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Tennessee Drones Near Prisons & Critical Infrastructure (2026)

Restricted: Tennessee makes it an offense to knowingly fly a drone within 250 feet of the perimeter of a critical-infrastructure facility to conduct surveillance (T.C.A. 39-13-903, added by 2016 Public Chapter 788).

RestrictedVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: publications.tnsosfiles.com →

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

Drones Near Prisons & Critical Infrastructure in states bordering Tennessee

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

AlabamaRestricted
Operating a drone within 500 ft horizontally / 200 ft vertically of, or to surveil, an Alabama Dept. of Corrections facility is a Class C felony (Ala. Code 13A-7-91).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · Full Alabama rule →
ArkansasRestricted
Arkansas bars knowingly using a drone to surveil or record critical infrastructure without the owner's written consent (Ark. Code 5-60-103).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: arkleg.state.ar.us · Full Arkansas rule →
GeorgiaRestricted
Georgia makes it a felony to use a drone to photograph a place of incarceration for a criminal purpose or to deliver contraband to inmates (OCGA 42-5-18).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.ga.gov · Full Georgia rule →
KentuckyRestricted
Kentucky makes it a misdemeanor to fly a drone above key infrastructure assets (power, water, refineries) with intent to harm or surveil, without consent (KRS 511.100).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MississippiRestricted
Mississippi's UAS Protection Act (97-47-5, 2021) criminalizes using a drone to surveil/record critical infrastructure or a correctional facility without consent.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: billstatus.ls.state.ms.us · Full Mississippi rule →
MissouriRestricted
Missouri criminalizes flying a drone within 400 ft over an open-air facility/stadium (577.800) or over a correctional center's secure perimeter (217.850).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
North CarolinaRestricted
North Carolina (G.S. 15A-300.3) bans flying a drone within 500 ft / 250 ft of a confinement or correctional facility; weapon delivery is a felony.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ncleg.gov · Full North Carolina 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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