Florida Security Camera Laws: What You Can and Cannot Record
Updated: Jul 31
We get asked this constantly, usually right after somebody has already installed a camera.
Here is the plain-English version of what Florida law allows. This is general information, not legal advice - if you have a specific dispute with a neighbor, a tenant, or an HOA, talk to a Florida attorney.
The short version
Video without audio, on your own property, pointed at areas where nobody expects privacy, is generally fine.
That covers the vast majority of what our customers install: driveways, front doors, backyards, parking lots, storefronts, warehouse floors, HOA common areas.
Two things get people in trouble. Audio, and pointing a camera at a private space.
Audio is the real risk
This is the one almost everybody gets wrong.
Florida is an all-party consent state under Florida Statute 934.03. Before you record a private conversation, everyone in it has to consent. Violating it is a third-degree felony.
Silent video does not trigger this statute at all. The moment your camera turns on its microphone, it does.
Practically, this matters most with:
Video doorbells that pick up conversations at the door or on the sidewalk
Outdoor cameras near a property line that catch the neighbors talking in their yard
Cameras in a business break room or hallway
Our standard practice is to leave audio recording off by default on residential installs unless the customer specifically asks for it and understands why. If you want audio in a business, the usual approach is posted notice and, in some cases, written consent.
Where you cannot point a camera
Florida Statute 810.145 - renamed from video voyeurism to digital voyeurism as of October 2024 - makes it a crime to secretly record someone in a place where they reasonably expect privacy.
That means no cameras in:
Bathrooms
Bedrooms
Changing areas, fitting rooms, and locker rooms
Anywhere someone would reasonably be undressed
For an adult offender this is a third-degree felony, and distributing the footage is a separate charge. This is not a gray area. We will not install a camera in one of these locations, and no reputable installer will.
Recording your neighbor
You can point a camera at your own driveway even if your neighbor's house appears at the edge of the frame. Incidental capture of a public-facing area is generally not a problem.
What causes problems:
Deliberately aiming a camera into a neighbor's window, bedroom, or fenced backyard
Using a camera to harass or follow a specific person
Mounting anything on property that is not yours
If a neighbor complains, the practical fix is usually a five-minute adjustment. Most modern cameras have privacy masking, so we can black out a section of the frame permanently. We do this on a lot of installs and it defuses the situation before it becomes a dispute.
HOAs and condo associations
Common areas - parking lots, pools, clubhouses, gates, hallways, gyms - are fair game for video. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy in a shared amenity.
Where associations need to be careful:
Audio. Same rule as everyone else. Most associations should leave it off.
Restrooms and locker rooms at the pool or gym. Never.
Footage requests. Decide in writing, before an incident, who can request footage, how long you retain it, and who is allowed to view it. Associations that figure this out during a lawsuit do it badly.
Governing documents. Your declaration or bylaws may have their own rules. Check them.
We build retention and access into the system design for every HOA we work with, because the association usually has an obligation to produce footage and no policy for how.
Landlords and rental property
You can record the exterior and common areas of a rental property. You cannot put cameras inside a unit a tenant occupies. A tenant has a reasonable expectation of privacy in their rented space, and a hidden camera in there is a criminal matter, not a lease dispute.
If you are furnishing a short-term rental, disclose every camera on the property in writing, and never place one indoors. Most platforms require this anyway.
Businesses and employees
You can record the sales floor, warehouse, entrances, and parking areas.
Avoid restrooms and changing areas, obviously. Break rooms are a judgment call - video may be defensible, audio is where the risk is. Post signage. It is good practice, and it strengthens your position if anything is ever challenged.
Do you need a permit?
Not for the cameras themselves in most cases. But low voltage work in Florida requires a licensed contractor, and some municipalities require a permit depending on scope, especially for commercial and multi-family work.
Ask any installer for their state license number before they touch your property. Ours is EG13000794, and you can look it up on the DBPR website.
The five-minute checklist
Audio off unless you have a specific reason and have thought it through
No cameras aimed at bathrooms, bedrooms, or changing areas
Privacy masking on anything that catches a neighbor's private space
Signage posted at business and HOA properties
Written policy for who can pull footage and how long you keep it
Licensed installer
Questions about your setup?
If you are not sure whether your system is set up correctly, we will take a look. Call (954) 573-9193 or fill out the form below. We serve Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
HD Smart Solutions - licensed Florida low voltage contractor, License # EG13000794.
This page is general information about Florida law and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Florida attorney about your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to record video in Florida without consent?
Silent video in areas where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy is generally legal. Audio is different - Florida requires consent from all parties under Statute 934.03.
Can I record audio on my security cameras in Florida?
Only with the consent of everyone recorded. Florida is an all-party consent state. Most homeowners should leave audio off.
Can my neighbor point a camera at my house?
Incidentally capturing part of your property is generally allowed. Deliberately aiming into your windows or fenced private areas is not.
Can an HOA put cameras in common areas?
Yes. Parking lots, pools, gates, hallways and clubhouses are common areas with no expectation of privacy. Restrooms and locker rooms are off limits, and audio should generally be disabled.
Can a landlord put cameras in a rental property?
Exterior and common areas, yes. Inside an occupied unit, no.
Do I need a permit for security cameras in Florida?
Usually not for the cameras themselves, but the work must be done by a licensed low voltage contractor, and some cities require permits for commercial or multi-family installs.