Privacy & Surveillance in San Francisco, CA (2026)
3 verified privacy & surveillance rules for San Francisco, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Security Camera Rules
San Francisco has additional surveillance oversight beyond state law. The 2019 Surveillance Technology Ordinance bans city agencies from using facial recognition. Private cameras are legal but California's two-party audio consent law (PC §632) applies.
Security Camera Laws in San Francisco
Some RestrictionsRecording & Consent Laws
California is a two-party (all-party) consent state. Recording private conversations without all parties' consent is a criminal offense under CA Penal Code §632. Video in public is legal. SF has additional surveillance oversight laws.
Recording Laws in San Francisco (California)
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code Section 632
632. (a) A person who, intentionally and without the consent of all parties to a confidential communication, uses an electronic amplifying or recording device to eavesdrop upon or record the confidential communication, whether the communication is carried on among the parties in the presence of one another or by means of a telegraph, telephone, or other device, except a radio, shall be punished...
Privacy Screening
San Francisco allows privacy fences up to 6 feet in rear yards and 3 feet in front yards. Fences over 6 feet require a building permit from DBI. Section 311 neighborhood notification may apply to fence permits in some cases.