Security Camera Laws by State (2025): The Essential Guide
⚠️ NOT legal advice! Laws change, and local rules/court decisions can add nuance. When in doubt, speak with an attorney and review the cited primary guides.
Before we dive into the security camera laws by state list, a few bedrock rules show up nearly everywhere in the U.S.:
- Audio vs. video are treated differently. Audio recording is governed by state “wiretapping/eavesdropping” statutes. A minority of states require all-party consent; most are one-party consent. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) and Justia maintain reliable state-by-state summaries.
- “Private places” are off-limits for video. Bathrooms, locker/changing rooms, and similar areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy are generally prohibited for cameras. Federal law also criminalizes “video voyeurism” in federal jurisdictions (18 U.S.C. §1801).
- Signage is often recommended (and sometimes necessary to help establish consent for audio), but rarely mandated by statute for silent video in non-private areas. Always check sector-specific rules (e.g., schools, housing, workplaces).
- All-party consent states (audio). As a quick reference, about 11 states primarily require all parties to consent: CA, DE, FL, IL, MD, MA, MI (at least for third-party recordings), MT, NH, PA, WA. Others are generally one-party (with a few states having special rules by context or medium).
Below is a practical, business-friendly guide to security camera laws. For each state, we note Audio consent, Signage, Placement & views, and Other notes you should consider for compliant deployment.
Alabama Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Recommended when recording audio.
Placement & views: No recording in private places; aim cameras to avoid bedrooms/bathrooms.
Other: Be mindful of common-law privacy/tort claims.
Alaska Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Best practice if any audio capture.
Placement & views: Avoid private areas; minimize capture beyond your premises.
Other: Check lease/HOA rules in multifamily housing.
Arizona Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Recommended for audio.
Placement & views: No cameras in places of undress; keep angles proportional to security need.
Other: Tort/privacy exposure if cameras are used to harass.
Arkansas Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Helpful for notice/consent.
Placement & views: No private-place filming; limit zoom into neighboring property.
Other: Document security purpose.
California Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent (Cal. Penal Code §632).
Signage: Strongly recommended if audio is active; obtain explicit consent.
Placement & views: Prohibit cameras in bathrooms/changing rooms; be cautious in employee areas with high privacy expectations.
Other: CA privacy laws raise stakes for data retention/disclosure.
Colorado Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Recommended for audio capture.
Placement & views: Private-place bans; avoid intrusive angles.
Other: Consider local ordinances in Denver/Boulder.
Connecticut Security Camera Laws
Audio: Mixed rules (generally all-party for electronic recordings; one-party for in-person).
Signage: Use posted/audio notices to satisfy “all-party” in phone/VoIP contexts.
Placement & views: Keep cameras out of private places; special care in workplaces.
Other: Employer monitoring rules may require notice.
Delaware Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent under state law; court decisions create nuance—treat as all-party in practice.
Signage: Post clear audio-recording notices.
Placement & views: No private-place filming.
Other: Retention policies should be written.
Florida Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent.
Signage: Prominent audio notice; get verbal/written consent where feasible.
Placement & views: Private-place prohibitions; be careful in residential common areas.
Other: Civil and criminal exposure for unlawful interception.
Georgia Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Recommended if audio.
Placement & views: Avoid private places; limit view into neighbors’ windows.
Other: Keep a retention & access policy.
Hawaii Security Camera Laws
Audio: Generally one-party; two-party needed if a device is installed in a private place.
Signage: Post notice when audio is active, especially in semi-private settings.
Placement & views: No private-place recording.
Other: Tourism/hospitality venues should train staff on guest privacy.
Idaho Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Advisable for audio.
Placement & views: Keep out of private areas; avoid invasive zoom.
Other: Review school or childcare rules if applicable.
Illinois Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent for private conversations.
Signage: Clear audio notice; obtain consent.
Placement & views: Maintain clear legitimate-interest rationale for cameras.
Other: Extra care with microphones in retail/office spaces.
Indiana Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Recommended if recording audio.
Placement & views: Respect private-place bans; minimize off-property capture.
Other: Consider union/workplace notice expectations.
Iowa Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Good practice for audio.
Placement & views: No restrooms/locker rooms; reasonable angles only.
Other: Document security purpose to defend against privacy claims.
Kansas Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Same general best practices as above.
Kentucky Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules; check local ordinances.
Louisiana Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Recommended for audio.
Placement & views: No private-place filming; UAS (drones) have extra restrictions for surveillance.
Other: Drone surveillance add-ons exist under state law.
Maine Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Maryland Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent.
Signage: Prominent audio notice; consent on file.
Placement & views: Private-place bans; strong privacy expectations.
Other: Schools/healthcare may have special rules.
Massachusetts Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent (covert “secret” recordings banned).
Signage: Make audio notice obvious.
Placement & views: Exclude private places.
Other: No “public place” exception to secret recording.
Michigan Security Camera Laws
Audio: Treated as all-party at least where a third party records; treat as all-party to be safe.
Signage: Audio notices and consent recommended.
Placement & views: Avoid private places.
Other: Consult counsel if relying on one-party as a participant.
Minnesota Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Mississippi Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Missouri Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Montana Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party (notification required).
Signage: Post audio notice; secure express consent.
Placement & views: Keep out of private places.
Other: Keep clear retention limits.
Nebraska Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Nevada Security Camera Laws
Audio: Often listed as all-party, but case law and context create nuances; treat as all-party to be safe.
Signage: Strongly recommended for audio.
Placement & views: Private-place bans.
Other: Hospitality venues should train staff.
New Hampshire Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent.
Signage: Prominent audio notice.
Placement & views: No private-place filming.
Other: Conservative approach advised.
New Jersey Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules; check landlord-tenant policies.
New Mexico Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
New York Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Good practice for audio and in multi-tenant buildings.
Placement & views: Exclude private areas; limit street-facing zoom.
Other: NYC/local rules may add obligations.
North Carolina Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
North Dakota Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Ohio Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Oklahoma Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Oregon Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party for electronic communications; two-party for many in-person recordings (with some court-created nuances).
Signage: Post audio notices; avoid “secret” in-person recording without consent.
Placement & views: No private-place video.
Other: Review updates before deploying mics.
Pennsylvania Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent.
Signage: Clear audio notice; secure consent.
Placement & views: Avoid private places.
Other: Criminal/civil exposure for unlawful interception.
Rhode Island Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party (consent not required when no reasonable expectation of privacy).
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules; be cautious in semi-private spaces.
South Carolina Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
South Dakota Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party when the recorder is a participant or has one participant’s consent.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Tennessee Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Texas Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage: Advise notice for audio; many businesses play a tone/IVR announcement on calls.
Placement & views: Absolutely no cameras in bathrooms/locker rooms; public-facing cameras should be proportional.
Other: State resources confirm one-party audio.
Utah Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Vermont Security Camera Laws
Audio: Historically no general wiretap statute; treat as one-party and verify local rules—use notice.
Signage/Placement/Other: Avoid private places; get explicit consent when feasible.
Virginia Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party (special evidentiary rules can apply in some civil contexts).
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Washington Security Camera Laws
Audio: All-party consent (with limited announcement exceptions).
Signage: Post clear audio notices; capture verbal consent when practical.
Placement & views: No private-place filming.
Other: Keep policies for access/retention.
West Virginia Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Wisconsin Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party for recording, but civil-court use can trigger consent issues—take a conservative approach.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Wyoming Security Camera Laws
Audio: One-party.
Signage/Placement/Other: Follow general rules.
Federal layer & “private places”
Even in one-party states, you cannot place cameras where people reasonably expect privacy (bathrooms, dressing rooms, similar areas). In federal jurisdictions (national parks/buildings, etc.) video voyeurism is a federal crime (18 U.S.C. §1801). Keep microphones off unless you have the proper consent regime in your state, and always log how and when consent was obtained.
Practical Compliance Checklist (applies in every state)
- Decide whether you need audio. If not essential, disable microphones.
- If audio is on, post signage and capture verbal/written consent where required (phones/VoIP IVR notices help).
- Keep cameras out of private places and avoid zoom angles into homes/neighboring windows.
- Write a retention & access policy, limit who can view/download footage, and secure the system.
- Re-check the rules before deploying in schools, healthcare, housing, or workplaces—sector rules can be stricter.
Security Camera Laws by State
The list above shows some states in the United States mandate the display of signs to indicate the presence of security cameras. This requirement is in place to enhance security measures and ensure compliance with state regulations. It is crucial for businesses and individuals to be aware of these regulations to avoid any potential legal issues. Certain states in the United States that require signage include California, Texas, New York, and Florida. These signs serve as a visual deterrent to potential intruders and also inform individuals that their actions may be monitored. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines or legal repercussions. Therefore, it is imperative for property owners and businesses to familiarize themselves with the specific laws in their state. By displaying these signs prominently, individuals can help deter criminal activity and maintain a secure environment. In California, for instance, businesses are required to post signs if surveillance cameras are in use, as stated in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Texas law also mandates signage for certain types of surveillance cameras, as outlined in the Texas Penal Code. In New York, the requirement for signage falls under the New York State Department of Labor regulations. Similarly, Florida statutes specify the need for signage regarding security cameras in certain establishments, such as retail stores and public buildings. It is essential for all individuals and businesses in these states to adhere to these regulations to ensure compliance with the law and protect privacy rights.
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