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Arizona Video Recording Laws: Rules for Cameras and Filming

Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 15, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 15, 2026. · 7 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content

Arizona Video Recording Laws: Rules for Cameras and Filming

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to video record someone in Arizona without their consent?

It depends on where the recording takes place. In public areas, you can freely video record anyone without consent. In private locations like bathrooms, locker rooms, and bedrooms, secret video recording is a felony under ARS 13-3019. For video with audio in private settings, one-party consent rules under ARS 13-3005 apply.

Can I install security cameras at my Arizona home?

Yes. Arizona homeowners can install security cameras on their own property. However, cameras should not be pointed into areas where neighbors have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as looking into bedroom windows. Audio capture through security cameras follows one-party consent rules.

Is it illegal to fly a drone with a camera in Arizona?

Flying a camera-equipped drone is legal in Arizona, but you must follow FAA regulations and Arizona state law. Under ARS 13-3729, it is illegal to use a drone to intentionally photograph or loiter near a critical facility (such as a power plant, water treatment facility, courthouse, or jail) in furtherance of a criminal offense, or to operate a drone in a way that interferes with law enforcement or emergency response operations.

What is the penalty for secretly filming someone in a private location in Arizona?

Secretly filming someone in a bathroom, locker room, bedroom, or other private location is a Class 5 felony under ARS 13-3019, punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison. If the recording is distributed and the victim is recognizable, it becomes a Class 4 felony with up to 3.75 years in prison.

Can I film police officers in Arizona?

Yes. The First Amendment protects your right to record police officers performing their duties in public, as confirmed by Fordyce v. City of Seattle, 55 F.3d 436 (9th Cir. 1995), and Askins v. DHS, 899 F.3d 1035 (9th Cir. 2018). Arizona's HB 2319 eight-foot buffer was permanently enjoined by stipulated injunction in Arizona Broadcasters Ass'n v. Mayes (D. Ariz. July 21, 2023), not struck down on the merits.

Updates

Fixed a dead link on the page's HB 2394 deepfake-law citation, replaced a literal unfilled placeholder with the TAKE IT DOWN Act's actual public law number (Pub. L. No. 119-12), and replaced a dead, mislabeled Rules-of-Evidence citation with a link to the Arizona Supreme Court's rules portal.

Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes

Corrected ARS 13-3019 felony classifications (device-based surreptitious recording is a Class 5 felony, not Class 6) and corrected ARS 13-3729's drone provisions, which restrict photographing/loitering near critical facilities and interfering with emergency operations, not photographing individuals on private property.

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Corrected HB 2319 framing to stipulated injunction in Arizona Broadcasters Ass'n v. Mayes (D. Ariz. July 21, 2023). Added Fordyce v. Seattle and Askins v. DHS as controlling 9th Circuit authority. Added AI [deepfake](/us-laws/deepfake-laws) section covering HB 2394 (ARS 16-1023, signed May 21 2024) and [TAKE IT DOWN Act](/us-laws/take-it-down-act) (signed May 19 2025, effective May 19 2026).

Reviewed and approved by an editor

Sources and References

  1. Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3019 - Surreptitious Photographing, Videotaping, Filming(azleg.gov).gov
  2. Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1424 - Voyeurism Classification(azleg.gov).gov
  3. Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3005 - Interception of Communications(azleg.gov).gov
  4. Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3729 - Unmanned Aircraft(azleg.gov).gov
  5. FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)(faa.gov).gov
  6. Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3732 - Recording of Law Enforcement Activity(azleg.gov).gov
  7. Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1502 - Criminal Trespass(azleg.gov).gov
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