Kansas has several state-level drone laws that go beyond federal requirements. The biggest difference is how Kansas handles privacy: through its existing stalking and harassment statutes rather than a standalone drone privacy law.
| Restriction | Statute | Penalty |
|---|
| Drone surveillance as harassment | K.S.A. 60-31a02 (SB 319, 2016) | Class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year jail + $2,500 fine (first offense) |
| Stalking via drone (repeat offense) | K.S.A. 21-5427 | Severity level 7 person felony: up to $300,000 fine |
| Drone use on KDWP land | K.A.R. 115-8-13 | Class C misdemeanor: up to $500 fine + 1 month jail |
| Hunting or scouting with drones | K.S.A. 32-1003 | Hunting violation penalties |
| Government use of foreign adversary drones | SB 271 (2024) | Applies to agencies, not individual pilots |
| Flying near airports without consent | Kansas Ordinance Code Sec. 9.35.210 | Up to $500 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment |
Warning: Kansas folds drone surveillance into its Protection from Stalking Act. A first offense is a Class A person misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail and $2,500 fine). A second offense escalates to a severity level 7 person felony with fines up to $300,000 and potential prison time of 31 to 136 months.
The stalking law approach to drone privacy
In 2016, Kansas passed SB 319, which amended the Protection from Stalking Act (K.S.A. 60-31a02) to include drone surveillance. The law defines "harassment" to include any course of conduct using an unmanned aerial system over or near any dwelling, occupied vehicle, or other place where someone can reasonably expect to be safe from uninvited surveillance.
This is different from states like California, which use civil liability. In Kansas, drone harassment is a criminal matter handled by law enforcement and prosecutors. The burden of proof is higher, but the consequences are more severe.
Complete KDWP land ban
K.A.R. 115-8-13 prohibits drones on all Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks property. That covers every state park, wildlife area, and KDWP-managed parcel in the state. A few parks have designated UAS operating areas approved by the KDWPT Secretary, but those are the exception. Always call the specific park office before assuming you can fly.
Hunting and wildlife restrictions
K.S.A. 32-1003 bans using aircraft, including drones, to take wildlife. This covers hunting, scouting game, and locating wounded or harvested animals. Filming hunts is also prohibited on KDWP land. On private (non-KDWP) land, you can film a hunt as long as the drone is not used to locate or pursue game.
2024 foreign adversary drone ban
SB 271, signed in 2024, prohibits Kansas government agencies from purchasing or using drones with components from countries of concern (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela). This primarily affects law enforcement and government operations. Recreational and commercial pilots are not directly affected, but it signals the direction Kansas is heading on drone sourcing. The law also created the Kansas Drone Rehabilitation Fund, administered by the Attorney General, to help agencies transition to compliant equipment.
Enforcement reality: Sumner County mystery drones (December 2024)
In December 2024, multiple residents of Sumner County (south of Mulvane) reported large quadcopter drones flying over homes and private properties in grid patterns. One resident described drones flying "non-stop" over his house. The Sumner County Sheriff's Office received multiple calls but had not been able to observe the drones directly.
No arrests or charges were filed. The incident was part of the broader nationwide mystery drone sighting wave in late 2024. It highlighted a practical gap in Kansas's drone harassment statute: K.S.A. 60-31a02 is difficult to enforce when operators cannot be identified. KSN News also reported that shooting down drones over your property is a felony in Kansas, involving criminal damage to property and (in cities) discharging a firearm within city limits.
For more on privacy law, see our drone spying laws guide and flying over private property guide.
