Chattanooga, Tennessee Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Tennessee drone law is governed primarily by T.C.A. § 39-13-903 (criminal surveillance by drone) and T.C.A. § 39-14-405 (trespass by drone over private property). These statutes create criminal liability for capturing images of individuals in private spaces without consent and for trespassing over private property with a drone. Tennessee does not have a blanket state preemption of local drone ordinances, so Chattanooga's city regulations and Hamilton County rules apply in addition to state law. Chattanooga is adjacent to two NPS units — Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Point Park at Lookout Mountain — where drones are strictly prohibited under federal NPS regulations.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• T.C.A. § 39-13-903: Criminal surveillance by drone — prohibited to capture images of individuals in private spaces without consent
• T.C.A. § 39-14-405: Trespass by drone over private property without owner consent is a criminal offense
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial UAS operations
• FAA drone registration required for all UAS over 0.55 lbs
• KCHA (Lovell Field) Class C airspace requires LAANC authorization for flights within approximately 5 nm
• Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park (NPS): Drones strictly prohibited — federal offense
• Lookout Mountain Battlefield/Point Park (NPS): All drone use prohibited on NPS-managed lands
• Hamilton County parks and City of Chattanooga parks restrict drone use without written authorization
• Tennessee River Gorge Trust lands and Prentice Cooper State Forest: Check TWRA regulations before flying

Permits & Registration

Commercial operations require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational operators must register drones over 0.55 lbs. LAANC authorization required for KCHA Class C airspace — use FAA DroneZone or Aloft app. Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP requires NPS Special Use Permit for any commercial drone filming; recreational drones prohibited entirely. Chattanooga city parks require written permit from Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors department. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) permits required for wildlife area operations.

Official Statute Links

• https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-39/chapter-13/part-9/section-39-13-903/
• https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-39/chapter-14/part-4/section-39-14-405/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/drones.htm

Local Ordinances

Chattanooga city parks and recreation areas prohibit drone operations without prior written approval. The Tennessee Aquarium plaza and adjacent riverfront are managed city-owned or partnership spaces with restrictions on aerial photography without commercial filming permits. The river gorge and Lookout Mountain areas involve a mix of NPS, state, and private land with varying regulations. KCHA Lovell Field's Class C airspace covers much of the urban area. Valley fog is common and can create sudden visibility issues.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Chattanooga city parks: All drone operations require advance written permit from Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors
• Coolidge Park and North Shore greenway: Drone operations restricted near crowded recreational areas
• Tennessee Aquarium plaza and Ross's Landing: Commercial filming requires Chattanooga film office permit
• Lookout Mountain Battlefield (NPS): All drones strictly prohibited on any NPS-managed land
• Chickamauga Battlefield (NPS): Drones prohibited; covers a large area south of Chattanooga in Georgia
• Tennessee River waterfront: Operations near I-24 and Walnut Street Bridge corridors restricted
• Signal Mountain and Hamilton County parks: Written approval required from Hamilton County Parks
• Prentice Cooper State Forest: Drone use requires TWRA authorization; check for seasonal wildlife closures
• KCHA Lovell Field Class C: LAANC authorization required before any flight within approximately 5 nm

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors, (423) 643-6360, chattanooga.gov/parks-outdoors

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

• Rural agricultural land in Bradley County southeast of Chattanooga — outside Class C airspace, verify LAANC
• Hamilton County rural areas east of Collegedale beyond primary airspace corridors with landowner permission
• Hixson and Middle Valley area open fields north of Chattanooga — verify LAANC and avoid KCHA approach paths
• Private rural property in Sequatchie Valley to the northwest — scenic terrain, check airspace carefully
• Ooltewah area rural land in eastern Hamilton County — often outside Class C, verify LAANC before flying
• Designated open areas at Chester Frost Park after obtaining Hamilton County Parks written authorization

Areas to Avoid

• Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park — drones strictly prohibited throughout entire NPS unit
• Lookout Mountain Battlefield / Point Park (NPS) — all drone use prohibited on NPS-managed land
• KCHA Lovell Field Class C airspace — covers much of the urban Chattanooga area; LAANC required
• Tennessee Aquarium and downtown waterfront — city permit required; crowded public space restrictions apply
• Prentice Cooper State Forest — TWRA authorization required; wildlife sensitive areas
• Tennessee River Gorge — mix of private, state, and trust land; contact Tennessee River Gorge Trust
• Signal Point area on Signal Mountain — NPS-adjacent land with potential overlap restrictions
• All Chattanooga and Hamilton County city parks — written permit required from respective parks departments

Weather Considerations

Chattanooga sits in a river valley surrounded by ridges, creating unique weather patterns. Valley fog forms frequently in fall and winter mornings, often reducing visibility to near zero until mid-morning. Summer brings high humidity and afternoon convective storms that can develop rapidly. Severe weather events including tornadoes are possible in spring. The valley topography can create unpredictable wind shear along ridge lines. Check NWS Morristown (weather.gov/mrx) for local mountain and valley forecasts.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: April–May and September–October — mild temperatures, reduced storm frequency, spectacular ridge-and-valley scenery for aerial photography. AVOID: July–August afternoons (heat index over 105°F, daily storm threat); November–February mornings (persistent valley fog can trap you in low visibility until afternoon). Fall foliage (late October–early November) is stunning but brings tourist crowds and potential TFRs near popular overlooks. Spring severe weather season (March–April) requires constant weather monitoring.

Compliance Checklist

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