Riverside, CA Privacy & Surveillance: Recording & Consent Laws (2026)

California Penal Code Section 632 makes it a crime to intentionally and without the consent of all parties record any confidential communication. A 'confidential communication' is any conversation carried on in circumstances indicating that a party desires it to be confined to the parties — essentially most private, face-to-face, or phone conversations. This applies equally to residential doorbell cameras (Ring, Nest Hello), body cams, dashcams, and phone recordings. Public-setting recordings (a conversation on a busy sidewalk, at a public meeting, or in a place where participants cannot reasonably expect privacy) are not 'confidential' and can be recorded lawfully. Violations under Section 632 are punishable by up to $2,500 or one year in jail, and Section 637.2 creates a private civil cause of action for the greater of $5,000 per violation or three times actual damages. Homeowners with audio-enabled exterior cameras should disable or limit audio, or post clear 'Audio and Video Recording in Progress' signage at entry points. Video-only recording outside does not trigger Section 632.