California Penal Code §632 requires two-party consent for confidential audio recording. Santa Clara County doorbell-camera owners may legally record video of visitors but must avoid recording private audio conversations without disclosure or consent.
California's two-party consent rule under Penal Code §632 prohibits recording confidential communications without the consent of all parties. Doorbell cameras like Ring, Nest, and Arlo capture both video and audio, so owners in Santa Clara County must use audio-disabling settings or post a clear sign at the entry to give legal notice. Video recording of visitors at the front door is generally permissible because there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in plain sight. Recording adjacent neighbors' private spaces, such as windows or back yards, can give rise to civil-invasion-of-privacy claims under Civil Code §1708.8. Sharing footage with police is voluntary unless a warrant or subpoena is issued.
Illegal audio recording is a misdemeanor under Penal Code §632 punishable by up to one year in jail and statutory damages of $5,000 per violation in civil court. Surveillance of neighbors' protected spaces can also trigger a §1708.8 invasion-of-privacy claim.
See how Palo Alto's doorbell camera disclosures rules stack up against other locations.
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