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

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, nothing in this section shall be

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.