Skip to main content

Outdoor surveillance laws you need to know

If you’re considering placing an outdoor surveillance system around your home, you should invest some time learning home security camera laws and surveillance laws pertaining to you and your property. Your first priority is to keep your home safe, of course, though there are a few laws that you need to be aware of so  you can ensure you are surveilling your property legally.

Local laws and restrictions

Before you purchase or install your new home security system, you need to cross-reference your federal, state, and county laws to ensure you are following proper protocol. Local laws can differ between states and counties, so it’s important to double-check local security standards before implementing your new security system.

National law

National law for the United States is fairly broad, though it is still important to understand their regulations when it comes to surveillance cameras.

home security camera in backyard
Photographicss/Shutterstock

Expectation of privacy

One of the main things you need to know about outdoor surveillance in the U.S. is the expectation of privacy. The national government considers home surveillance a legal action so long as you respect the privacy of others.

For example, the government does not agree with audio and video recording in bathrooms, locker rooms, hotel rooms, or bedrooms. These spaces tend to be private for sole occupants and users and are not regarded as places where surveillance footage would be an acceptable argument under the law.

To make this rule a bit more practical for the average homeowner, your neighbor’s house would be considered a private space where recorded footage may not be viable in court. Your outdoor security camera can’t point directly at your neighbor’s house or “peer” through a window as this is an invasion of privacy. The best way to point your outdoor camera is so the camera focuses only on the front yards and/or driveways of yours and your neighbor’s homes as these outdoor spaces are considered public. 

Video and audio are not the same

The national government doesn’t recognize video and audio as being the same. For example, hidden recording devices are discouraged in the U.S. Often, hidden recording devices are used expressly for blackmail or gaining confessions. Since there is no consent for these recordings, the audio footage is not accepted in a court of law. 

Of course, you should always check with local law to determine the details regarding public and private audio recording as municipalities differ from one another.

hidden home security camera in plant
Sergey Privalov/Shutterstock

Hidden cameras

Hidden cameras and other sources of video footage are entirely separate from the rules of hidden audio footage. Generally, hidden cameras are acceptable inside and outside your home. Many people put hidden cameras in garden bushes or around decorative porch pieces to keep them from being noticed. 

There is no need to gain consent from others for silent video footage so long as you obey the expectation for privacy. You can have a hidden camera on your porch as long as it is not aimed at a neighbor’s house. Or, you can have a nanny cam in your home so long as it isn’t in the bathroom, bedroom, or space where there is an expectation of privacy.

Editors' Recommendations

Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
Do you need primer every time you paint? Well … it’s complicated
Here's when you should use primer and when you can skip it
Woman painting

The question of whether to prime before painting seems as old as, well, painting itself. The answer seems to be different depending on who you talk to. Paint manufacturers say "yes" — it is an essential wall painting technique — because they want the best possible surface for the paint to shine. Do-it-yourself (DIY) fans seem less thrilled about the process, mostly because it takes more time and money.

So, do you need primer when you paint? The reality is that not every painting project is the same, and the answer is not a clear-cut one.

Read more
6 times you should absolutely choose an eggshell paint finish
Is eggshell paint the perfect finish for your project? Here is when the answer is 'yes'
Couple posing with paint rollers in front of painted white wall

A home remodel is always an exciting project. It's a thrill to be able to reimagine a room and give it a modern, stylish facelift that matches your interior design vision perfectly. Part of the remodeling process, however, is the inevitable task of repainting the space.

While picking out a paint color and a paint brand may seem like a simple choice, there are a lot of variables to consider. One variable is the type of paint finish you need for the space. There are so many varieties of paint finishes -- including matte, flat, high-gloss, and eggshell -- all with different appearances and benefits. To help you out, we're going to discuss six scenarios when you should definitely go with an eggshell paint finish.
What is eggshell paint and why is it unique?
Among all the types of paint finishes, there are a few things that make eggshell stand out. The level of glossy reflectiveness it gives off, also known as its "sheen," is moderate, somewhere between the low-gloss finish of flat paints and the super reflective sheen of high or semi-gloss paint. This means eggshell paint can offer the best of both worlds: It covers imperfections on the surface well, similar to flat paint, but it also brings a bit more color depth, much like higher-gloss finishes.

Read more
How often should you water new sod? What you need to know
Taking care of your new sod is an investment
Lawn sprinkler

If you need a new lawn quickly, sod is definitely the way to go. Unfortunately, it’s not cheap. Professional installation of just 500 square feet of sod, an area slightly smaller than two parking spaces, typically costs upward of $750 for materials and labor. Even then, most landscapers can't guarantee a healthy and flourishing lawn. If it dies, you have to pay even more to replace it. With that kind of investment on the line, give your lawn the care it needs to grow. All it takes is water and a little bit of patience. 
What you will need to water your sod
If you don’t have an in-ground sprinkler system, you will need the following equipment:

Garden hose(s) long enough to reach the entire sodded area
Hose-end lawn sprinkler(s) of your choice
Several rain gauges
Hose "Y" or manifold splitter (optional)
Hose timer/automatic shutoff (optional)

Read more