Tucson, Arizona Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Arizona has a strong statewide preemption framework for drone regulation. A.R.S. § 28-8247 expressly prohibits cities and counties from enacting ordinances that regulate the use of drones, reserving that authority to the state and federal government. A.R.S. § 13-3729 (surveillance by drone) makes it a class 4 felony to use a drone to surveil another person or their property without consent. Tucson sits within a complex airspace environment due to Tucson International Airport (KTUS), Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (KDMA), and multiple restricted and warning areas. Part 107 certification is required for commercial operations; recreational flyers must pass the TRUST test and register drones over 0.55 lbs.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• A.R.S. § 13-3729 — Surveillance by drone: class 4 felony to photograph, videotape, or surveil another person without consent using a drone
• A.R.S. § 28-8247 — State preemption: cities and counties may NOT enact local drone ordinances; only state and federal law applies
• 14 CFR Part 107 — Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial drone operations
• 14 CFR § 91.130 — Class C authorization required for operations within KTUS (Tucson International) Class C airspace
• Davis-Monthan AFB (KDMA): restricted military airspace — never fly over or near the base without explicit military authorization; R-2305 restricted area nearby
• Saguaro National Park (East and West districts): NPS 36 CFR § 1.5 — drones strictly prohibited without a special use permit
• Arizona State Trust Land: commercial drone use requires an Arizona State Land Department permit
• 14 CFR § 99.7 — Special Security Instructions apply in sensitive areas near Davis-Monthan AFB
• FAA LAANC required for flights within KTUS Class C; available via DroneZone and approved apps
• Drone registration required for all aircraft over 0.55 lbs under 14 CFR Part 48

Permits & Registration

Commercial operators must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational flyers must register drones over 0.55 lbs, pass TRUST test, and obtain LAANC authorization near KTUS. Saguaro National Park requires a special use permit — contact NPS Saguaro at (520) 733-5153. Arizona State Land Department issues permits for commercial operations on state trust land at azland.gov. City of Tucson parks require advance written authorization from Tucson Parks & Recreation at (520) 791-4873.

Official Statute Links

• https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03729.htm
• https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/08247.htm
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/
• https://www.nps.gov/sagu/learn/management/drones.htm

Local Ordinances

The City of Tucson's ability to regulate drones is largely preempted by A.R.S. § 28-8247. However, the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department has established an administrative policy prohibiting drone takeoffs and landings in city parks without prior written permission. Saguaro National Park (both East and West districts) strictly prohibits drone operations. Davis-Monthan AFB creates a substantial restricted airspace footprint over the city's east side. The Tucson Mountains and Rincon Mountain districts of Saguaro NP flank the city on both sides.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• City of Tucson parks: drones prohibited for takeoff and landing without prior written authorization from Parks and Recreation, (520) 791-4873
• Saguaro National Park (West — Tucson Mountain District): NPS 36 CFR § 1.5 — all drone operations prohibited without special use permit
• Saguaro National Park (East — Rincon Mountain District): NPS 36 CFR § 1.5 — all drone operations prohibited without special use permit
• Davis-Monthan AFB (KDMA): never fly over or approach military flight lines, aircraft, or facilities — federal law violations enforced
• Reid Park: City park — advance authorization required; near KTUS Class C surface area
• Tucson Mountain Park (Pima County): Pima County Parks permit required for commercial drone operations
• Rillito Regional Park: advance authorization from Pima County Parks and Recreation required
• Downtown Tucson: be aware of KTUS Class C airspace overhead; LAANC authorization required before flying
• University of Arizona campus: private property — written permission from UA Risk Management required
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: private facility — advance written authorization required

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: City of Tucson Parks and Recreation, (520) 791-4873, tucsonaz.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

• Rillito Regional Park river corridor (north Tucson) — open desert riparian area; verify outside KTUS Class C via B4UFLY before flying
• Catalina State Park area (north of city, ~14 mi) — Coronado National Forest buffer areas; confirm USFS rules and airspace
• Continental Ranch open desert areas (northwest Tucson) — verify outside Class C and private land boundaries
• Marana area open desert (northwest, ~20 mi) — rural, outside major airspace restrictions; check for private land
• Oracle Road corridor (north Tucson foothills) — elevated terrain for scenic shots; verify airspace and land ownership
• Sahuarita / Green Valley open areas (south Tucson, ~25 mi) — away from airport Class C; good desert landscape flying

Areas to Avoid

• Saguaro National Park West (Tucson Mountain District) — NPS drone prohibition, strictly enforced
• Saguaro National Park East (Rincon Mountain District) — NPS drone prohibition, strictly enforced
• Davis-Monthan AFB (KDMA) — active military airspace; A-10 Warthogs, bone yard; absolutely no drone flights
• KTUS Class C airspace (surface to 4,100 ft MSL, ~5 nm radius core) — LAANC authorization required
• Tucson city parks — administrative prohibition on drone operations without written permit
• Biosphere 2 area (Oracle, ~30 mi north) — verify private property and airspace
• Coronado National Memorial (NPS, ~60 mi south) — NPS 36 CFR § 1.5 drone prohibition
• Military Warning Areas (W-287, W-289) — active supersonic military training airspace southeast of Tucson; avoid

Weather Considerations

Tucson has a hot desert climate at 2,389 ft elevation. Summer (June–September) is extremely hot with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F, causing battery performance degradation and motor overheating. Monsoon season (July–September) brings rapidly developing afternoon and evening thunderstorms — morning flights are generally safe but conditions can change within hours. Winter (November–February) offers the most stable flying conditions with mild temperatures and low winds. Spring (March–May) can bring dusty conditions and occasional strong winds.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: November–April — mild temperatures, stable air, minimal precipitation, excellent visibility. AVOID: July–September monsoon afternoons (storms develop rapidly after noon). If flying in summer, launch before 9 AM to avoid heat and approaching monsoon systems. Check NWS Tucson (weather.gov/twc) for monsoon outlooks. During monsoon season watch for haboob dust storms that can arrive with almost no warning. High desert altitude reduces drone lift slightly — plan battery management accordingly.

Compliance Checklist

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