Arlington, Texas Drone Laws

Overview

Arlington is located in Texas. Drone operations are governed by federal FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107) and may be subject to state and local ordinances.

State Regulations & Statutes

Texas state law governs drone operations under the Texas Government Code Chapter 423, which restricts image capture over private property and prohibits drone use near correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, and sports venues during events. Arlington sits entirely within the DFW Class B airspace surface area, making LAANC authorization mandatory for virtually all flights. No Texas state drone license is required beyond FAA certification.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• Texas Government Code § 423.003: Unlawful to capture images of individuals with expectation of privacy using a drone — Class C misdemeanor
• Texas Government Code § 423.004: Unlawful distribution of images captured by drone — Class C misdemeanor
• Texas Government Code § 423.0045: Prohibited locations include correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, and sports/entertainment venues during events (AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Esports Stadium all apply)
• Texas Penal Code § 42.072: Drone surveillance to stalk or harass individuals is criminal
• Texas Penal Code § 30.05: Flying a drone over private property without consent may constitute criminal trespass
• 14 CFR Part 107: Maximum 400 ft AGL, Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) required, FAA registration mandatory
• DFW Class B airspace covers all of Arlington — LAANC authorization required before every flight
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Code § 62.003: Drones may not be used to disturb, flush, or herd wildlife

Permits & Registration

Commercial: Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107). Recreational: FAA registration + TRUST test. No TX state drone license required.

Official Statute Links

• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.423.htm
• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.42.htm
• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.30.htm
• https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.62.htm
• https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107

Local Ordinances

Arlington has no standalone drone ordinance but enforces drone restrictions through its parks code and event venue policies. AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys), Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers), and Esports Stadium Arlington regularly host events that trigger TFRs and are independently prohibited by Texas Government Code § 423.0045. The City of Arlington Parks & Recreation Department prohibits drone operations in all city parks and recreation facilities without a written permit.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• All City of Arlington parks and recreation facilities: drone flight prohibited without written permit from Parks & Recreation Department
• AT&T Stadium and immediate surroundings: TFRs issued for all Cowboys games and major events — check FAA TFR system (tfr.faa.gov) before any flight
• Globe Life Field: TFRs issued during Rangers games and events
• Esports Stadium Arlington and other event venues: prohibited during events per Texas Government Code § 423.0045
• Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor: private property — no drone flights permitted
• River Legacy Parks: prohibited without Parks Department permit
• Downtown Arlington entertainment district: high-density airspace — avoid during events
• DFW Class B airspace requires LAANC authorization for all flights citywide
• Private residential property: Texas trespass laws strictly enforced (Penal Code § 30.05)

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Arlington Parks & Recreation Department, (817) 459-6400, www.arlington-tx.gov/parks

Nearby Airports & Airspace

Airspace restrictions apply near airports. Always check B4UFLY and LAANC before flying.

Local Flying Guide

Always verify conditions with local authorities and property owners before flight.

Potential Safe Flying Locations

• Private rural property east of Arlington with landowner permission (outside Class B surface area — LAANC still required)
• Designated LAANC-authorized grid cells — check FAA DroneZone or a LAANC provider app (Aloft, Kittyhawk) for current authorizations
• Open fields in eastern Arlington suburbs with LAANC approval and landowner consent
• Commercial filming with COA/waiver on private land away from event venues

Areas to Avoid

• DFW Class B airspace (covers all of Arlington) — LAANC or FAA waiver required for every flight
• AT&T Stadium (1 AT&T Way) — TFRs in effect during all Cowboys games, concerts, and major events
• Globe Life Field (734 Stadium Dr) — TFRs during Rangers games and events
• Esports Stadium Arlington — prohibited during events
• Arlington Municipal Airport (KGKY) vicinity — within Class B
• Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor — private property, no access
• River Legacy Parks — permit required
• Interstate 30 / US-287 corridors — dense traffic and infrastructure

Weather Considerations

Arlington sits in the heart of Tornado Alley. Spring (March–May) brings severe thunderstorm and tornado risk. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F with afternoon convective activity. Monitor NWS Fort Worth (weather.gov/fwd) for convective outlooks, SIGMETs, and tornado watches. Crosswinds are common due to flat terrain.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October–November (stable air, mild temps 60–75°F, low storm risk). Good: February–March (before tornado season). AVOID: April–May (peak tornado/hail season), June–August (extreme heat, afternoon storms, high winds). Always check tfr.faa.gov for stadium TFRs before any DFW-area flight.

Compliance Checklist

• ✓ Federal FAA Part 107 or recreational exemption
• ✓ Texas state regulations
• ✓ Arlington local ordinances
• ✓ B4UFLY airspace check
• ✓ LAANC authorization if in controlled airspace
• ✓ Property owner permission
• ✓ Weather safety