Unlawful Use of a Drone, Penal Law Article 280 (2026)
- Enacted in the 2026 state budget (Chapter 55 of 2026, Part D) and in effect from August 25, 2026. Unlawful use of a drone is a class A misdemeanor.
- It covers flying a drone in a "nefarious manner", such as committing or helping a crime, recklessly risking injury or property damage, interfering with police, fire, or search-and-rescue operations, harassing someone, or delivering contraband to a jail.
- It also covers flying over "prohibited space" without approval: within 500 feet horizontally of an airport, military installation, correctional facility, police or fire station, emergency dispatch center, critical infrastructure, a school, or a gathering of 500 or more people, up to 400 feet above ground.
- Toy and recreational drones of 0.55 lb or less, flights for commercial, educational, agricultural, journalistic, or other lawful purposes that comply with all federal, state, and local rules, and government employees on duty are exempt, unless the drone is flown recklessly. Trained police may detect, track, or disable a drone that poses a credible threat.
Ref Assembly Bill 10005 / Senate Bill 9005, Part D (2026)
Assembly Bill 9456 / Senate Bill 8793 (2026)
- Amends New York's 2025 ban on state and local government purchases of technology from restricted foreign vendors.
- Drones and drone equipment from a restricted vendor may still be bought if the data they collect is stored only in the United States and is not accessible to the vendor, or if they run on software developed and maintained in the United States.
- Chapter 19 of 2026, signed February 13, 2026. The purchasing rules take effect with the 2025 law, in December 2027, and equipment already in service may be used for its full life.
Ref Assembly Bill 9456 / Senate Bill 8793 (2026)
New York Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation
Prohibits all drone operations in New York State parks and historical sites unless a prior written approval or Special UAS permit has been secured.
Ref Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation OPR-PCD-018
New York Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation implements different drone rules depending on land classification. DEC has jurisdiction over Wilderness Areas, State Forests, Forest Preserves, Wildlife Management Areas, Unique Areas, Multiple Use Areas, and Campgrounds. Drone pilots are encouraged to visit the New York DEC Drone Policy or page or contact the local DEC office to check for the relevant drone rules.
