Privacy & Surveillance in Austin, TX (2026)
2 verified privacy & surveillance rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Security Camera Rules
Austin has no specific ordinance regulating residential security cameras. Texas law permits video recording on your own property. Cameras must not record areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy per TX Penal Code §21.15. No registration required.
Security Camera Laws in Austin
Few RestrictionsTexas Penal Code Sec. 21.15 (Invasive Visual Recording)
Sec. 21.15. INVASIVE VISUAL RECORDING. (a) In this section: ... (3-a) 'Place in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy' means a place in which a reasonable person would believe that the person could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that the act of undressing would be photographed or visually recorded by another. The term includes a bathroom, bedroom, and changing room...
Recording & Consent Laws
Texas is a one-party consent state for audio recording (TX Penal Code §16.02). Video recording in public is legal. Recording private conversations without at least one party's consent is a felony. Doorbell cameras and dashcams are legal.
Recording Laws in Austin (Texas)
Few RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 16.02(c)(4) (One-Party Consent Recording)
Sec. 16.02. UNLAWFUL INTERCEPTION, USE, OR DISCLOSURE OF WIRE, ORAL, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. (c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (b) that:... (4) a person not acting under color of law intercepts a wire, oral, or electronic communication, if: (A) the person is a party to the communication; or (B) one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent ...
Looking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Privacy & Surveillance in Travis County →