TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida has adopted one of the most comprehensive and restrictive drone laws in the country, significantly expanding no-fly zones, increasing criminal penalties, and tightening surveillance and registration rules for drone operators statewide. The new law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, that took effect on October 1, 2025, and applies to both recreational and commercial drone pilots.
State lawmakers say the legislation is intended to protect public safety, critical infrastructure, and privacy. However, the changes also introduce new criminal exposure for everyday drone users who may be unaware that previously legal flight areas are now restricted.
Under the new statute, Florida dramatically broadens the definition of “critical infrastructure,” creating expanded drone no-fly zones around locations such as airports, military installations, correctional facilities, power plants, water treatment facilities, communication towers, government buildings, and emergency operations centers. Drone flights are prohibited within 500 feet horizontally and 400 feet vertically of these sites without authorization, and flying directly over them is forbidden.
The law also establishes a 1,000-foot exclusion zone around temporary emergency scenes, including fires, accident responses, and disaster recovery areas. Officials say drones in these situations have interfered with emergency personnel and posed safety risks.
In addition to airspace restrictions, the law imposes stricter registration and identification requirements. Drone operators must comply with Federal Aviation Administration registration rules, maintain active remote identification broadcasting, display visible identification numbers, and carry proof of registration during flights. Commercial operators may also be required to register with local authorities.
Violations now carry substantially harsher penalties. First-time offenses may result in misdemeanor charges with fines and possible jail time, while repeat violations increase exposure. More serious conduct, such as flying near protected facilities without authorization, can result in third-degree felony charges, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. Operating drones equipped with weapons, explosives, or destructive devices is classified as a second-degree felony, carrying penalties of up to fifteen years in prison and mandatory forfeiture of equipment.
The statute also tightens surveillance and privacy restrictions, making it a crime to use drones to record protected facilities or private property without consent. Recording individuals in private settings, flying near homes to capture images, or repeatedly monitoring a location can lead to criminal charges and civil liability.
Florida lawmakers emphasized concerns raised during committee hearings, including drones being used to deliver contraband to prisons, conduct unauthorized surveillance, and interfere with emergency response operations. The legislation also aligns state enforcement more closely with FAA remote identification requirements, allowing law enforcement agencies to request drone identification and flight data during investigations.
The law includes limits on law enforcement drone use as well. Police agencies may deploy drones only for defined purposes such as traffic accident documentation, search and rescue missions, emergency coordination, and public safety inspections. Agencies must follow written policies, maintain records of drone flights, and observe constitutional protections.
Legal analysts note that the new law creates a complex regulatory environment where a single flight error could lead to criminal investigation. Because drone cases often rely on technical data such as flight logs, airspace maps, and remote identification signals, enforcement outcomes may depend heavily on how evidence is interpreted and whether authorities follow required procedures.
As the October 2025 effective date approaches, officials recommend that drone operators review updated airspace maps, verify FAA compliance, and exercise caution near public facilities. Advocates for drone users warn that education will be critical, as many pilots may not realize that familiar flying locations are now restricted.
The new law represents a significant shift in how Florida regulates unmanned aircraft, placing the state among those with the strictest criminal penalties for drone misuse. For pilots across Florida, understanding the rules before takeoff may be the difference between a lawful flight and serious legal consequences.