Privacy & Surveillance in Texas (2026)
26 rules on the books across Texas, 18 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Security Camera Rules
Rules about where residential security cameras can point, whether they can record neighbors' property, audio recording consent requirements, and HOA restrictions on camera placement.
Laredo
Significant RestrictionsLaredo doesn't regulate ordinary home security cameras, but Sec. 14-3(b)(8) forces owners of multifamily properties…
Read full rule →Bryan
Some RestrictionsBryan requires convenience stores to install and operate a video or digital recording system covering sales areas…
Read full rule →Celina
Some RestrictionsNew residential and multi-family subdivisions in Celina must install security cameras at community entrances as a…
Read full rule →Plano
Some RestrictionsPlano requires every registered short-term rental to have an outdoor video monitoring device for security, placed…
Read full rule →Austin
Few RestrictionsAustin has no specific ordinance regulating residential security cameras. Texas law permits video recording on your own…
Read full rule →Bexar County
Few RestrictionsResidential security cameras are legal in Bexar County without a permit. Texas allows video recording on your property…
Read full rule →Fort Worth
Few RestrictionsFort Worth has no specific ordinance regulating residential security cameras. Texas law permits recording video on your…
Read full rule →Garland
Few RestrictionsGarland has no ordinance restricting home security cameras. Texas law allows recording of what's visible from your…
Read full rule →Harris County
Few RestrictionsSecurity cameras on private property are legal in Harris County. Texas is a one-party consent state for recording…
Read full rule →Houston
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for audio recording under Texas Penal Code Section 16.02. Video surveillance on your…
Read full rule →Irving
Few RestrictionsTexas law permits security cameras on your own property. Cameras must not record areas where people have a reasonable…
Read full rule →Tarrant County
Few RestrictionsResidential security cameras are legal in Tarrant County without a permit. Texas law allows recording video on your…
Read full rule →Recording & Consent Laws
State and local laws about recording audio and video, one-party vs two-party consent requirements, and when recordings can be used as evidence in disputes.
Garland
Some RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state: you can record a conversation you are part of. Recording others without consent may…
Read full rule →Bexar County
Light RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for audio recording. Only one party to a conversation must consent. Video recording…
Read full rule →Houston
Light RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for recording under Texas Penal Code Section 16.02. You may record a conversation if…
Read full rule →Tarrant County
Light RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for audio recording. Only one party to a conversation must consent. Video recording…
Read full rule →Austin
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for audio recording (TX Penal Code §16.02). Video recording in public is legal…
Read full rule →Dallas
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state. You may legally record a conversation if you are a party to it or have consent from…
Read full rule →Dallas County
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state. Under Texas Penal Code §16.02, only one party to a conversation must consent to…
Read full rule →El Paso
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for recording conversations. Under Texas Penal Code §16.02, only one party to a…
Read full rule →Fort Worth
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for audio recording (TX Penal Code §16.02). Video recording in public is legal…
Read full rule →Harris County
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state under Texas Penal Code §16.02. You may legally record a conversation if you are a…
Read full rule →Irving
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state for audio recording. Video recording in public spaces is legal. Invasive visual…
Read full rule →San Antonio
Few RestrictionsTexas is a one-party consent state. You may legally record a conversation if you are a party to it or have consent from…
Read full rule →License Plate Readers
Rules governing automated license plate readers (ALPR) operated by police and HOAs, including data-retention limits, sharing restrictions, and audit requirements.
Odessa
Some RestrictionsOdessa police run a citywide Flock Safety license plate camera network that deletes non-hit data after 30 days and…
Read full rule →Round Rock
Some RestrictionsRound Rock police run 30 Flock Safety cameras approved by council in 2022, with data auto-deleted after 30 days and…
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