Maine
Maine Laws on Recording in Public: Your Complete Guide (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 15, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 9, 2026. · 6 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Maine permits recording in public spaces under the First Amendment and its one-party consent law (15 M.R.S.A. section 710). You may photograph and video record freely in public. To audio record a conversation, you must be a participant; no notice to others is required.
Recording in public spaces in Maine is broadly protected by the First Amendment and state law. Whether you are documenting a public event, recording a street interaction, or capturing content for social media, understanding the legal boundaries helps you exercise your rights while respecting others' privacy.
This guide covers when and where you can legally record in public in Maine, the limits that apply even in public settings, and how public recordings are treated as evidence.
Your Right to Record in Public
First Amendment Protection
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right to record in public spaces. The First Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Maine, confirmed this right in Glik v. Cunniffe, 655 F.3d 78 (1st Cir. 2011). In Project Veritas Action Fund v. Rollins, 982 F.3d 813 (1st Cir. 2020), the First Circuit extended this protection to secret audio recording of public officials performing their duties in public spaces -- giving Maine the strongest First Amendment recording posture in the country. This protection extends to:
- Photographing and video recording on public streets and sidewalks
- Recording in parks, plazas, and other public areas
- Documenting government buildings and activities visible from public spaces
- Recording protests, demonstrations, and public events
- Filming police officers, government officials, and public employees performing their duties
Maine One-Party Consent
Maine's one-party consent law (15 M.R.S.A. section 709 and section 710) governs the audio recording component. Under this framework:
- You can audio record conversations you participate in without informing others
- You cannot record private conversations between other people that you are not part of
- Video recording without audio in public does not require consent from anyone
The Distinction Between Video and Audio
An important legal distinction exists between video and audio recording in public:
- Video recording (without audio) in public spaces is generally unrestricted. People in public have a reduced expectation of privacy regarding their appearance and actions.
- Audio recording of conversations is governed by one-party consent. You must be a party to any conversation you record, or have consent from at least one party.
This means you can freely video record a busy street scene, but you cannot use a directional microphone to capture a private conversation between two strangers at a distance.
Where You Can Record in Maine
Public Streets and Sidewalks
Public streets, sidewalks, and roads are the most clearly protected recording locations. You can:
- Film traffic, pedestrians, and street activity
- Record interactions with people who approach you
- Photograph buildings, businesses, and landmarks from the sidewalk
- Use tripods, professional cameras, and other equipment on public sidewalks (subject to local permit requirements for commercial filming)
Public Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Maine's public parks, beaches, trails, and outdoor recreation areas are open for recording. This includes:
- State parks managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
- Municipal parks and recreation areas
- Public beaches along Maine's coast
- Public hiking trails and nature areas
Some parks may have specific rules about commercial photography requiring permits, but personal recording is generally unrestricted.
Government Buildings
You can record the exterior of government buildings from public spaces. Recording inside government buildings varies:
- Open areas (lobbies, hallways, public meeting rooms) are generally open to recording
- Restricted areas (courtrooms during proceedings, secure areas, offices) may have specific rules
- Maine courtrooms follow rules set by individual judges regarding recording
Public Transportation
Recording on public transportation in Maine (buses, ferries, and transit facilities) is generally permitted. Public transit is considered a public space where riders have limited privacy expectations. However, transit authorities may post policies restricting certain types of recording.
Where Recording Is Restricted
Private Property
Private property owners in Maine can restrict recording on their premises. This includes:
- Retail stores and shopping centers
- Restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues
- Private offices and businesses
- Residential property
- Private schools and universities
If a property owner or manager asks you to stop recording and you refuse, you could be asked to leave. Remaining after being asked to leave could result in criminal trespass charges under 17-A M.R.S.A. section 402.
Areas with Privacy Expectations
Even in otherwise public buildings, some areas carry a reasonable expectation of privacy:
- Public restrooms
- Changing rooms and fitting rooms
- Medical facilities (examination areas)
- Locker rooms at public gyms and pools
Recording in these areas could violate Maine's voyeurism law (17-A M.R.S.A. section 511), which prohibits placing a camera in a location where a person expects privacy for the purpose of observing them in a state of undress or engaged in sexual activity.
Near Schools
Recording near schools is legal from public spaces, but certain behaviors could raise concerns:
- Repeatedly filming children at a school could draw law enforcement attention
- School administrators can restrict recording on school property
- Drone recording near schools may violate FAA regulations and local ordinances
Recording Public Officials and Events
Government Meetings
Maine's Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S.A. section 404) ensures public access to government meetings. Public bodies cannot prohibit recording at open meetings, including:
- Town council and selectboard meetings
- County commission meetings
- School board meetings
- Planning and zoning board hearings
- Legislative committee hearings
Public Events and Festivals
Events held in public spaces are generally open to recording. This includes:
- Parades, festivals, and fairs
- Outdoor concerts in public parks
- Farmers markets and community events
- Sporting events in public facilities
Private events held in public spaces (such as a permitted private wedding in a public park) may have limited recording restrictions within the event area, but you can still record from public spaces outside the event boundaries.
Drone Recording in Maine
Maine Drone Laws
Maine does not have a general statute banning private citizens from using drones for surveillance. The state's dedicated drone statute, 25 M.R.S. section 4501 (Chapter 551, Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), governs LAW ENFORCEMENT use of drones specifically:
- Law enforcement generally must obtain a warrant before using a drone for criminal investigative surveillance, with limited exceptions for emergencies and search-and-rescue
- Weaponizing a drone is prohibited outright
- Law enforcement cannot use a drone to surveil people who are peacefully exercising their free speech rights
- Commercial drone operators must comply with FAA Part 107 regulations
- Recreational drone operators must follow FAA safety guidelines
Private, non-law-enforcement drone surveillance of a person in a private place is not covered by a dedicated civilian drone statute. It can still be addressed through Maine's general voyeurism law (17-A M.R.S.A. section 511) and common-law privacy claims, the same as any other hidden-camera surveillance.
FAA Regulations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires drone operators to:
- Register drones weighing over 0.55 pounds
- Fly below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace
- Maintain visual line of sight
- Not fly over people or moving vehicles (with certain Part 107 waivers)
- Avoid restricted airspace near airports and other sensitive areas
Public Recordings as Evidence
Admissibility in Court
Public recordings made legally are admissible in Maine courts when properly authenticated. The offering party must show:
- The recording is genuine and unaltered
- The content is relevant to the case
- The recording accurately depicts the events captured
- For audio, one-party consent was satisfied
Common Uses
Public recordings are used as evidence in:
- Personal injury and accident cases
- Criminal prosecutions (assaults, thefts, traffic offenses)
- Civil rights violations
- Workplace disputes
- Insurance claims
Harassment and Stalking Concerns
When Recording Crosses the Line
While recording in public is generally legal, certain patterns of recording behavior can constitute harassment or stalking under Maine law:
- Harassment (17-A M.R.S.A. section 506-A): Repeated or sustained recording of a specific person with the intent to harass, torment, or threaten could constitute criminal harassment.
- Stalking (17-A M.R.S.A. section 210-A): Repeatedly following and recording someone in a manner that causes fear for their safety could be charged as stalking.
- Protection orders: A person subject to a protection order who records the protected person could violate the order's terms.
Social Media and Public Recordings
Posting public recordings on social media is generally legal, but consider:
- Recordings of children may raise concerns even if legally captured
- Recordings shared with intent to harass could support a harassment claim
- Commercial use of someone's likeness may require consent under right of publicity principles
More Maine Recording Laws
Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism Laws | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant Recording | Dashcam Laws | School Recording | Medical Recording
More Maine Recording Topics
More Maine Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record people in public in Maine without their permission?
You can video record people in public without their permission, as people in public spaces have a reduced expectation of privacy. For audio recording of conversations, Maine one-party consent law requires you to be a participant in any conversation you record. You cannot secretly record other people's private conversations.
Can I record inside a store or restaurant in Maine?
Stores and restaurants are private property. The owner or manager can set policies about recording on their premises. If asked to stop recording, you must comply or leave. Refusing to leave after being asked could result in criminal trespass charges under 17-A M.R.S.A. section 402.
Can I record a public meeting in Maine?
Yes. Maine's Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S.A. section 404) ensures public access to government meetings. Public bodies cannot prohibit recording at open meetings, including town councils, school boards, and planning boards. You can use any recording device without advance permission.
Can I fly a drone and record in public spaces in Maine?
You can fly drones in most public spaces for recording, subject to FAA regulations (registration, altitude limits, line of sight). Maine does not have a specific civilian ban on drone surveillance, but a person filming someone in a private place with a drone can still be liable under the state's voyeurism statute (17-A M.R.S.A. section 511) or common-law privacy claims. A separate statute, 25 M.R.S. section 4501, requires law enforcement to get a warrant before using drones for investigative surveillance. Always check for local drone ordinances and restricted airspace.
Can someone stop me from recording in a public park in Maine?
No. Public parks are public spaces where recording is protected by the First Amendment. Another person cannot force you to stop recording in a public park. However, if your recording targets a specific person repeatedly and causes them fear or alarm, it could cross into harassment under Maine law.
Updates
Corrected a fabricated drone-surveillance statute citation: Maine's real drone law (25 M.R.S. section 4501) regulates law-enforcement drone use with a warrant requirement, not private civilian drone surveillance, which instead falls under the general voyeurism and privacy-tort framework. Also added a working citation link for the Rollins case.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected two stale/wrong statute citations: the right to record open public meetings now cites the current 1 M.R.S.A. section 404 (repealed COVID-era section 403-A no longer applies), and Maine's one-party consent rule for audio recording now cites 15 M.R.S.A. sections 709-710 (the definition of "intercept" excludes a sender/receiver, and section 710 is the offense provision built on that definition) rather than section 712, which lists only narrow institutional exceptions unrelated to ordinary participants.
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Added Project Veritas Action Fund v. Rollins, 982 F.3d 813 (1st Cir. 2020): First Circuit extended Glik to secret audio recording of public officials in public spaces. Maine has the strongest record-the-police and public-recording posture nationally under the First Circuit.
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 15: COURT PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL, Part 2: PROCEEDINGS BEFORE TRIAL, Chapter 102: INTERCEPTION OF WIRE AND ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
§ 710OffensesIn forcecited in 17 of our articles
1. Interception, oral communications prohibited. Any person, other than an employee of a communication common carrier, a law enforcement officer, an investigative officer, another employee of the Department of Corrections authorized to exercise law enforcement powers as described in Title 34‑A, section 3011 or a jail investigative officer or a jail employee acting at the direction of a jail investigative officer, carrying out practices otherwise permitted by this chapter, who intentionally or knowingly intercepts, attempts to intercept or procures any other person to intercept or attempt to intercept any wire or oral communication is guilty of a Class C crime. 2. Editing of tape recordings in judicial proceedings prohibited. Any person who knowingly or intentionally edits, alters or tampers with any tape, transcription or other sound recording, or knows of such editing, altering or tampering, and presents that recording in any judicial proceeding or proceeding under oath, without fully indicating the nature of the changes made and the original state of the recording, is guilty of a Class C crime. 3. Disclosure or use of wire or oral communications prohibited.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 5 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Williams v. Poulos (1993) affirmed section 710(1) liability for intercepting employee calls and held section 710(3)(A) and (B) require only knowledge the information came through interception. Glenn A. Griffin v. Cristie J. Griffin (2014) allowed a parent's vicarious consent for a young child only on a good faith best-interest belief.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Glenn A. Griffin v. Cristie J. Griffin (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2014, 92 A.3d 1144)✓A father recorded his six-year-old daughter's nightly calls with her mother after overhearing abusive remarks; the court held a parent with a good faith, objectively reasonable best-interest belief may vicariously consent under section 709(4)(C), so section 710 was not violated.
- Archer v. Androscoggin County (Superior Court of Maine 2022)✓An attorney sought recordings of another inmate's jail calls under Maine's public records law; the court applied the wiretap chapter that makes interception a crime under section 710 and held a court-appointed defense lawyer is not within the section 712(4) disclosure exception.
- Williams v. Poulos (Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 1993)✓Company owners secretly recorded employee phone calls using alligator clips wired to a VCR, and their lawyers then used the tapes; the First Circuit affirmed liability under section 710, holding subsection 3 requires only knowledge that the material came from an interception.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Maine Dashcam Laws: Mounting Rules, Audio Recording, and Evidence (2026), Maine Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Cameras, Audio, and Privacy Rights (2026), Maine Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules for Cell, Landline, and VoIP (2026)
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS, Chapter 13: PUBLIC RECORDS AND PROCEEDINGS
§ 404Recorded or live broadcasts authorizedIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
In order to facilitate the public policy so declared by the Legislature of opening the public's business to public scrutiny, all persons shall be entitled to attend public proceedings and to make written, taped or filmed records of the proceedings, or to live broadcast the same, provided the writing, taping, filming or broadcasting does not interfere with the orderly conduct of proceedings. The body or agency holding the public proceedings may make reasonable rules and regulations governing these activities, so long as these rules or regulations do not defeat the purpose of this subchapter. [PL 1975, c. 758 (RPR).]
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 1998
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Fletcher v. Feeney (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1979, 400 A.2d 1084)“…declaratory judgments pursuant to 14 M.R.S.A. §§ 5951-5963; 1 M.R.S.A. § 404—A(2) provides in certain circumstances…”
- Martin v. Unemployment Insurance Commission (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1998, 723 A.2d 412)“…regulations do not defeat the purpose of this subehapter. 1 M.R.S.A. § 404 (1989). [¶ 12] The Commission respond…”
- Ethyl Corp. v. Adams (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1977, 375 A.2d 1065)“…e Chenery Decision, 21 Adm.L.Rev. 1 (1968). The impact of 1 M.R.S.A. § 404 — A, if complied with, will often be to…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Maine School Recording Laws: Student, Parent, and Teacher Rights (2026)
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14: COURT PROCEDURE -- CIVIL, Part 7: PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS, Chapter 740: UNIFORM ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS ACT
§ 8001Short titleIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
This Act may be cited as the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act. [PL 1975, c. 335 (NEW).]
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 15 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- GENUJO LOK Beteiligungs GmbH v. Zorn (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2008, 2008 Me. 50)“…Act), and the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, 14 M.R.S. §§ 8001-8008 (2007) (Enforcement Act). We affir…”
- Penkul v. Matarazzo (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2009, 983 A.2d 375)“…o the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA), 14 M.R.S. §§ 8001-8008 (2008), the Uniform Child Custody…”
- Faith Temple v. Steven DiPietro (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2015, 130 A.3d 368)“…ch. 335 (effective Oct. 1, 1975) (codified as amended at 14 M.R.S. §§ 8001-8008 (2015)), providing for the first t…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Maine Video Recording Laws: Public Filming, Private Property, and Consent (2026)
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE, Part 2: SUBSTANTIVE OFFENSES, Chapter 21: OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER
§ 511Violation of privacyIn forcecited in 15 of our articles
1. A person is guilty of violation of privacy if, except in the execution of a public duty or as authorized by law, that person intentionally: A. Commits a civil trespass on property with the intent to overhear or observe any person in a private place; [PL 1997, c. 467, §1 (AMD).] B. Installs or uses in a private place without the consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy in that place, any device for observing, photographing, recording, amplifying or broadcasting sounds or events in that place; [PL 1997, c. 467, §1 (AMD).] C. Installs or uses outside a private place without the consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy therein any device for observing, photographing, hearing, recording, amplifying or broadcasting images or sounds originating in that place that would not ordinarily be visible, audible or comprehensible outside that place; [PL 2023, c. 227, §1 (AMD).] D.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 6 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):In State of Maine v. Mark W. Strong Sr. (2013) the Maine Supreme Judicial Court read section 511(1)(B) to require an objectively reasonable expectation of being safe from surveillance, and held that people who entered a place solely to engage a prostitute were not persons entitled to privacy there.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State of Maine v. Mark W. Strong Sr. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2013, 60 A.3d 1286)✓A man faced 45 counts of violation of privacy for recording the clients of a Kennebunk prostitute; the Law Court held that people present solely to engage a prostitute were not 'persons entitled to privacy' there, so the indictment failed to charge the offense.
- Friedman v. Public Utilities Commission (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2012, 48 A.3d 794)“…statutes: 17-A M.R.S. § 402(1) (2011) (criminal trespass), 17-A M.R.S. § 511 (2011) (criminal violation of privacy),…”
- Cuso Mortgage Corp. v. Gauthier (Superior Court of Maine 2012)“…e counts of criminal invasion of privacy, presumably under 17-A M.R.S. § 511(1)(B), for allegedly filming sexual act…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Maine Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent, § 710 and § 511, Maine Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026), Maine Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Defenses (2026)
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25: INTERNAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Part 12: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES, Chapter 551: REGULATION OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
§ 4501Regulation of unmanned aerial vehiclesIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
1. Findings. The Legislature finds that evolving technology regarding unmanned aerial vehicles presents a potential economic driver for the State, an opportunity for research and development and a very real benefit for security, for search and rescue efforts and for disaster prevention and relief, as well as a tool for the investigation of serious crimes, but the technology also presents a potential threat to the privacy of citizens of this State if used by law enforcement in the conduct of criminal investigations without appropriate guidelines and supervision. 2. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Law enforcement agency" has the same meaning as in section 3701, subsection 1. [PL 2015, c. 307, §1 (NEW).] B. "Unmanned aerial vehicle" means an aircraft operated without a physical human presence within or on the aircraft that, in the manner in which the aircraft is used or the manner in which it is equipped, is capable of performing audio or visual surveillance. [PL 2015, c. 307, §1 (NEW).] 3. Acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Also relied on in: Maine Drone Laws: Police Warrant Rules & Privacy Explained
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Sources and References
- 15 M.R.S.A. section 710 - Interception of Communications (Maine Legislature)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 1 M.R.S.A. § 404 - Freedom of Access Act, Public Proceedings(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 17-A M.R.S.A. section 511 - Voyeurism (Maine Legislature)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands(maine.gov).gov
- FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)(faa.gov).gov
- 25 M.R.S. section 4501 - Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Law Enforcement) (Maine Legislature)(legislature.maine.gov).gov