Missouri's state-level drone laws focus on three specific areas: open-air entertainment venues, correctional facilities, and surveillance. There are no general drone operation statutes, which is why most pilots can operate freely with just FAA credentials.
RSMo 577.800: Stadium and Venue Ban
This law prohibits drones within 400 feet of altitude and the property boundary of any open-air facility with a capacity of 5,000 or more people that is not completely enclosed by a roof. This covers stadiums like Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs), Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals), Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals), and major amphitheaters.
| Violation Type | Classification | Penalty |
|---|
| Basic violation (flying near venue) | Infraction | Fine only (minor) |
| Delivering a weapon via drone | Class B Felony | 5-15 years prison |
| Delivering controlled substance | Class D Felony | Up to 7 years prison |
Note: The law requires each open-air facility to post signage warning of these provisions. There are also exceptions for facility employees acting under direction, persons with written consent from facility leadership, law enforcement, government officials, and utility workers inspecting infrastructure.
RSMo 217.850: Correctional Facility Ban
Drones are prohibited near all Missouri correctional and penal institutions. The penalty structure escalates based on what the drone is carrying.
| Violation Type | Classification | Penalty |
|---|
| Delivering a weapon | Class B Felony | 5-15 years prison |
| Facilitating an escape | Class C Felony | Up to 10 years prison |
| Delivering controlled substance | Class D Felony | Up to 7 years prison |
RSMo 542.525: Surveillance Restrictions
Missouri law prohibits using drones to gather evidence or information about criminal conduct except as authorized by a warrant. Drones cannot be used to conduct surveillance or observation of any individual or property without the consent of that individual or property owner. This applies to both law enforcement and private citizens.
Voyeurism: RSMo 565.250
Missouri's voyeurism statute applies to drone-based peeping. It is illegal to knowingly view, photograph, or film a nude or partially nude person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without their consent. Penalty: up to 1 year in prison and $1,000 fine. If multiple victims are involved in the same incident, the penalty increases to up to 5 years and $5,000. For more on drone privacy and spying laws, see our full guide.
Enforcement Case: Ozark County Drone Stalking (2024)
In May 2024, Orval Don Merriman was charged with felony second-degree stalking and first-degree harassment after flying a red drone over a law enforcement officer's property in Ozark County. The officer had previously arrested Merriman for narcotics trafficking in December 2023. A search warrant on Merriman's phone revealed drone photographs of the victim's house taken from the air. The case demonstrates how existing stalking and harassment statutes apply to drone misuse even without drone-specific privacy laws.
Pending Legislation: HB 209, HB 210, SB 296
Missouri lawmakers have introduced bills for the 2025 session that would strengthen drone regulations. HB 209 would require warrants for law enforcement drone surveillance. HB 210 and SB 296 would ban state and local agencies from purchasing or using drones manufactured by "countries of concern," which primarily targets DJI and other Chinese-made drones. As of early 2026, none of these bills have been enacted, but they signal the direction of Missouri's drone policy.
Warning: If the "countries of concern" bills pass, law enforcement agencies and government contractors using DJI drones in Missouri would need to transition to alternatives like Skydio or Autel. This would not affect private recreational or commercial operators directly, but could shift the professional market.
