Drone Regulations in Utah: 2025 Rules & Requirements

Utah drone operators must follow federal FAA rules and Utah state laws. State laws cover surveillance, critical infrastructure, and railroad corridors. Utah does not issue a state drone license, but commercial operators need FAA Part 107 certification. Legislation passed in 2024 requires authorization to fly near rail lines.

Utah Drone Operations: Key Requirements

Federal requirements (apply to every operator in Utah):

• Drones weighing 0.55 lbs or more must be registered with the FAA under 14 CFR Part 48.
• Commercial operations require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107). Utah does not issue a separate state drone license.
• Recreational flyers must pass the FAA TRUST test.
• Operators must maintain visual line of sight and fly at or below 400 ft AGL in uncontrolled airspace.

Utah state-level requirements:

• The Unmanned Aircraft Act (Utah Code § 72-14-101 et seq.) governs state-level drone use. State law addresses surveillance, law enforcement use of drones, and operations over critical infrastructure. Consult the statute for specific restrictions.
• HB 142 (2024) restricts flying drones over or near railroad infrastructure without authorization.
• Municipalities may have local drone ordinances. Consult the Utah Division of Aeronautics and relevant local authorities for guidance.

Key no-fly situations:

• National parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands): NPS prohibits drone launch and landing without a special use permit.
• Controlled airspace near Salt Lake City International (KSLC), Provo (KPVU), Ogden (KOGD), and St. George (KSGU) airports requires LAANC authorization.
• Railroad corridors: HB 142 (2024) restricts unauthorized drone flight over rail infrastructure.
• Salt Lake City and other municipalities may have additional local park or event restrictions.

Utah State Drone Laws

Utah's primary drone statute is the Unmanned Aircraft Act, established by S.B. 111 (2017) and codified at Utah Code § 72-14-101 et seq.

Privacy and Surveillance

State law addresses the use of unmanned aircraft for surveillance. Utah's Unmanned Aircraft Act and Electronic Surveillance statute (Utah Code § 77-23a) contain provisions related to privacy and warrant requirements for law enforcement. Operators should consult these statutes and their legal counsel to ensure compliance, particularly when capturing images of individuals or private property.

Critical Infrastructure

Flying a drone over critical infrastructure such as power plants or water treatment facilities without authorization may be prohibited under state law, including criminal trespass statutes (Utah Code § 76-6-206). Operators must obtain written authorization from the facility operator before flying over or near these sites.

S.B. 111 (2017): Foundational Framework

S.B. 111 (2017) established the state's primary framework for unmanned aircraft, creating the Unmanned Aircraft Act. The bill defined key terms and addressed the relationship between state drone law and privacy statutes.

S.B. 24 (2023): Advanced Air Mobility

S.B. 24 (2023) updated Utah's framework to address advanced air mobility (AAM), including delivery drones and air taxis. The bill provides a statutory basis for AAM services. For specific regulations and agency authority related to AAM, consult the Utah Division of Aeronautics.

Local Drone Ordinances

Utah municipalities may enact local drone ordinances, particularly concerning parks and public events. Operators must verify local rules in addition to state and federal law. For guidance on the extent of municipal authority, consult the Utah Division of Aeronautics.

Recent Utah Drone Legislation (2023–2024)

HB 142 (2024): Railroad Drone Amendments

Enacted in 2024, HB 142 restricts unauthorized drone operations over or near railroad infrastructure. This law applies to rail lines operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and freight carriers like Union Pacific.

Operators must secure written authorization from the railroad operator before flying over or near their property. This state requirement is separate from any FAA airspace authorization. For specific details on buffer distances and penalties, consult the text of the bill and the relevant railroad operator.

Related Legislative History: HB 439 (2023)

HB 439, a bill concerning railroad drone restrictions, was filed in 2023 but did not pass. The successful passage of the similar HB 142 in 2024 indicates that this is an area of legislative focus in Utah.

S.B. 24 (2023): Advanced Air Mobility Framework

Signed into law in 2023, S.B. 24 updated Utah's statutes to address commercial air mobility services, including drone delivery and air taxis. While this bill establishes a state-level framework, operators in this sector must also meet all applicable FAA certification requirements.

Pending Legislation: SB 252 (2025)

SB 252 (Digital Information Seizure Amendments) was filed for the 2025 legislative session. The bill addresses electronic information seizure by law enforcement, which could affect how drone-captured data is handled. As of March 2025, this bill has not been enacted. Operators who collect sensitive data should monitor its progress and consult legal counsel regarding potential impacts if it becomes law.

FAA Requirements in Utah

Federal law provides the baseline for all drone operations. Utah state law is additive and does not override FAA regulations.

Registration

Any drone between 0.55 lbs and 55 lbs must be registered with the FAA under 14 CFR Part 48. The registration fee is $5 and is valid for three years. Register at FAA DroneZone (faadronezone.faa.gov).

Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Commercial operators must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107). Requirements include passing the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an approved testing center and TSA security vetting. The certificate must be renewed every 24 months via an online recurrent knowledge test. TSA vetting is required. Consult the FAA for current processing times.

Recreational Flyers

Recreational flyers must pass the FAA TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) and fly within the guidelines of an FAA-recognized community-based organization. Visual line of sight is required at all times.

Airspace Authorization: LAANC

Controlled airspace around Utah's major airports requires authorization before flight. Use the LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) system for near-instant authorization at:

• Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC) — Class B airspace
• Provo Municipal Airport (KPVU) — Class D airspace
• Ogden-Hinckley Airport (KOGD) — Class D airspace
• St. George Regional Airport (KSGU) — Class D airspace

Hill Air Force Base has restricted airspace (R-6402). LAANC does not cover restricted military airspace. Consult FAA sectional charts and current NOTAMs for Hill AFB boundaries. Do not fly near Hill AFB without confirming current restrictions through official FAA sources.

National Parks

NPS Management Policies prohibit launching, landing, or operating drones within national park boundaries without a special use permit. This applies to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands. Permit fees and processing times vary. Consult the NPS Intermountain Region permit office for current information.

Altitude, Night Ops, and Waivers

The standard ceiling is 400 ft AGL in uncontrolled airspace (14 CFR Part 107). Night operations, flights over people, and beyond visual line of sight operations require either a Part 107 waiver or compliance with Remote ID and other applicable FAA rules. Apply for waivers through FAA DroneZone.

Wildfire TFRs

Active wildfires trigger Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). Flying a drone into a wildfire TFR is a federal violation that can ground aerial firefighting operations. Check the FAA TFR map at tfr.faa.gov before every flight during fire season.

Utah Drone No-Fly Zones and Restricted Areas