillance: State laws addressing voyeurism could apply to a drone-mounted camera used to record people in situations where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Consult an attorney if your operations involve filming near private residences or individuals.

Law Enforcement Drone Use

Mississippi has not enacted a statute specifically restricting warrantless drone surveillance by law enforcement. The Fourth Amendment provides the primary constraint on government drone surveillance, but Mississippi has not codified additional state-level warrant requirements for drone use by police or other agencies.

Failed Bills and Why They Matter

HB 839 (2023) would have created the "Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Rights and Authorities Act," establishing a property rights framework for airspace above private land. It died on the calendar. Its failure means Mississippi landowners have no statutory drone-specific trespass remedy and must rely on general property law.

HB 259 (2022) proposed a "Drone Prohibition Act" that would have restricted drone flights in certain contexts. It died in committee.

HB 1032 (2023), the "Mississippi Security Drone Act of 2023," proposed a broader procurement ban than what SB 2853 ultimately enacted. It died on the calendar. The narrower SB 2853 passed instead, suggesting the legislature was more comfortable with a targeted procurement restriction than a sweeping security framework.

Local Preemption

Mississippi has not passed explicit statewide preemption of local drone ordinances. Municipalities retain authority to regulate drone operations within their jurisdictions. Before commercial operations in Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, or any other municipality, check with the city or county planning department.

Agricultural Drone Use in Mississippi: Current Rules and Pending Changes

Drone use for crop scouting is generally permitted under FAA Part 107 with no additional state authorization required.

Drone Pesticide Application: The Dual-License Requirement

Spraying pesticides from a drone involves additional regulatory considerations:

1. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107) for the flight operation itself.
2. State pesticide applicator license. Operators should contact the MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry to confirm licensing requirements for aerial pesticide application via drone.

The applicability of FAA Part 137 (agricultural aircraft operations) to drones is subject to federal interpretation. The FAA has generally treated drone pesticide application under Part 107 rather than Part 137, but operators should confirm current FAA guidance.

EPA and state pesticide label compliance is mandatory regardless of application method. Many pesticide labels now include drone-specific application language. Flying a drone does not exempt an operator from label requirements, which carry the force of federal law under FIFRA.

SB 2661 (2024): The Bill That Would Have Changed Things

SB 2661 (2024) would have formally authorized agricultural UAS use in Mississippi, providing a clear statutory basis for drone spraying operations. It died in committee (OpenStates, updated March 6, 2024).

The bill's failure means operators work under federal rules and general state pesticide laws, without a drone-specific statute to provide clarity on issues like liability.

What Ag Operators Should Do Now

Given the absence of a specific ag drone statute, commercial agricultural drone operators in Mississippi should:

• Hold a current FAA Part 107 certificate.
• Contact the MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry to confirm and obtain the required aerial pesticide applicator license before any spray operations.
• Follow all pesticide label directions, including any drone-specific language.
• Document flights, application rates, and weather conditions as required for any licensed pesticide application.
• Monitor the Mississippi Legislature for reintroduction of agricultural UAS authorization legislation.

Contact the MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry for current licensing requirements and to confirm whether UAS is treated as a distinct applicator category.

What Changed Recently: 2023–2024 Mississippi Drone Legislation

Enacted: SB 2853 (2023)

This is the only drone bill that became law in the 2023 or 2024 sessions. It restricts Mississippi state agencies to purchasing and servicing UAS from U.S. manufacturers. The bill was approved by the governor in April 2023. Government contractors bidding on drone-related work for Mississippi agencies must account for this requirement.

Died: SB 2661 (2024)

The agricultural drone authorization bill died in committee in March 2024. It would have given drone spraying operations an explicit statutory home in Mississippi law. Legislative interest in agricultural drone use suggests the topic may return.

Died: HB 839 (2023)

The "Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Rights and Authorities Act" would have established a property rights framework for airspace above private land, addressing the trespass ambiguity that currently exists. It died on the calendar.

Died: HB 1032 (2023)

The "Mississippi Security Drone Act of 2023" proposed a broader procurement ban. It died on the calendar, and the narrower SB 2853 passed instead.

National Context: NDAA Procurement Restrictions

SB 2853 mirrors