Saint Louis, Missouri Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Missouri has specific drone statutes addressing commercial operations and privacy. R.S.Mo. § 305.826 regulates unmanned aircraft commercial operations. R.S.Mo. § 565.090 makes drone surveillance with intent to harass a criminal offense. R.S.Mo. § 569.140 covers trespass, including drone flight over private property without consent. Missouri DNR and MDC prohibit drones in state parks and conservation areas without a permit. Saint Louis is dominated by KSTL Class B airspace, which covers much of the city and surrounding region.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• R.S.Mo. § 305.826: State regulations on commercial unmanned aircraft operations
• R.S.Mo. § 565.090: Drone surveillance with intent to harass is a criminal offense
• R.S.Mo. § 569.140: Trespass — drone flight over private property without consent
• Missouri DNR and MDC prohibit drones in state parks and conservation areas without a permit
• KSTL (Lambert–St. Louis International) Class B airspace covers most of the region
• KSUS (Spirit of St. Louis) Class D airspace to the west
• KCPS (St. Louis Downtown) Class D airspace to the south
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for commercial operations

Permits & Registration

Commercial operations: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required. Recreational: FAA drone registration required for UAS over 0.55 lbs. LAANC authorization required throughout most of the metro area due to KSTL Class B. Missouri state park flights require MDC/DNR special use permit. Gateway Arch National Park falls under NPS jurisdiction — contact NPS for permit.

Official Statute Links

• https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=305.826
• https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.090
• https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=569.140
• https://mostateparks.com/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/

Local Ordinances

Saint Louis has restrictions on drone operations in city parks under Parks Department regulations. The Gateway Arch National Park (NPS) prohibits drone operations without a Special Use Permit. Busch Stadium (Cardinals MLB) and Enterprise Center (Blues NHL) have FAA TFRs on event days. Saint Louis is a highly constrained airspace city — KSTL Class B airspace begins at the surface near the airport and extends at various floor altitudes across the region, requiring LAANC authorization for virtually all flight operations.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Gateway Arch National Park (NPS): Drone operations prohibited — NPS Special Use Permit required
• St. Louis City Parks: Drone operations prohibited without written permit from Parks Department
• Busch Stadium: FAA TFR in effect on Cardinals MLB game days
• Enterprise Center: FAA TFR may be in effect for major events
• Forest Park: St. Louis's largest park — permit required; high-profile area
• Mississippi River waterfront: Within KSTL Class B or KCPS Class D airspace
• Washington University campus and Barnes-Jewish Medical District: Restrict operations
• Private property: R.S.Mo. § 569.140 trespass applies

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: St. Louis City Parks, Recreation and Forestry, (314) 289-5300, stlouis-mo.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

• Rural areas in Jefferson County south of St. Louis (outside Class B floor — verify on sectional chart)
• St. Charles County farmland west of KSUS Class D (check FAA sectional for Class B floor altitudes)
• Cliff Cave County Park area — check St. Louis County Parks for permit and verify airspace
• Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary (US Army Corps of Engineers — contact for permit; north of metro, verify Class B)

Areas to Avoid

• Lambert–St. Louis International (KSTL) — Class B airspace from surface, extends widely across region
• Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS) — Class D airspace, surface to 2,900 ft MSL
• St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) — Class D airspace
• Gateway Arch National Park — NPS permit required; zero tolerance enforcement
• Forest Park — permit required from St. Louis City Parks
• Busch Stadium — FAA TFR on Cardinals game days
• Scott Air Force Base (east of St. Louis in Illinois) — restricted military airspace
• All city parks without prior written Parks Department permit

Weather Considerations

Saint Louis has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible April through June. Summer heat and humidity (heat index above 100°F) regularly reduce battery performance and create hazy visibility. Mississippi River valley creates unique wind channeling. Check NWS St. Louis (weather.gov/lsx) for severe weather outlooks.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: September–October (post-storm season, lower humidity, clear visibility) and mid-March to mid-April before peak severe weather season. AVOID: May–June afternoon and evening hours during tornado and severe storm season; July–August when extreme heat and humidity are at peak. Winter: Generally flyable on clear days but ice storms occur — check forecasts.

Compliance Checklist

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