Virginia Beach, Virginia Drone Laws

Overview

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

State Regulations & Statutes

Virginia has enacted drone-specific criminal statutes. Virginia Code § 18.2-121.3 prohibits the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system to capture images of private property or persons with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass — a Class 1 misdemeanor. Virginia Code § 18.2-60.3 covers stalking via drone. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) prohibits drone operations in Virginia State Parks without a permit. Virginia Beach presents extreme airspace complexity: the city is adjacent to NAS Oceana (KNTU), one of the busiest military jet bases on the East Coast, with restricted airspace R-6604A/B/C covering large portions of the city. Commercial operators need FAA Part 107; recreational flyers must register and follow TRUST requirements.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• Virginia Code § 18.2-121.3 — Unlawful use of drone to capture images of private property/persons with intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass: Class 1 misdemeanor
• Virginia Code § 18.2-60.3 — Stalking via drone: Class 1 misdemeanor (Class 6 felony for repeat offense)
• DCR: drone flight prohibited in Virginia State Parks without advance permit from park superintendent
• R-6604A/B/C — NAS Oceana military restricted airspace covering large portions of Virginia Beach: active during flight operations, NO civilian drones
• 14 CFR Part 107 — Remote Pilot Certificate required for commercial operations
• Norfolk International Airport (KORF) Class C — covers northern Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Bay area

Permits & Registration

Commercial operations require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational flyers must register drones over 0.55 lbs and pass TRUST test. Virginia State Parks permit required for drone operations — contact individual park offices through DCR. NAS Oceana restricted airspace (R-6604) is NOT open to civilian drones; contact NAS Oceana operations for any requests. LAANC available for KORF Class C and KNGU Class D airspace via approved apps.

Official Statute Links

• https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter5/section18.2-121.3/
• https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter5/section18.2-60.3/
• https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/drone-policy
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/

Local Ordinances

Virginia Beach City Code does not contain a comprehensive standalone drone ordinance, but the city enforces state law and manages drone access in city parks and the resort oceanfront area. The Virginia Beach oceanfront (Atlantic Ocean shoreline, boardwalk area) is a high-density tourist zone; the city parks department prohibits drone operations in City parks without advance permit. Virginia Beach is adjacent to NAS Oceana, and R-6604 restricted areas cover the central and western portions of the city.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Virginia Beach City parks: drone operations prohibited without prior written permit from Department of Parks and Recreation
• Virginia Beach Oceanfront / Boardwalk area: no drone operations in the Resort Area due to crowd density and proximity to NAS Oceana MOA
• First Landing State Park: Virginia State Parks — drone flight prohibited without DCR permit
• False Cape State Park: Virginia State Parks — drone flight prohibited without DCR permit; accessible only by boat/foot
• Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: USFWS prohibits drones without special use permit
• NAS Oceana (KNTU) and adjacent military property: R-6604A/B/C restricted airspace — absolutely no unauthorized drone operations
• Military aviation corridors over Virginia Beach: active fighter jet traffic at low altitudes — extreme hazard

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation, (757) 385-1100, vbgov.com/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 of Isle of Wight County (~25 mi northwest — verify airspace and private property access, outside restricted areas)
• Rural Suffolk, VA agricultural areas (~30 mi northwest — verify Class C clearance from KORF and property rights)
• Chesapeake, VA open areas in the southern portions (~15 mi west — check for R-6604 overlap via B4UFLY)

Areas to Avoid

• R-6604A — NAS Oceana primary restricted area: covers central Virginia Beach, active during flight ops, no civilian drones
• R-6604B/C — NAS Oceana extended restricted areas: cover large swaths of Virginia Beach
• Norfolk International (KORF) Class C — covers northern Virginia Beach and entire metro area
• NAS Norfolk / Chambers Field (KNGU) Class D — covers northwest areas
• Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort Area — city prohibition plus close proximity to military MOA
• Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge — USFWS no-drone policy
• First Landing State Park — DCR permit required
• False Cape State Park — DCR permit required; extremely remote and sensitive

Weather Considerations

Virginia Beach has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Atlantic Ocean influence brings frequent sea fog (especially spring and fall mornings) and thunderstorms June through September. Hurricane season (June–November) requires vigilance. Nor'easters can bring severe wind and low visibility October through March. Check NWS Wakefield (weather.gov/akq) and METAR at KORF.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October–November and March–April — moderate temperatures, lower humidity, fewer thunderstorms. AVOID: June–September — active thunderstorm season and peak tourist crowds on oceanfront. Winter (December–February) is flyable on clear days but watch for nor'easters. CRITICAL: Always check R-6604 NOTAM status via 1800wxbrief.com or B4UFLY before any flight — NAS Oceana flight ops can activate R-6604 with little notice.

Compliance Checklist

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