Texas was one of the first states to pass comprehensive drone legislation, and the Texas Unmanned Aircraft Act (Government Code Chapter 423) remains one of the most detailed state drone frameworks in the country. Federal FAA rules still govern airspace, but Texas has layered significant restrictions on top -- particularly around surveillance, critical infrastructure, and operations over private property.
Here is what every drone pilot needs to know before flying in Texas.
Federal Rules Still Apply
Start with the baseline. As a Part 107 commercial pilot in Texas, you are operating under the same federal framework as everywhere else:
- 14 CFR Part 107 governs all commercial UAS operations
- LAANC authorization required in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E surface)
- No TFRs active at your flight location
- Remote ID broadcasting required unless inside a FRIA
- Maximum 400 ft AGL in uncontrolled airspace
Texas cannot override these rules. The state framework adds restrictions on top of the federal baseline, it does not replace it.
The Texas Unmanned Aircraft Act
Government Code Chapter 423 is the core of Texas drone law. The key provisions:
Surveillance prohibition. It is a Class C misdemeanor (up to $2,000 fine) to capture images of individuals or privately owned real property with the intent to conduct surveillance. The law does not require that you actually surveil anyone -- capturing the image with that intent is sufficient.
Critical infrastructure. Flying over or near critical infrastructure -- refineries, chemical plants, electrical facilities, water treatment plants, oil and gas facilities -- is prohibited without permission from the facility owner or operator. Texas has an enormous concentration of petrochemical infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. This provision affects aerial inspection work in ways that are not immediately obvious.
Law enforcement use. Texas law restricts how law enforcement agencies can use drones, but these restrictions apply to government actors, not commercial pilots.
Image capture exemptions. The surveillance prohibition has specific exemptions relevant to commercial pilots:
- Images captured in connection with an insurance company investigating a claim
- Professional or scholarly research
- Real estate marketing (images of the property itself, not occupants)
- Mapping and surveying
- Electrical and oil and gas infrastructure inspection by or for the owner
If your commercial work falls into one of these categories, the surveillance prohibition generally does not apply -- but the burden is on you to document the legitimate purpose.
Texas Critical Infrastructure: The Practical Impact
The critical infrastructure prohibition is broader than most pilots realize. The Texas critical infrastructure list includes:
- Petroleum refineries and chemical manufacturing plants
- Electrical power generation facilities and transmission lines
- Water intake structures and treatment facilities
- Natural gas pipelines and compressor stations
- Telecommunications facilities
The Gulf Coast from Beaumont to Corpus Christi has dense industrial infrastructure. If you are doing aerial inspection or photography work in this region, assume you need written permission from the facility operator before any flight in the vicinity of these sites.
No-Fly Zones Specific to Texas
Beyond the federal restricted airspace around airports, Texas has location-specific restrictions:
State parks. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prohibits drone flights in most state parks without a permit. This is not universally enforced at every location, but TPWD can and does cite pilots. If you are flying near a state park for commercial work, contact the park directly.
Military installations. Texas has a significant military presence -- Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, Dyess AFB, and others. These are federal restricted airspace zones and appear in FAA data, but the sheer size of some Texas military installations means their airspace footprints extend well beyond the physical base boundaries.
Stadiums. The federal stadium TFR rule (24-hour restriction, 3 NM radius, from one hour before to one hour after events with 30,000+ attendees) covers all major Texas venues including AT&T Stadium, NRG Stadium, and Minute Maid Park. Texas stadiums host NFL, MLB, and NCAA events that regularly trigger these TFRs.
Commercial Operations in Texas: Practical Checklist
Before every commercial flight in Texas:
- Run your airspace check. LAANC authorization for controlled airspace. Active TFRs, especially near stadiums and the Texas Motor Speedway.
- Check for critical infrastructure. Look at your flight area on satellite imagery. If you see refineries, power plants, or pipeline infrastructure, get written permission from the operator.
- Identify state land. State parks require permits. Wildlife management areas have separate rules.
- Document your purpose. If your work involves image capture near residential areas, document the exemption that applies to your work (insurance, real estate, infrastructure inspection).
- Privacy default. Even in areas where flight is legal, avoid capturing identifiable images of individuals without consent as a default practice. Texas juries take privacy seriously.
Texas Cities: Local Ordinances
Texas municipalities have passed a patchwork of additional restrictions. Some cities prohibit drone flight in city parks. Others have permit requirements for commercial operations. A few have attempted broader restrictions that conflict with FAA preemption -- those are generally unenforceable, but you may still encounter enforcement attempts.
Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio all have varying local rules. Before commercial work in any Texas city, check with the city's parks department and any applicable business licensing requirements.
The Bottom Line for Texas Commercial Pilots
Texas is a strong market for drone services -- construction monitoring, infrastructure inspection, real estate, agriculture. The state's size and industrial base create significant demand. But the Texas Unmanned Aircraft Act creates real legal exposure that pilots from other states do not face at home.
The surveillance prohibition and critical infrastructure restrictions are the two provisions most likely to affect commercial work. Know them cold, document your legitimate purpose for every flight, and get written authorization before any flight near industrial infrastructure.
Run your preflight check at uas-skycheck.app to confirm airspace, TFRs, and restricted zones before every flight.