Oregon is a beautiful state. But it also has the second-highest property crime rate in the Pacific Northwest. That’s why so many homeowners are turning to security cameras. And honestly, that makes total sense.
But before you mount a camera on your porch, you need to know the rules. Oregon has some specific laws that catch people off guard. This guide breaks it all down in plain English.
What Are Home Security Camera Laws?
Home security camera laws tell you where you can legally place cameras, what you can record, and when you need someone’s permission. They protect both you and the people around you.
Oregon’s rules come from two main laws. One covers video recording. The other covers audio recording. They work differently. You need to understand both.
Are Security Cameras Legal in Oregon?
Yes, security cameras are completely legal in Oregon. You have every right to protect your home. But how you use them matters a lot.
The key question is always this: does the person being recorded have a “reasonable expectation of privacy”? That phrase is the heart of Oregon’s camera laws. Keep it in mind as you read on.
Where You Can Legally Point Your Camera
Okay, this is the part most people want to know first.
Your own property: You can record anywhere on your own property. Your driveway, front yard, backyard, and garage are all fair game.
Streets and sidewalks: Yes, you can point cameras at the street or sidewalk in front of your home. Oregon law says there’s no privacy expectation in areas visible to the public with normal vision. Point away.
Your neighbor’s house (sort of): This one’s tricky, honestly. There are no Oregon laws that specifically ban cameras pointed at a neighbor’s home. A doorbell camera that captures part of your neighbor’s driveway? Probably fine. But if you have a second-story camera aimed directly into their backyard? That gets harder to defend.
Neighbor’s bedroom or bathroom windows: Hard stop. You cannot point a camera into a neighbor’s bedroom or bathroom. This would likely violate ORS 163.700, Oregon’s invasion of personal privacy law. Don’t do it.
The rule is simple: if someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy in that space, your camera shouldn’t be capturing it.
The Two Big Oregon Laws You Must Know
ORS 163.700 — Invasion of Personal Privacy (Second Degree)
This is the main law to know. It makes it illegal to record someone’s “intimate areas” without their consent when they’re in a place where they expect privacy. Intimate areas include nudity and undergarments.
Think bathrooms, bedrooms, dressing rooms, locker rooms. Basically anywhere a person reasonably expects not to be filmed.
Wondering if this applies to your setup? Ask yourself: would a reasonable person expect privacy in the area my camera sees? If yes, keep the camera pointed elsewhere.
ORS 163.700 — What Counts as a Violation?
You break this law when you knowingly record someone in a state of nudity without their consent and they’re somewhere they expected privacy. Hidden cameras in private spaces are the clearest example.
This applies to your own home too. You cannot place hidden cameras in a bathroom or bedroom that guests, tenants, or family members use.
The Audio Recording Rule Is Different
Hold on, this part is important.
Oregon’s audio recording rules are stricter than most states. And a lot of camera owners don’t realize this until it’s too late.
Here’s how it works. Oregon has what’s called a “split consent” system.
For phone calls, only one person in the conversation needs to consent. That’s called one-party consent. Pretty standard stuff.
For in-person conversations, it’s different. Oregon requires that all participants be told their conversation is being recorded. You don’t need their permission. But you must inform them. This is covered under ORS 165.540.
So if your doorbell camera records video only, no issues. But if it also captures audio of conversations happening on your porch or in your yard? You technically need to let people know they’re being recorded.
A court ruling in January 2025 made this even clearer. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Oregon’s notification requirement. Then in October 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to that ruling. Oregon’s audio notification law is now fully settled.
Sound complicated? It’s actually not once you know the rule. Silent video is fine almost everywhere. Audio changes the equation.
Penalties for Breaking These Laws
Let’s talk about what happens if you cross the line.
Second-degree invasion of personal privacy (ORS 163.700): This is a Class A misdemeanor. You could face a fine of up to $6,250. Think of it like a serious traffic offense, but with bigger consequences.
First-degree invasion of personal privacy (ORS 163.701): This is a Class C felony. This happens when recorded images are shared or distributed. Or when the victim is under 18. A Class C felony can mean up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $125,000. The court can also designate it as a sex crime, requiring you to register as a sex offender. That’s not a small thing. Not even close.
Illegal audio recording (ORS 165.540): Recording a conversation without notifying participants is a misdemeanor. It can also open you up to civil lawsuits for damages.
A 2025 Oregon law also created a new offense for sharing recordings to harass someone. That’s a Class B misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Special Situations to Know About
HOA Communities
If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, check your CC&Rs before installing cameras. HOAs in Oregon have the legal authority to restrict camera placement on your own property. They just have to apply the rules consistently to everyone. If your HOA has camera rules, follow them or challenge them through the proper process.
Landlords and Tenants
Landlords in Oregon can install security cameras. But they come with clear limits.
Cameras are okay in common areas like hallways, parking lots, mailrooms, and building entrances. Cameras are never okay inside a tenant’s apartment or in private spaces like bathrooms. Full stop.
Tenants can also install cameras inside their own unit. They can generally point cameras at their own entry point as well. Just make sure it doesn’t damage the property or violate your lease.
If you’re a tenant and something feels off about a landlord’s cameras, document it and contact Oregon’s tenant rights resources.
Hidden Cameras
Honestly, this is the part most people miss. A lot of people assume hidden cameras are legal as long as they’re on their own property. Not always true.
If a hidden camera captures intimate areas of a guest or family member without consent in a private space, it’s a crime. It doesn’t matter whose house it is.
The golden rule: never place a hidden camera anywhere someone could reasonably expect privacy. Visible cameras in common areas of your home are almost always safer legally.
How to Set Up Your Cameras the Right Way
You’re gonna love this part. Staying legal is actually pretty simple if you follow a few steps.
First, only point cameras at areas you own or public spaces. Keep them away from windows, backyards, or fenced areas of neighboring properties.
Second, if your camera records audio, post a visible notice near your front door or entry point. Something like “Video and audio recording in use” works. It satisfies Oregon’s notification requirement.
Third, never place cameras in bathrooms, bedrooms, or other private spaces where guests or family members have a privacy expectation.
Fourth, if you live in an HOA, review your community rules before installing anything.
Fifth, if a neighbor complains about your camera angle, consider adjusting it. Even if you’re technically within the law, a small adjustment can prevent a big dispute.
Pretty straightforward, right?
What to Do If a Camera Is Pointed at You
Most people don’t know what to do when they think a neighbor’s camera is pointed at their private space. Here’s a quick guide.
Start by talking to your neighbor. Many disputes come from poor camera placement, not bad intent. A polite conversation fixes a lot of problems.
If the camera clearly captures your bedroom, bathroom, or a fenced private area, you may have a legal case under ORS 163.700. Document everything. Take photos. Note dates and times.
You can file a complaint with your local police department. You can also consult a private attorney. Oregon’s courts take privacy violations seriously.
If you’re being harassed through camera use, Oregon’s 2025 anti-doxxing and harassment law may also apply to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a security camera facing the street in Oregon?
Yes. Recording public streets and sidewalks is completely legal. There’s no expectation of privacy in public view areas.
Does my security camera need a sign in Oregon?
Signs aren’t legally required for video-only cameras. But if your camera records audio, you should post a notice so people know conversations may be recorded.
Can my neighbor legally demand I remove my camera?
No. Your neighbor cannot legally force you to remove a camera aimed at your own property or a public area. But pointing a camera at their private spaces could create legal exposure for you.
Can a landlord put cameras inside my apartment in Oregon?
No. Landlords are not allowed to place cameras inside your rental unit. Cameras in common areas like hallways and parking lots are generally permitted.
What is the penalty for recording someone without consent in Oregon?
It depends on what was recorded and what was done with it. Penalties range from a misdemeanor with fines up to $6,250 all the way to a Class C felony with up to 5 years in prison and $125,000 in fines.
Can my HOA stop me from installing a security camera?
Yes. HOAs in Oregon can restrict camera placement on your property as long as they apply the rules consistently to all homeowners.
Is it legal to record audio with my doorbell camera in Oregon?
You need to inform people that their conversation is being recorded. Oregon requires notification for in-person audio recording. A posted sign near your door is a practical way to meet this requirement.
Final Thoughts
Oregon has some of the most specific camera laws in the country. Most of the rules come down to one idea: respect other people’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
You can protect your home. You can record public spaces. You can even capture parts of your neighbors’ property in many cases. Just keep cameras away from private spaces and notify people when audio is recording.
Stay within those lines and you’ll be just fine. When in doubt, adjust the angle or consult a local attorney. A small tweak now saves a big legal headache later.
References
- ORS 163.700 — Invasion of Personal Privacy in the Second Degree: https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.700
- ORS 163.701 — Invasion of Personal Privacy in the First Degree: https://law.justia.com/codes/oregon/volume-04/chapter-163/section-163-701/
- ORS 165.540 — Oregon Recording Laws (Audio Consent): https://www.recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/oregon-recording-laws/
- Where Your Security Camera Can Legally Point in Oregon (Register-Guard / Central Oregon Daily, 2026): https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/regional/oregon-security-camera-laws-where-you-can-point/article_56fb4fee-f289-41ae-9543-8c104b420394.html
- Oregon Video Recording Laws: Surveillance, Privacy, and Consent Rules (RecordingLaw.com, 2026): https://www.recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/oregon-recording-laws/video/
- Oregon Laws on Surveillance Cameras in Apartment Common Areas (tenant-rights.com, 2025): https://tenant-rights.com/oregon/oregon-laws-on-surveillance-cameras-in-apartment-common-areas
