The Nebraska State Capitol is within the five-mile limit of the Lincoln Municipal Airport. For more information about restrictions associated with UAVs near the airport please contact the FAA.
Guidelines for the use of drones/unmanned aircraft systems at the Nebraska State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol is the seat of state government. All three branches of government are located in the building and over 900 people work in the building every day. Citizens of Nebraska come to the Capitol to conduct business; visitors from all over the United States and the world come to view the magnificent building. The Capitol is an inspirational public monument and photographers may desire to film and photograph the Capitol using a drone/UAV. Functions of state government have priority for use of the Capitol, and drone/UAV operation cannot interfere with functions of state government or present a possible threat to public safety.
- The use of a drone/UAV inside the Nebraska State Capitol is prohibited.
- The Nebraska State Capitol is within the 5 mile zone circumscribing the Lincoln Municipal Airport and all drone operators must fulfill all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations required for operating aircraft within the defined five (5) mile zone. See the FAA website for specific regulations for operation.
- Drone/UAV operators who meet the FAA requirements are able to fly a drone in the area adjacent to the Capitol property, defined as a cube with the boundaries of the curb line of all four public streets surrounding the Capitol reaching up perpendicular to a horizontal height of 800 feet, without permission from the Office of the Capitol Commission.
- Drone/UAV operators with proper FAA credentials may request permission, in advance, to fly a drone/UAV within the defined Capitol property by submitting a letter or Facility Use Permit to the Office of the Capitol Commission describing the purpose of the drone/UAV request. The request shall include the pilot’s name/agency/organization with FAA pilot and UAV identification and registration information, all contact information, the date, time and duration of the flight, and the type of drone/UAV and equipment to be used.
- The application letter or FUP shall be submitted to the Office of the Capitol Commission at least two (2) weeks in advance of the intended use date.
- A written response to the applicant will be provided by the Office of the Capitol Commission within five (5) working days of OCC receiving the request.
- Drone/UAV flights above Capitol property shall be limited to non-public hours and may not last longer than one hour.
- Because the Capitol is home to a pair of Peregrine falcons, drone/UAV use on Capitol property may be restricted during the breeding, nesting and fledging season, generally March through August, when the Peregrines are most territorial and UAVs could be perceived as a threat to the Peregrines. At all times Nebraska State Statute 37-509 prohibits the harassment of wildlife with an aircraft. Extreme caution must be used while flying a drone/UAV on Capitol property and the presence of a Peregrine in the air above the Capitol will require the drone/UAV activity to cease immediately.
- Wind and weather conditions vary greatly around the Capitol and drone/UAV operators must maintain a safe distance from the building depending on conditions. Drone/UAV operators will be responsible for any damage caused as a result of wind or weather conditions forcing the drone/UAV into or onto any part of the Capitol.
- Drone/UAV operators are prohibited from photographing the inside of the Capitol through the exterior windows or hovering near the exterior windows.
- A governmental institution may appeal the decision of the Office of the Capitol Commission by appearing before the Nebraska Capitol Commission at a regular quarterly meeting of this body and present a written statement describing the reason the original OCC decision is being appealed and the consideration the group is requesting from the Commission. Quarterly NCC meetings are scheduled at the start of each year and typically held in the first two weeks of February, June, August and November.
Request a Facility Use Permit
Please contact the Capitol Tourism Supervisor, (402) 471-0449 or roxanne.smith@nebraska.gov, to receive a Facility Use Permit. Correspondence may be sent to the Office of the Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 94696, Lincoln, NE 68509.
Source: Guidelines for the Use of Drones/Unmanned Aircraft Systems at the Nebraska State Capitol, Office of the Capitol Commission (PDF).