Federal Way, WA Privacy & Surveillance: Security Camera Rules (2026)

In unincorporated King County, homeowners and businesses may install security cameras on their property. Video-only recording of areas visible from public vantage points — driveways, front porches, yards, building exteriors — is generally legal without consent requirements. However, Washington State is one of the strictest two-party consent states in the nation under RCW 9.73.030, which prohibits intercepting or recording any private conversation without the consent of all parties participating. This has major implications for security cameras: any camera with audio enabled that captures private conversations requires the consent of everyone being recorded. Simply posting a sign may not be sufficient to establish consent under Washington law — the statute requires actual consent, not merely notice. RCW 9.73.030 applies to both in-person and electronic communications. Washington courts have interpreted 'private conversation' broadly. If two people are talking on a sidewalk in front of your home, their conversation may be considered private even though they are in a publicly visible location. Video recording without audio does not fall under RCW 9.73.030, but Washington's invasion of privacy laws (RCW 9.73.090) prohibit recording in areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This includes bathrooms, bedrooms, and areas screened by fences. Best practice in King County: disable audio on outdoor security cameras unless you have explicit consent from all parties who may be recorded, or use cameras that only activate audio when you are present and participating in a conversation.