Garland, Texas Drone Laws

Overview

Garland 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 Government Code Chapter 423 restricts drone image capture over private property and prohibits drone operations near correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, and sports/entertainment venues during events. Garland is fully embedded within the DFW Class B airspace complex, meaning LAANC authorization is required for virtually every flight. No Texas state drone license required beyond FAA certification.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• Texas Government Code § 423.003: Unlawful to capture images of individuals with expectation of privacy — 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 venues during events
• Texas Penal Code § 42.072: Drone surveillance used to stalk or harass 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 Garland — LAANC authorization required before every flight
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Code § 62.003: Drones may not disturb or harass 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

Garland enforces drone restrictions primarily through its Park regulations and general nuisance ordinances. The City of Garland Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department prohibits drone operations in all city parks, trails, and recreation facilities without prior written authorization. Lake Ray Hubbard — shared between Garland, Dallas, and Rockwall County — presents additional jurisdictional complexity and requires coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers for areas involving federal water management infrastructure.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• All City of Garland parks, trails, and recreation facilities: drone flight prohibited without written permit from Parks & Recreation
• Lake Ray Hubbard shoreline parks (Audubon Park, Winters Park, etc.): permit required from Garland Parks & Recreation
• Lake Ray Hubbard dam and spillway areas: Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction — federal restrictions apply
• Garland wastewater treatment facilities and utility infrastructure: critical infrastructure — prohibited
• Downtown Garland Main Street area: high-density area, avoid overflights of crowds
• DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) facilities and rail corridors: restricted
• All residential areas: Texas trespass laws enforced for overflights of private property (Penal Code § 30.05)
• DFW Class B airspace requires LAANC authorization for all flights citywide

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Garland Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department, (972) 205-2750, www.garlandtx.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 Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall County with landowner permission (check LAANC grid cells — may exit Class B at lower altitudes in eastern areas)
• Designated LAANC-authorized grid cells within Garland — check Aloft or Kittyhawk apps before every flight
• Open areas along Lake Ray Hubbard's eastern shore in Rockwall County (outside Garland city limits) with appropriate LAANC approval
• Commercial operations on private property with Part 107 certification and LAANC or FAA waiver

Areas to Avoid

• DFW Class B airspace (covers all of Garland) — LAANC or FAA waiver required for every flight
• Dallas Love Field (KDAL) Class D and approaches over northwest Garland
• Lake Ray Hubbard dam and spillway — Army Corps jurisdiction
• All city parks and trail corridors — permit required
• DART rail corridors and facilities
• Interstate 30 / US-75 / George Bush Turnpike corridors — dense infrastructure
• Downtown Garland during public events

Weather Considerations

Garland shares the north Texas severe weather profile with Dallas. Spring tornado season (March–May) is the primary risk period. Summer heat routinely exceeds 100°F with afternoon convective storms. Lake Ray Hubbard creates local wind effects and afternoon thunderstorm development. Monitor NWS Fort Worth (weather.gov/fwd) for convective outlooks and tornado watches. Surface winds from the south in summer can be strong and gusty.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October–November (stable air, 60–80°F, low storm risk). Good: February–March (before tornado season). AVOID: April–May (peak tornado/hail season), June–September (extreme heat, afternoon storms). Early morning flights recommended in summer. Check LAANC before every flight — Class B floor altitudes vary by grid cell across Garland.

Compliance Checklist

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