Privacy & Surveillance in Washington (2026)
11 rules on the books across Washington, 9 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.
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.
Seattle
Heavy RestrictionsWashington is a two-party (all-party) consent state under RCW 9.73.030. Recording any private conversation without…
Read full rule →Edmonds
Significant RestrictionsECC 5.42.030 adopts Washington's privacy act, RCW 9.73.010 through 9.73.100, as local law, making it a crime to…
Read full rule →Federal Way
Significant RestrictionsFederal Way adopts Washington's all-party consent law, RCW 9.73.030, by reference in FWRC 6.55.030. Recording a private…
Read full rule →Kent
Significant RestrictionsWashington requires all-party consent before recording a private conversation or call, and Kent enforces that rule…
Read full rule →Facial Recognition Ban
City bans on government use of facial-recognition technology, scope (police vs other agencies), exceptions (e.g., still-image post-incident review), and enforcement.
Bellingham
Heavy RestrictionsBellingham law bars the city and its officials, including the police department, from acquiring, using, storing, or…
Read full rule →King County
Heavy RestrictionsKing County administrative offices and executive departments are banned from obtaining, retaining, accessing or using…
Read full rule →Kirkland
Heavy RestrictionsKirkland bans its own government from using facial recognition technology outright. City officials and employees cannot…
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.
Seattle
Significant RestrictionsBefore Seattle Police or any city department can acquire an automated license plate reader or similar surveillance…
Read full rule →King County
Some RestrictionsKing County treats license-plate-reader data as personal information and bars county agencies and contractors from…
Read full rule →Snohomish County
Some RestrictionsSnohomish County requires a Type C11 right-of-way use permit before anyone places a license plate reader or other data…
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