Nevada § 493.112 - Unmanned aerial vehicles: Operation by law enforcement agency; warrant required under certain circumstances; information acquired in violation of section inadmissible and may not be used to establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause
Full text of Nevada Nevada Revised Statutes § 493.112 — Unmanned aerial vehicles: Operation by law enforcement agency; warrant required under certain circumstances; information acquired in violation of section inadmissible and may not be used to establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 493.112. Unmanned aerial vehicles: Operation by law enforcement agency; warrant required under certain circumstances; information acquired in violation of section inadmissible and may not be used to establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause
deemed to otherwise prohibit the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle by a law
enforcement agency for any lawful purpose in this State. 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a law enforcement agency shall not
operate an unmanned aerial vehicle for the purpose of gathering evidence or other
information within the curtilage of a residence or at any other location or upon any
property in this State at which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy,
unless the law enforcement agency first obtains a warrant from a court of competent
jurisdiction authorizing the use of the unmanned aerial vehicle for that purpose. A warrant authorizing the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle must specify the period
for which operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle is authorized. A warrant must not authorize the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle for a period
of more than 10 days. Upon motion and a showing of probable cause, a court may renew a warrant after the
expiration of the period for which the warrant was initially issued. 3. A law enforcement agency may operate an unmanned aerial vehicle without obtaining
a warrant issued pursuant to subsection 2: (a) If the law enforcement agency has probable cause to believe that a person has
committed a crime, is committing a crime or is about to commit a crime, and exigent
circumstances exist that make it unreasonable for the law enforcement agency to obtain
a warrant authorizing the use of the unmanned aerial vehicle. (b) If a person provides written consent to the law enforcement agency authorizing
the law enforcement agency to acquire information about the person or the real or
personal property of the person. The written consent must specify the information to be gathered and the time, place
and manner in which the information is to be gathered by the law enforcement agency. (c) For the purpose of conducting search and rescue operations for persons and property
in distress. (d) Under circumstances in which the law enforcement agency believes that an imminent
threat exists to the life and safety of an individual person or to the public at large,
including, without limitation, the threat of an act of terrorism. A law enforcement agency that operates an unmanned aerial vehicle pursuant to this
paragraph shall document the factual basis for its belief that such an imminent threat
exists and shall, not later than 2 business days after initiating operation, file
a sworn statement with a court of competent jurisdiction describing the nature of
the imminent threat and the need for the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle. (e) Upon the declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the Governor. A law enforcement agency that operates an unmanned aerial vehicle pursuant to this
paragraph shall not use the unmanned aerial vehicle outside of the geographic area
specified in the declaration or for any purpose other than the preservation of public
safety, the protection of property, or the assessment and evaluation of environmental
or weather-related damage, erosion or contamination. 4. Any photograph, image, recording or other information that is acquired by a law
enforcement agency through the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle in violation
of this section, or that is acquired from any other person or governmental entity,
including, without limitation, a public agency and any department or agency of the
Federal Government, that obtained the photograph, image, recording or other information
in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of this section, and any evidence that
is derived therefrom: (a) Is not admissible in and must not be disclosed in a judicial, administrative or
other adjudicatory proceeding; and (b) May not be used to establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause as the basis
for investigating or prosecuting a crime or offense. 5. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a law enforcement agency shall
not operate, purchase or acquire any unmanned aerial vehicle or other equipment or
service relating to the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle in violation of the
regulations adopted by the Department pursuant to subsection 6 of NRS 493.118 . A law enforcement agency may operate or use an unmanned aerial vehicle or other
equipment or service relating to the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle that
was purchased or acquired before the effective date of the regulations adopted by
the Department pursuant to subsection 6 of NRS 493.118 .
Source: official Nevada text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada § 493.112
What does Nevada Revised Statutes § 493.112 cover?
Section 493.112 ("Unmanned aerial vehicles: Operation by law enforcement agency; warrant required under certain circumstances; information acquired in violation of section inadmissible and may not be used to establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause") is part of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Nevada. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Nevada § 493.112?
A common citation format is "Nevada Revised Statutes § 493.112" (Nevada). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Nevada law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Nevada official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Nevada attorney.
How does Nevada § 493.112 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Nevada can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Nevada.