Privacy & Surveillance in Washington (2026)
12 rules on the books across Washington, 10 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.
Pierce County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Pierce County, a home security camera counts as an "alarm system" under PCC 8.64.010.J once it's set…
Read full rule →Lewis County
Light RestrictionsIn Lewis County's Major Industrial Development (MID) zone, which covers reclaimed surface coal mine sites approved for…
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.
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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