License Plate Readers: San Diego vs San Marcos
How do license plate readers rules compare between San Diego, CA and San Marcos, CA?
San Diego, CA
San Diego County
San Diego Police Department deploys automated license plate readers across patrol cars and select fixed locations. The 2022 TRUST Ordinance (SDMC §210) and California SB-34 require Council approval, written use policies, and annual public reports on ALPR data retention and sharing.
View full San Diego rules →San Marcos, CA
San Diego County
No data available yet for San Marcos.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Diego | San Marcos |
|---|---|---|
| Local oversight | TRUST Ordinance §210 | - |
| State statute | Civil Code §1798.90.5 | - |
| Operator | San Diego Police Department | - |
| Reporting | Annual public report | - |
| Adopted | TRUST 2022 | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Diego FAQ
Does San Diego use license plate readers?
Yes. SDPD operates ALPR cameras on patrol vehicles and at fixed sites, governed by the 2022 TRUST Ordinance and California SB-34, which require Council-approved policies and annual public reporting.
Can I find out what ALPR collects on my car?
You can submit a Public Records Act request to SDPD, but operational ALPR hits in active investigations may be withheld. Annual TRUST reports describe aggregate retention, scan volume, and third-party sharing.
San Marcos FAQ
No FAQs available.
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