Perth Amboy, NJ Privacy & Surveillance: Security Camera Rules (2026)

Chapter 364 (Security Systems, Voluntary Registry) was adopted by the Council of the City of Perth Amboy on 5-10-2023 by Ord. No. 2087-2023. It applies to any person who operates, maintains or owns a private outdoor security camera system designed to capture footage of an area outside the residence or business. The chapter defines a covered system as a device installed outside a residence or business that captures video of an area outside it for security purposes.

The program is a registry, not a permit. Under § 364-3, a person who owns a residence or business in the City of Perth Amboy can register cameras with the Perth Amboy Police Department on a form approved by the Chief of Police. The code says plainly that registration is not required by the chapter and does not waive any rights under the United States or New Jersey Constitutions.

The registry form collects seven items: the name of the camera owner or person with access; current contact information including street address and telephone number; the street address where the cameras are installed; the number of cameras; the outdoor areas they record; how the footage is saved or stored and for how long; and anything else the Chief of Police adds to the form.

Section 364-4 controls what happens to that information. It is for the exclusive use of law enforcement officials investigating criminal activity near the camera location. It is not a public record under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. or common law, and it cannot be obtained by anyone except on a grand jury subpoena or a court order in a criminal matter. The Police Department, or any state, county or municipal law enforcement agency, can contact a registrant to ask for footage that could help an investigation. A registrant does not have to hand footage over unless the registrant chooses to. No fee is charged, a registrant can remove or change information by writing to the Chief of Police, and the Department verifies and updates registry information as the Chief deems necessary.