Privacy & Surveillance in Tarrant County, TX (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Tarrant County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Tarrant County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Security Camera Rules

Residential security cameras are legal in Tarrant County without a permit. Texas law allows recording video on your property and publicly visible areas. Cameras must not be directed into areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy such as neighbors' bedrooms or bathrooms.

Security Camera Rules in Tarrant County

Few Restrictions

Tex. Penal Code Sec. 21.15(b), (c)

Sec. 21.15. INVASIVE VISUAL RECORDING. ... (b) A person commits an offense if, without the other person's consent and with intent to invade the privacy of the other person, the person: (1) photographs or by videotape or other electronic means records, broadcasts, or transmits a visual image of an intimate area of another person if the other person has a reasonable expectation that the intimate ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Recording & Consent Laws

Texas is a one-party consent state for audio recording. Only one party to a conversation must consent. Video recording in public spaces is legal, but recording in private areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy is a state jail felony.

Recording Laws in Tarrant County

Light Restrictions

Tex. Penal Code Sec. 16.02(c)(4)

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 con...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Privacy & Surveillance by City in Tarrant County

1 cities in Tarrant County have their own privacy & surveillance rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Fort WorthPop. 918,915

2 verified rules • Recording & Consent Laws, Security Camera Rules

All Tarrant County ordinances

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