Dallas, TX Privacy & Surveillance: Security Camera Rules (2026)

Residential security cameras are legal in Dallas under Texas law. Cameras monitoring your own property—front yard, backyard, driveway, and perimeter—are permitted without restriction. Texas Penal Code §21.15 (Invasive Visual Recording) makes it illegal to intentionally photograph or record video of a person without consent in a private area where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Avoid aiming cameras directly at neighbors' windows or enclosed private spaces. Dallas has a specific commercial camera requirement under Section 12B-14 of the City Code, which requires certain commercial establishments (convenience stores, late-night retailers, sexually oriented businesses) to install and maintain surveillance camera systems with video recording and storage capabilities. This requirement does not apply to residential properties. The Dallas Police Department's iWatch Dallas program encourages residents to report suspicious activity and may request access to private camera footage during investigations. Texas law does not require signage for residential cameras, but visible cameras serve as effective deterrents.