Drone Laws
in Wisconsin (2023)

Welcome to this wiki. The goal of this wiki is to crowd-source drone information. Having said that, information may be inaccurate, out-of-date, and should not be relied upon for legal advice.

Federal Drone Laws

The Federal Aviation Administration controls where you can fly your drone
and under what conditions throughout the United States. You should become familar with the FAA's rules before flying.

Check FAA Drone Laws

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Wisconsin State Drone Laws
These laws apply in the entire state.

Wisconsin State Parks Admin Code Ch. NR 45.041

  • Prohibits drone use in all state parks, state recreation areas, state natural areas, the Kettle Moraine and Point Beach state forests, and the Lower Wisconsin state riverway except where posted for their use.
  • Allows for drone use in a designated zone in the Richard Bong State Recreation Area. Approval is still needed for drone flight in the Special Use Zone.

Ref State Parks Admin Code Ch. NR 45.041

List of Wisconsin State Parks and State Recreation Areas

List of Wisconsin State Natural Areas by County

 

Wisconsin State Legislature 29.083

Prohibits the use of a drone to interfere or attempt to interfere with lawful hunting, fishing or trapping with the intent to prevent the taking of a wild animal, or other associated activities. Prohibited acts include the following:

  • Harassing a wild animal.
  • Impeding or obstructing a person engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or trapping, or any associated activities
  • Disturbing the personal property of a person engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or trapping.
  • Disturbing a lawfully placed hunting blind or stand.
  • Disturbing lawfully placed bait or other material used to feed or attract a wild animal.
  • Photographing or videotaping of a person engaged in such acts, or approaching, confronting, or maintaining proximity with the person with the intention to impede or obstruct the person from performing such activities.

Ref Wisconsin State Legislature 29.083 Interference with hunting, fishing, or trapping

 

Wisconsin Hunting Regulations

  • It is illegal to hunt any animal with the aid of any aircraft, including unmanned aerial drones.
  • It is illegal to use any unmanned aircraft or drone for the purposes of concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up any migratory game bird to put them in the range of hunters.

Ref Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Hunting Regulations

 

Assembly Bill 670 (2015)

Prohibits flying drones over correctional facilities.

Ref Assembly Bill 670 (2015)

 

Wisconsin State Legislature Chapter 942.10

Whoever uses a drone with the intent to photography, record, or otherwise observe another individual in a place where the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. This section does not apply to law enforcement authorized to use a drone.

Ref Crimes Against Reputation, Privacy, and Civil Liberties

City and County
Drone Laws
These laws apply in some areas.

Local drone laws in Wisconsin refer to policies and regulations that are enacted and enforced at the county, city, or town levels.

 

Waukesha County

A permit is required to fly a drone in any Waukesha County Park. The permit is valid for one year from the purchase date. The no-charge application process can be done online.

Ref Forms and Permit Requests

 

Kenosha County

Prohibits the possession or operation of any remote-controlled or self-propelled aircraft or other airborne devices in any County park.

Ref Municipal Code Sec. 10.70

 

City of Hudson

Prohibits the use of drones to invade personal space, including observing, photographing, or recording people in places where there should be reasonable expectation of privacy.

Ref City Ordinance 2015-019

 

City of Chetek

Creates a Height Limitation Zoning Map around the Chetek Municipal Airport. Drones are expected to comply with this zoning map with regards to their maximum altitude.

Ref Code of Ordinances Sec. 118-89

 

City of Green Bay

Prohibits drone flight below 400 feet altitude within the designated boundaries of a special event during the scheduled time of the event.

Ref Code of Ordinances Sec 24-122

 

Town of Greenfield

Places several restrictions on drone operations such as landing within 100 feet of a person, flying within 500 feet of public gatherings of more than 100 people, and flying in a manner that endangers the safety of people or property.

Ref Code of Ordinances Chapter 10.35

 

University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

Operating a drone within the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse requires securing permission and filling out a checklist. Third-party or hobbyist operators must have liability insurance. Drones must remain at least 100 feet away from the building.

Ref UWL Unmanned Aircraft Systems Checklist

 

University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

  • Any university employee or student planning to operate a UAS over university lands or property as part of their duties or research needs to contact the university’s risk management department. Such operations are not considered under the hobby category and must be done with the corresponding license or exemption requirement.
  • Third-party drone pilots must secure approval from the university’s risk management department before they can operate drones over university lands or property.
  • All drone operators must provide proof of insurance with liability coverage.
  • Drones must not be used to monitor or record in areas where there is reasonable expectation of privacy.

Ref UW-Whitewater Policy for the Use of UAS on University Property

 

Western Technical College

Drone operations in Western Technical College will only be allowed for instructional use, institutional use, or contractor use. For contractors doing College-related work, liability insurance will be required.

Drones shall not be used to monitor or record areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. These include restrooms, locker rooms, residential rooms, changing rooms, daycare facilities, and health treatment rooms. They shall also not be used to monitor or record sensitive institutional or personal information.

Ref Procedure for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems or Vehicles

Where to fly
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