Drone Regulations in Nebraska: 2024–2025 Guide

Nebraska drone operators must comply with federal FAA rules and state laws. State statutes restrict surveillance, hunting, and flights over critical infrastructure. LB 660 (2025) adds procurement rules for state agencies buying drones. Read the section that matches your use case.

Quick Answer: What Drone Rules Apply in Nebraska?

Drone operations in Nebraska are governed by federal, state, and sometimes local laws.

Federal baseline (applies to every operator in Nebraska): FAA Part 107 (14 CFR Part 107) governs all commercial UAS operations. Recreational flyers operate under 49 U.S.C. § 44809. The only pilot credential recognized is the FAA-issued Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; Nebraska does not issue a state-level drone pilot license.

Nebraska state law adds:

• Restrictions on using drones to surveil individuals or private property.
• A ban on using drones to assist hunting, fishing, or trapping.
• A prohibition on weaponizing drones.
• Protections for critical infrastructure like power plants, water treatment facilities, and correctional facilities.
• Warrant requirements for law enforcement drone surveillance.

These restrictions are found in the Nebraska Aeronautics Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 3-101 et seq.) and related state criminal and wildlife statutes.

Local layer: Cities including Omaha and Lincoln may have additional permit requirements or flight restrictions in parks and public spaces. Check municipal code before flying in any incorporated area.

Commercial vs. recreational distinction: Commercial operators must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and follow Part 107 rules. Recreational flyers must pass the FAA TRUST test (49 U.S.C. § 44809(a)(6)) and follow community-based safety guidelines. Nebraska's state-level restrictions apply to both commercial and recreational operators.

New in 2025: LB 660 (109th Nebraska Legislature) includes the Secure Drone Purchasing Act. This restricts Nebraska state agencies from buying drones manufactured by entities on federal security threat lists. This primarily affects government vendors and agencies, not private operators.

Nebraska State Drone Statutes: What the Law Actually Says

Nebraska Aeronautics Act Scope

The Nebraska Aeronautics Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 3-101 through § 3-153) establishes the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics and its authority over aviation. Operators should consult the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics for current administrative guidance under Title 247 of Nebraska Administrative Rules to confirm how state regulations apply to UAS operations.

Privacy and Surveillance Restrictions

Nebraska law prohibits using a drone to conduct surveillance of an individual or privately owned real property without consent. Consult the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics and review Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.16 and related sections for the current codification of unlawful drone use. Confirm current section numbers with the Nebraska Legislature's official statute database, as numbering can change.

Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Prohibition

Nebraska prohibits using a drone to assist in hunting, fishing, or trapping. Consult Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37-477 or surrounding sections in Chapter 37 for the current codification. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission enforces this restriction. Violations can result in loss of hunting and fishing privileges in addition to criminal penalties.

Weaponized Drones

Attaching a weapon to a drone is prohibited in Nebraska. Consult Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.16 or equivalent sections for the criminal penalty structure. Verify current penalty tiers with the Nebraska Legislature's statute database.

Critical Infrastructure

Nebraska law restricts drone operations over critical infrastructure, including electrical generation and transmission facilities, water treatment plants, and correctional facilities. Treat these facilities as no-fly zones unless you have explicit authorization. Consult the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics for current statutory citations covering critical infrastructure.

Nebraska Department of Aeronautics Authority

The Nebraska Department of Aeronautics administers state aviation law and is the primary state contact for UAS regulatory questions. The Department operates under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 3-101 et seq. and its Title 247 administrative rules. The Department does not issue a separate state drone registration or pilot license but is the correct agency for state-level airspace questions and regulatory interpretation.

What Changed Recently: LB 660 and the Secure Drone Purchasing Act (2025)

What LB 660 Is

LB 660 (109th Nebraska Legislature) is an omnibus bill that adopts the Secure Drone Purchasing Act, among other provisions. The drone-specific rules originate from the Secure Drone Purchasing Act language incorporated into the bill.

Legislative status: The source material, last updated March 17, 2026, indicates that provisions of LB 29 were amended into LB 660. Verify the bill's final enrolled and signed status at nebraskalegislature.gov or OpenStates (openstates.org/ne/bills/109/LB660/) to confirm its effective date and final text.

Secure Drone Purchasing Act: Core Prohibition

The Secure Drone Purchasing Act prohibits Nebraska state agencies from purchasing drones manufactured by entities that appear on federal security threat lists, such as those maintained under NDAA Section 889 and the FCC Covered List. If an agency is considering a drone purchase and the manufacturer appears on a relevant federal list, this Act would prohibit that purchase.

Which Entities Are Covered

The Act applies to Nebraska state agencies. Whether it also covers political subdivisions like counties, cities, or school districts requires verification against the final enrolled text of LB 660. Consult the Nebraska Legislature's official bill text once signed into law to confirm the definition of "agency" used in the Act.

Federal Funding Inventory Requirement

LB 660 also requires state agencies to submit a federal funding inventory. This provision has an indirect effect on drone programs, as agencies receiving federal funds for UAS will need to account for those funds in the inventory, potentially affecting procurement documentation and reporting.

Practical Impact for Vendors

Vendors selling drones to Nebraska government entities must determine if their manufacturers appear on the NDAA Section 889 or FCC Covered Lists before pursuing state contracts. State agencies will be prohibited from completing such purchases once LB 660's provisions take effect.

FAA Requirements Every Nebraska Drone Operator Must Meet

Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. To obtain it, an applicant must pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an FAA-approved testing center. The test fee is typically $175. The certificate must be renewed by passing a recurrent knowledge test every 24 months.

FAA Registration

Any drone weighing more than 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA at FAA DroneZone (faadronezone.faa.gov). The fee is $5 and the registration is valid for three years.

TRUST Test for Recreational Flyers

Recreational flyers must pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before flying. The test is free and available online through FAA-approved test administrators (49 U.S.C. § 44809(a)(6)). Operators must carry proof of completion when flying.

Standard Part 107 Operating Rules

Under 14 CFR Part 107, baseline operating rules include:

• Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL)
• Maintain visual line of sight with the drone at all times
• Daylight and civil twilight operations only (anti-collision lighting required for twilight)
• No flight over moving vehicles or people without a waiver or compliance with specific rules
• No flight from a moving vehicle
• Maximum airspeed of 100 mph

LAANC Authorization in Nebraska

Controlled airspace around Nebraska airports requires Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) authorization before flight. Key airports with LAANC coverage include Eppley Airfield (KOMA) in Omaha and Lincoln Airport (KLNK). Use an FAA-approved LAANC application for instant authorization in pre-approved airspace grids.

Offutt AFB Airspace

Offutt Air Force Base near Bellevue operates Class D airspace. LAANC does not replace the need for direct coordination with Offutt Base Operations for UAS flights in or near this airspace. Contact the base directly before any flight near its boundaries. Confirm current airspace boundaries on FAA sectional charts.

Nebraska-Specific No-Fly Zones

Drone operations in national parks and monuments are generally prohibited without a special use permit from the National Park Service. This includes sites in Nebraska such as:

• Scotts Bluff National Monument
• Chimney Rock National Historic Site

Permit Fees, Registration Timelines, and Airspace Authorization

Nebraska does not impose a state drone registration fee. Verify current policies with the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, as administrative rules can change.

For Nebraska state parks, contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for current drone permit requirements. For cities like Lincoln and Omaha, consult the respective municipal code and parks department for local ordinances.

Special Use Cases: Commercial Operations, Agriculture, and Law Enforcement

Agriculture Drones

Agricultural drone operations for crop mapping and scouting require a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Applying pesticides or herbicides by drone triggers additional federal requirements under the EPA's Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The operator must comply with all pesticide label requirements, which may restrict or prohibit aerial application by drone. Consult the USDA Farm Service Agency county office for documentation requirements if using drone data for subsidy or insurance claims.

Commercial Real Estate and Media

A Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required for all commercial drone work. Nebraska does not mandate drone liability insurance by state law, but most commercial clients require proof of insurance, typically with a minimum coverage of $1 million per occurrence.

Law Enforcement UAS

Nebraska law requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before using a drone for surveillance, with exceptions for emergencies. Consult Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.17 or surrounding sections for the current codification of warrant requirements and data retention rules. Law enforcement agencies must also comply with LB 660's Secure Drone Purchasing Act provisions when procuring new UAS equipment.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)

BVLOS operations require an FAA waiver under 14 CFR Part 107. These waivers are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and submitted via FAA DroneZone.

Drone Delivery

Commercial drone delivery operations require an FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate. This is a separate and more stringent certification than Part 107.

Next Steps: How to Comply and Who to Contact in Nebraska

Compliance Checklist

1. Register your drone at FAA DroneZone (faadronezone.faa.gov) if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs. The fee is $5.
2. Pass the appropriate test. Commercial operators need the Part 107 knowledge test. Recreational flyers need the TRUST test.
3. Check airspace before every flight using an FAA-approved application like B4UFLY or a LAANC provider. Obtain LAANC authorization for flights in controlled airspace.
4. Review Nebraska state statutes for surveillance restrictions, hunting/fishing prohibitions, and critical infrastructure rules (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 3-101 et seq. and related sections).
5. Check local municipal ordinances for the city or county where you plan to fly.
6. State agencies: Review LB 660 and the Secure Drone Purchasing Act before any drone procurement. Verify the bill's final status at nebraskalegislature.gov.
7. State parks/wildlife areas: Contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission before flying.

Key Contacts

Nebraska Department of Aeronautics 3431 Aviation Road, Lincoln, NE 68524 Consult the Department's official website (aero.nebraska.gov) for current contact information. This is the primary contact for state-level aviation regulations.

FAA Central Service Area This FAA region covers Nebraska. Use FAA DroneZone (faadronezone.faa.gov) for registration and waiver applications. Contact information for the regional office is on faa.gov.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Contact for drone operations in state parks, wildlife management areas, and for questions about the hunting/fishing drone prohibition. Contact information is at outdoornebraska.gov.

Offutt AFB Base Operations Contact directly for any UAS operation near Offutt Air Force Base. Do not rely solely on LAANC. Confirm the current contact number via the official Offutt AFB website.

LB 660 Legislative Status Check the current status of LB 660 at nebraskalegislature.gov or openstates.org/ne/bills/109/LB660/ before making compliance decisions based on its provisions.