Starting on the general effective date, flying a hobby drone to intentionally photograph or loiter 200 feet or less above school property can be a class 3 misdemeanor, but only if the operator knows or reasonably should know that 4 conditions apply, including posted notice and a request to leave.
Official title: schools; prohibition; unmanned aircraft
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowIt is unlawful to use a drone for hobby or recreational purposes to intentionally photograph or loiter 200 feet or less above a property if the operator knows or reasonably should know that all 4 of these apply: the property is not zoned residential; it is used to teach kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 12 while school is in session or school activities are happening, including outside normal school hours; the owner or a person with lawful control has posted reasonable notice prohibiting entry on or over the property; and a peace officer, the owner or a person with lawful control has told the operator about the prohibition and given a reasonable request to leave.
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NowBreaking this new rule is a class 3 misdemeanor. In this law, flying in violation of federal rules or interfering with police, firefighters or emergency services is a class 1 misdemeanor, and photographing or loitering near a critical facility to further a crime is a felony.
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NowThe new school rule does not apply to a person who has legal authority or administrative oversight over the property, or who gets consent from someone who does.
Before"Model aircraft" was defined by pointing to a 2012 federal aviation law.
Now"Model aircraft" is defined in state law as an unmanned aircraft that can sustain flight in the atmosphere, is flown within the operator's visual line of sight and is flown for hobby or recreational purposes.
Who it affects
- People who fly drones for hobby or recreation
- Schools serving kindergarten through grade 12 and people who own or control school property
- Peace officers
What you need to do
If you fly a drone for fun, do not photograph or loiter 200 feet or less above a non-residential school property during school or school activities when you know or reasonably should know that reasonable notice has been posted and you have been asked to leave, unless you have legal authority or administrative oversight over the property or consent from someone who does.
What the law doesn't answer
- The fine or jail time for a class 3 misdemeanor
- What counts as "reasonable notice" or a "reasonable request to leave"
- Whether the rule covers both public and private schools, beyond saying property used to teach kindergarten through grade 12
- How the new school rule interacts with the existing exemption for people authorized or allowed by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly drones
- How the new model aircraft definition changes which flights fall under the existing rules
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.