Updated Policy for Requesting TFRs for UAS

The FAA recently issued the attached notice which states that effective August 7, 2025, credentialed law enforcement organizations of a state, local, tribal, or territorial (SLTT) government may directly request a TFR through the FAA for large public gatherings hosted in a stadium or other venue that meet specific criteria.

7210.960_Temporary_Flight_Restrictions_for_Unmanned_Aircraft_49_USC_Section_44812.pdf

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This will provide a pathway for SLTT to submit requests directly to the FAA without Federal sponsorship. It is important to note that for high UAS risk SEAR events that do not meet the 49 U.S.C. Section 44812 criteria, the 99.7 TFR process remains the same.

Below is a snapshot of key elements from the notice as well as supplemental information pertaining to how to submit requests. More detailed information will be circulated as it becomes available.

Events Eligible for SLTT Submission

1. Large public gatherings hosted in a stadium or venue must:

   • be hosted in a stadium or venue that previously hosted events qualifying for the application of special security instructions in accordance with Public Law 108-199, section 521 (to put it simply, stadiums or venues that have hosted events qualifying for the application of a standing sporting event NOTAM - FDC NOTAM 0/0367), and the venue is not enclosed;

   • have an estimated attendance of at least 30,000 people; and

   • be advertised in the public domain.

OR

2. Large public gatherings hosted in a venue other than a stadium or other venue described above must:

   • have an estimated attendance of at least 100,000 people;  

   • be primarily outdoors;

   • have a defined and static geographical boundary; and

   • be advertised in the public domain.

How to Request

• The SLTT law enforcement agency must submit the TFR request to the appropriate Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Service Center Operations Support Group Manager not less than 30 calendar days prior to the event.

• Law enforcement agencies can visit the map on the FAA UAS UDDS website (https://udds-faa.opendata.ArcGIS.com) and use the steps below to determine their appropriate service center.

  • After opening the ArcGIS map, open the “Layers” menu and uncheck all options except for “Boundary Airspace (ARTCC)”

  • Enter the event location address in the search field

  • Zoom out to identify the applicable overlying ARTCC three letter identifier for their event location

ATO Service Centers and associated ARTCC three letter identifiers:

• Eastern (Boston ZBW, New York ZNY, Washington ZDC, Memphis ZME, Atlanta ZTL, Jacksonville ZJX, Miami ZMA, San Juan ZSU)

Submit requests to: 9-ATO-ESA-TFR-44812@faa.gov

• Central (Minneapolis ZMP, Chicago ZAU, Cleveland ZOB, Indianapolis ZID, Kansas City ZKC, Albuquerque ZAB, Fort Worth ZFW, Houston ZHU)

Submit requests to 9-ATO-CSA-TFR-44812@faa.gov

• Western (Honolulu ZHN, Anchorage ZAK, Seattle ZSE, Oakland ZOA, Salt Lake ZLC, Denver ZDV, Los Angeles ZLA)

Submit requests to 9-ATO-WSA-TFR-44812@faa.gov

NOTE – Based on requirements for other TFR requests, requestors should expect at a minimum to provide the following information: Event name, date(s), start / end time, location (address + coordinates), altitude, radius, and primary POC for the request.

Degree of Restrictions

When a NOTAM has been issued establishing a TFR under this section, no person may operate an unmanned aircraft within the TFR unless at least one of the following conditions is met:

• The Administrator authorizes the operation for operational, safety, security, or compliance oversight purposes; or

• The aircraft operation is conducted with the approval of the eligible entity who requested the TFR.

If you have questions, contact your local ATO service center..in the link below (or attached screenshot).

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/mission_support/sc