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New York Drone Privacy & Surveillance (2026)

Info: New York has no statewide drone-specific privacy crime (it is largely local, e.g., NYC); Penal Law 250.45 covers imaging-device surveillance generally, not drones.

InfoVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: nysenate.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Drone Privacy & Surveillance in states bordering New York

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

ConnecticutInfo
Connecticut has no drone-specific privacy statute for persons/property; its only drone-surveillance crime (PA 25-1) covers critical infrastructure; general voyeurism 53a-189a may apply.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: jud.ct.gov · Full Connecticut rule →
MassachusettsInfo
No enacted Massachusetts statute criminalizes drone surveillance of a person or property; such provisions exist only in proposed bills. FAA rules apply.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: malegislature.gov · Full Massachusetts rule →
New JerseyRestricted
New Jersey (P.L. 2017 c.315) makes it an offense for a person subject to a restraining/no-contact order to fly a drone near the protected person or location.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: pub.njleg.state.nj.us · Full New Jersey rule →
PennsylvaniaRestricted
Pennsylvania (18 Pa.C.S. 3505) makes it a summary offense to use a drone to surveil a person in a private place or place them in reasonable fear of injury.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.state.pa.us · Full Pennsylvania rule →
VermontConditional
Vermont (20 V.S.A. 4626): a civil penalty ($50-$250, not a crime) to use a drone to record images of private property or its owner/occupant to conduct surveillance without prior written consent.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legislature.vermont.gov · Full Vermont rule →

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