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Virginia Drones Near Prisons & Critical Infrastructure (2026)

Restricted: Virginia (Va. Code 18.2-121.3(B)): a Class 4 felony to fly a drone over critical infrastructure/utilities without authorization; a Class 1 misdemeanor over a correctional facility.

RestrictedVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: law.lis.virginia.gov →

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

Drones Near Prisons & Critical Infrastructure in states bordering Virginia

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

District of ColumbiaRestricted
The entire District lies in the FAA's DC Flight Restricted Zone, a federal no-fly zone; drone flight within the 15-mile inner ring is prohibited without FAA authorization.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: faa.gov · Full District of Columbia rule →
KentuckyRestricted
Kentucky makes it a misdemeanor to fly a drone above key infrastructure assets (power, water, refineries) with intent to harm or surveil, without consent (KRS 511.100).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandRestricted
Maryland (Crim. Law 9-417.1) makes it a misdemeanor to use an unmanned aircraft to deliver contraband to a person confined in a place of confinement.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
North CarolinaRestricted
North Carolina (G.S. 15A-300.3) bans flying a drone within 500 ft / 250 ft of a confinement or correctional facility; weapon delivery is a felony.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ncleg.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
TennesseeRestricted
Tennessee makes it an offense to knowingly fly a drone within 250 feet of the perimeter of a critical-infrastructure facility to conduct surveillance (T.C.A. 39-13-903, added by 2016 Public Chapter 788).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com · Full Tennessee rule →
West VirginiaRestricted
West Virginia (61-16-2(b)): a misdemeanor to fly a drone over a 'targeted facility' (critical infrastructure) to deploy an object or to surveil/gather info with intent to do harm.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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