Rhode Island has two major state-level drone rules that go beyond the federal baseline: a statewide preemption of local ordinances and a blanket ban on drones in state parks. The state does not have a drone-specific privacy law, relying instead on its general video voyeurism statute.
| Restriction | Statute | Penalty |
|---|
| Local municipalities cannot regulate drones | R.I. Gen. Laws Title 1, Ch. 2 (HB 7511) | Local ordinances are void under preemption |
| Drones banned in all state parks/management areas | Title 250 Park Regulations (2019) | Up to $500 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment |
| Drone-based voyeurism | R.I. Gen. Laws 11-64-2 | Up to $5,000 fine and/or 3 years imprisonment |
| Government drone surveillance oversight | R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 42-28.9 | Applies to law enforcement only |
The state preemption law
Rhode Island's preemption statute (HB 7511, enacted 2016) gives the state and RIAC "exclusive legal authority" to regulate drones. Cities and towns cannot pass their own drone ordinances. This is a significant advantage for pilots because it eliminates the patchwork of local rules you'd face in states like New York or California.
There is one exception worth noting. Narragansett adopted a local drone ordinance on June 6, 2016 that prohibits drones within 500 feet of Town Beach during beach season, over large venue events, and over public parks during special events. This is the only local drone ordinance in Rhode Island. Its enforceability is legally questionable given the state preemption law, but it remains on the books and local police have referenced it.
Warning: Narragansett's drone ordinance may conflict with state preemption law, but it has not been formally challenged in court. If you plan to fly near Narragansett Town Beach during summer, be aware that local authorities may still attempt enforcement.
State parks: permit-only access
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) prohibits all drone operations in Rhode Island state parks and management areas under Title 250 regulations. Special use permits exist but are currently issued only to professional film companies and news organizations. Recreational pilots cannot obtain a permit regardless of experience or certification.
Violations carry penalties of up to $500 and/or 6 months imprisonment. The ban applies to all state-managed beaches as well, since they fall under the same DEM jurisdiction as state parks.
The 2023 Cranston voyeurism case
In June 2023, Christopher Jones of Cranston used a drone to spy on a female neighbor through her bathroom window at approximately 11 PM. The victim heard buzzing and called 911. Investigators recovered drone footage showing Jones had recorded the woman multiple times while she was naked. Jones, a previously convicted sex offender, was arrested and charged with felony video voyeurism under R.I. Gen. Laws 11-64-2. He was released on $15,000 bail and arraigned in Kent County Court.
This case is significant because it was Rhode Island's first widely publicized drone voyeurism prosecution. It demonstrated that the general video voyeurism statute (not a drone-specific law) is the primary enforcement tool for drone privacy violations in the state. Rhode Island remains one of the states without drone-specific privacy legislation.
For more on privacy law, see our drone spying laws guide and flying over private property guide.
