San Francisco has additional surveillance oversight beyond state law. The 2019 Surveillance Technology Ordinance bans city agencies from using facial recognition. Private cameras are legal but California's two-party audio consent law (PC §632) applies.
San Francisco allows private residential security cameras but has unique surveillance considerations. The 2019 Surveillance Technology Ordinance (Administrative Code Chapter 19B) banned city government agencies from using facial recognition technology, making SF the first major US city with such a ban. Private residential cameras are legal. California Penal Code §647(j) prohibits voyeurism — cameras must not record areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy. California is a two-party consent state for audio recording under PC §632 — doorbell cameras that record audio of conversations may violate state law if they capture conversations without all parties' consent. Many residents disable audio recording or post notice. Cameras should not be aimed into neighbors' private spaces. No city permit or registration is required for residential cameras.
No local permit required. Audio recording violation (PC §632): up to $2,500 fine. Voyeurism (PC §647j): misdemeanor.
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See how San Francisco's security camera rules rules stack up against other locations.
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