Handbook of Operating Procedures 8-1070

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Effective May 7, 2026
Executive Sponsor: Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Policy Owner: Director of Environmental Health and Safety


 

1. Policy Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Austin ("University") to provide a safe educational, living, and working environment for its students, employees, affiliates and visitors. The University recognizes the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ("UAV") on University property may threaten the privacy and safety of the University community, disturb the educational goals of the University, and/or interfere with the University community's reasonable use and enjoyment of the air above its property. The University prohibits the use of a UAV on University property and off campus when conducting University-sponsored activities, except as required by law or pursuant to the authorization process provided by this policy. Any approved use of UAV(s) on University property or off campus must comply with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for such use.
 

2. Reason for Policy

To provide administrative roles, responsibilities, and procedures for the use of UAV on University property and off campus when UAV are to be operated as part of University-sponsored activities.
 

3. Scope & Audience

This policy applies to all employees, students, visitors, University affiliates, and any other individual or entity, including but not limited to filmmakers who wish to use UAV on University property or while conducting University-sponsored activities off campus. This policy is not intended to provide approval for filming, video or photography on University property, or procurement of UAV services. Approval for these activities, associated with use of UAV, must be obtained prior to any request for use of UAV on University property.
 

4. Definitions (specific to this policy)

Unmanned Aircraft System ("UAS"):

An unmanned aerial vehicle and its associated elements that are required for the safe and efficient operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the national airspace system. Such elements may include control stations (ground, ship, or air-based), control links, support equipment, payloads, flight termination systems, and launch/recovery equipment.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ("UAV"):

An aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. This includes, but is not limited to, quad-copters, remote-controlled planes and devices commonly referred to as "drones."

University Property:

All real estate property owned by the University, including buildings, grounds and land that are owned or controlled by means of leases or other formal contractual arrangements to support ongoing operations and research.
 

5. Website (for policy)

https://secure4.compliancebridge.com/utexas/public/getdoc.php?file=8-1070

6. Contacts

7. Responsibilities & Procedures
   1. Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ("UAV")

1.  General. A person operating a UAV pursuant to this policy must meet all legal requirements to operate the UAV as applicable, including, but not limited to, educational user exception requirements, Section 44807 Exemption Documentation, a Certificate of Authorization ("COA") documenting the operating of the specific UAV for a specific purpose in a specific area, a UAV registered with the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Registration system, and a pilot with an FAA Airman Certificate and/or Remote Pilot Certification. Notice must be provided to the local Air Traffic Control or FAA Flight Standards District Office when legally required.

2.  On University Property. The use of UAV on University property is prohibited unless otherwise required by law or approved in advance by the University. Refer to Section VII. B, Authorization Procedures for on Campus Use, below.

3.  University-Sponsored Use Off-Campus. Use of UAV off campus by University employees in the scope of employment must have prior approval by the applicable department head and dean/vice president or their delegate. The requestor must submit the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Request Form to begin the process. The review will include input from Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs, Risk Management, and other offices as deemed necessary. Written approval by the land owner or lessor, as applicable, must be provided by the requestor.

2. Authorization Procedures for on Campus Use

1.  Approval. The director of EHS or their designee is responsible for approving the use of UAV on University property.

2.  Application. An individual who wishes to use a UAV on University property must submit an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Request Form. A drone agreement is required for individuals not affiliated with the university (e.g. non-UT personnel, contractors, vendors) who seek to utilize a drone on UT Austin property.

3.  UAV Review Group ("UAVRG"). The UAVRG will review all submissions for UAV use and provide its recommendation to approve or deny a request. Given the variety of campus interest the UAVRG will be comprised of representatives from the list below, though additional groups may be involved based on the specific request:

• Environmental Health and Safety, whose representative will serve as chair
• Legal Affairs
• University Marketing and Communications
• Office of the President
• The University of Texas Police Department
• Risk Management

• risk to the health and safety of persons on University property;
• risk to University property;
• distraction from the educational mission of the University;
• business, educational or research value to the University;
• compliance with UT System insurance requirements;
• and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The UAVRG may also seek input from departments affected by the use of the UAV. UAVRG may propose an alternative time, location, or any other change in the best interest of the University.

4.  Approval. The Director of EHS or their designee will review UAVRG's recommendation and ultimately approve the request as submitted, provide conditional approval, or deny the request and provide notification to the applicant. If an approval or conditional approval is granted, the applicant must follow all restrictions and requirements set by the committee for the use of a UAV. The applicant will comply with all FAA regulations and other applicable laws and policies. Decisions made by the Director of EHS or their designee under this section are final. In addition, the University reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any approved UAV usage, if doing so is in the best interests of the University.

5.  Responsibilities

1.  Notice. Upon approval of the use of UAV, the applicant will collaborate with the University to provide notice to any parties who may be affected by the use of UAV. This notice must include the time, place, and purpose of the use of UAV.

2.  Damage. The applicant granted approval for use is responsible for any damage resulting from the use of UAV on University property. If the applicant is a University employee/department, using a third-party contractor to operate UAV, liability for damage must be otherwise assigned contractually to this third party. Damage to University property or injury to an individual(s) due to UAV operations is considered a violation of this policy. Please see insurance requirements below.

3. Insurance Requirements

The insurance requirements associated with use of UAV on University property and off-campus will be determined by Risk Management, in consultation with UT System Risk Management.

4. Registration and Remote Identification Requirements

Any UAV approved to operate on university property and all University owned or acquired UAV, weighing more than 0.55 lbs., must be properly registered and meet the rule for remote ID in accordance with FAA requirements. See Section VIII, Forms and Tools, for registration information and requirements.

5. Exceptions

Prior notice and authorization are preferred, but not required, for use of UAV on University property by emergency personnel acting under the authority of applicable law.

6. Sanctions

A University employee who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. A student who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. A visitor or other third party who uses UAV on University property in violation of this policy is considered trespassing and will be subject to actions the University has available including removal from campus, arrest, prosecution and/or other legal action. Any University contracted vendor that violates the terms or conditions of their approved flight is subject to disciplinary action including removal from campus and termination of their contract.
 

8. Forms & Tools

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Request Form (UT Property & non-UT Property)

 Registration Information and Requirements

Remote Identification Requirements

Educational Users
 

9. Frequently Asked Questions

None
 

10. Related Information

Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COA)

 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Registration

 UAV/UAS No Drone Zone

Requesting FAA Exemption under Section 44807
 

11. History

Modified: May, 7, 2026
     Next scheduled review: May 2029

Origination date: October 17, 2016
     Editorial changes made: August 10,2021