Drone Laws in Tennessee: Surveillance Rules, Penalties, and Where to Fly (2026)

Tennessee stands out because of its per-image offense model and the breadth of its surveillance statutes. Most states treat drone privacy violations as a single offense per flight. Tennessee counts every image separately, which can turn a single flight into dozens of charges. The state also carved out very specific bans for events, fireworks, and hunting that you won't find in most other states' drone laws.

Every FAA rule applies in Tennessee as the regulatory baseline. State laws add restrictions on top of these, but they cannot override or relax federal requirements.

For a full breakdown of federal costs, see our drone license cost guide. For airspace restrictions, check the drone no-fly zones guide.

Tennessee has built one of the more detailed state-level drone law frameworks in the country. The UAS surveillance statutes (TCA 39-13-901 through 905) specifically target image capture, critical infrastructure, events, and hunting. Here's what makes Tennessee different.

The per-image offense model

TCA 39-13-903 is the statute that sets Tennessee apart from nearly every other state. It makes each unlawfully captured image a separate criminal offense. A single flight where you take 50 surveillance photos could result in 50 individual misdemeanor charges. The $50 fine per image sounds modest until you multiply it across a memory card full of photos.

The surveillance statute applies when you use a drone to capture images of a person on private property without their consent, where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. It does not apply to every flight over private land. Flying over an empty field without a camera running would not trigger the statute.

The 15+ lawful exceptions

TCA 39-13-902 lists more than 15 exceptions where drone image capture is lawful. These include higher education research, military operations, law enforcement with proper authorization, utility infrastructure inspection, real estate photography, mapping and surveying, and several more. If your use falls within one of these categories, the surveillance statutes do not apply.

Critical infrastructure felony

TCA 39-13-905 makes it a Class E felony to operate a drone within 250 feet of critical infrastructure. This includes power plants, water treatment facilities, oil refineries, and similar sites. A Class E felony in Tennessee carries 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine up to $3,000. This is the most severe drone-specific penalty in Tennessee and one of the harshest in the country.

Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act

TCA 39-13-609 restricts law enforcement use of drones. Police in Tennessee generally need a warrant to conduct drone surveillance, with limited exceptions for emergencies, search and rescue, and border security. This means police drone overflights of your property without a warrant are restricted, giving Tennessee residents some protection that doesn't exist in every state.

For more on privacy law, see our drone spying laws guide and flying over private property guide.

Tennessee's mix of national parks, tourist destinations, and urban areas creates a patchwork of flight restrictions. The Great Smoky Mountains alone accounts for most tourist-area drone questions.

Nashville drone rules

Nashville requires Parks Director approval to fly in any city-owned park. The process is not a simple online form. You'll need to contact the Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation department and provide details about your planned flight, purpose, and insurance. Commercial shoots typically need additional film permits through the Nashville Film Office. Controlled airspace around Nashville International Airport (BNA) covers much of the metro area, so LAANC authorization is required for most flights.

Gatlinburg and the Smokies corridor

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville sit right at the boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. NPS strictly enforces the drone ban within the park, and local authorities in these tourist towns are also vigilant. During the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires, TFRs grounded all aircraft (including drones) in the area, and any violations during active TFRs carry federal penalties on top of state charges.

For more on where to fly, see our guides on where you can fly a drone and drones in national parks.

Commercial drone operations in Tennessee require the standard FAA Part 107 certificate plus awareness of the state's surveillance exceptions that protect legitimate business use.

Part 107 basics

The Part 107 test costs $175, covers 60 multiple-choice questions on airspace, weather, and regulations, and is valid for 24 months before requiring a recurrent test. Tennessee has PSI testing centers in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and several smaller cities. Most locations offer same-week availability.

State business requirements

Tennessee does not require a separate drone-specific business license. Standard business licensing applies: you need a state business license from the Tennessee Department of Revenue and a city business license where you operate. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, which is a plus for drone business operators compared to states like California or New York.

Surveillance exceptions for commercial operators

TCA 39-13-902 provides more than 15 lawful exceptions to the surveillance statutes. Commercial operators should know which exceptions apply to their work:

• Real estate photography and videography
• Utility and infrastructure inspection
• Mapping, surveying, and land assessment
• Higher education and research institutions
• Insurance claims and property damage assessment
• Licensed private investigators

Tennessee-specific opportunities

Tennessee's landscape and economy create several strong commercial drone markets:

• Real estate photography in Nashville's booming housing market
• Country music and entertainment event coverage (Nashville, Memphis)
• Agricultural monitoring across the state's 67,000+ farms
• Construction progress documentation (Nashville is one of the fastest-growing US cities)
• TVA infrastructure inspection (Tennessee Valley Authority manages extensive power and water infrastructure)
• Tourism and hospitality marketing for the Smokies region

For a full guide on getting started, see our how to start a drone business guide and drone pilot salary guide.