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West Virginia Drone Privacy & Surveillance (2026)

Restricted: West Virginia (61-16-2(a)) makes it a misdemeanor to operate a drone to capture images/audio of another person or private property, without permission, invading a reasonable expectation of privacy.

RestrictedVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: code.wvlegislature.gov →

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

Drone Privacy & Surveillance in states bordering West Virginia

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

KentuckyRestricted
Kentucky (HB 19, 2025) bars using a drone to record images of private property or its occupants to conduct surveillance without consent (KRS 500.130).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandInfo
Maryland has no drone-specific privacy crime; Econ. Dev. 14-301 reserves all UAS regulation to the State and preempts local drone rules.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
OhioInfo
Ohio has no statute criminalizing drone surveillance of persons or property; the state UAV law (ORC 4561.51) covers only responder interference and criminal-intent critical-facility flights.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: codes.ohio.gov · Full Ohio 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 →
VirginiaConditional
Virginia (Va. Code 18.2-121.3): flying a drone within 50 ft of a dwelling to coerce/intimidate/harass, or imaging an inmate, is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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