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District of Columbia Drones Near Prisons & Critical Infrastructure (2026)

Restricted: The entire District lies in the FAA's DC Flight Restricted Zone, a federal no-fly zone; drone flight within the 15-mile inner ring is prohibited without FAA authorization.

RestrictedVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: faa.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Drones Near Prisons & Critical Infrastructure in states bordering District of Columbia

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

MarylandRestricted
Maryland (Crim. Law 9-417.1) makes it a misdemeanor to use an unmanned aircraft to deliver contraband to a person confined in a place of confinement.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
VirginiaRestricted
Virginia (Va. Code 18.2-121.3(B)): a Class 4 felony to fly a drone over critical infrastructure/utilities without authorization; a Class 1 misdemeanor over a correctional facility.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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