Home Security Camera Laws

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Summary

In Sacramento County, California, you can mount security cameras for security purposes, but they must not invade your neighbors privacy. If the camera captures areas where your neighbor has an expectation of privacy, such as their backyard or inside their home, it could lead to legal issues. Dummy cameras can also cause disputes if perceived as real. California requires two-party consent for audio recordings, but video recordings generally do not need consent unless they invade privacy. Consult a local attorney for precise guidance.

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How would it invade privacy?
A camera could invade privacy if it records areas where your neighbor has an expectation of privacy, like inside their home or backyard. This could potentially lead to legal issues under California's invasion of privacy laws.
What if it was a dummy camera?
A dummy camera could still potentially create an issue if your neighbor perceives it as a real camera and feels their privacy is invaded. Legal disputes can arise from perceived as well as actual invasions of privacy.
If I can keep the view to just the top of the fence and not too much in her yard, is that ok?
As long as the camera doesn't capture areas where your neighbor expects privacy, like their backyard or inside their home, it should be fine. However, disputes can get complex, so it's best to consult with a local attorney.
It would be just our yard in the corner, looking down at the ultrasonic dog cannons.
From a legal standpoint, if the camera only captures your yard and the ultrasonic dog cannons without intruding into your neighbor's privacy, it should be acceptable. However, to avoid any potential legal issues, it's recommended to consult with a local attorney.
Do both parties have to give their consent to be video recorded or is that just audio recored?
In California, video recording laws differ from audio recording laws. For video, consent isn't generally required unless it invades someone's reasonable expectation of privacy. For audio, California is a two-party consent state, requiring consent from all parties involved. Consult a local attorney for exact details.