Recording Laws Surveillance Camera Laws Maine Laws

Maine Security Camera Laws: Home, Business, and HOA Rules (2026)

March 23, 20267 min read

Security cameras are widely used in Maine for home protection, business security, and property monitoring. While Maine does not have a dedicated security camera statute, their use is governed by the state's wiretapping law, voyeurism statute, and general privacy principles. This guide covers the legal rules for residential, commercial, and workplace security cameras in Maine.

Are Security Cameras Legal in Maine?

Yes. Maine does not require permits, registration, or notification for installing security cameras on your own property. You can use security cameras at your home or business without government approval.

Maine mailbox area in an apartment complex with a small camera mounted above

What Maine Law Permits

You can legally:

Install cameras on the exterior of your property (doorbell cameras, driveway cameras, perimeter cameras)
Place cameras inside your own home
Use cameras on your business premises in public-facing areas
Record video continuously without consent from anyone
Store footage locally or in cloud storage

What Maine Law Prohibits

You cannot legally:

Place cameras in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy (bathrooms, guest bedrooms, changing areas)
Aim cameras into your neighbor's home or private spaces
Use cameras to record people in a state of undress without consent
Install hidden cameras in rental properties without tenant knowledge
Use audio recording on cameras to capture conversations you are not a party to

Maine Voyeurism Law and Security Cameras

17-A M.R.S.A. Section 511

Maine's voyeurism statute (17-A M.R.S.A. section 511) is the primary law governing hidden cameras and privacy violations. Under this statute, it is a crime to:

Knowingly place a camera in a location where a person may reasonably expect privacy for the purpose of observing them
Record someone in a state of undress or engaged in sexual activity without consent
Disseminate images obtained through voyeuristic recording

Penalties for Voyeuristic Recording

Offense	Classification	Maximum Penalty
Voyeuristic recording	Class D crime	Up to 1 year jail, $2,000 fine
Recording involving a minor	Class C crime	Up to 5 years prison, $5,000 fine
Disseminating voyeuristic images	Class D crime	Up to 1 year jail, $2,000 fine

Audio Recording on Security Cameras

Maine office hallway with a ceiling-mounted camera and exit sign visible

Many security cameras include microphones. Maine's one-party consent law (15 M.R.S.A. section 710) governs audio recording:

If you are present and part of a conversation captured by your camera, the recording is legal
If your camera records conversations between other people when you are not present, this could violate wiretapping law
The safest approach for outdoor and common area cameras is to disable audio recording or post prominent notices

Penalties for Illegal Audio Recording

Illegal interception of communications is a Class C crime under 15 M.R.S.A. section 710, carrying up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Residential Security Cameras

Your Property

You have broad rights to install cameras on your own property in Maine:

Doorbell cameras (Ring, Nest, Arlo) at your entrance
Exterior cameras covering your driveway, yard, and perimeter
Interior cameras monitoring your home while away
Garage and shed cameras

Cameras Facing Public Areas

Cameras that capture public sidewalks, streets, or neighboring driveways from your property are generally legal. People in public spaces have reduced privacy expectations. However, cameras should not be aimed specifically to peer into a neighbor's windows or private areas.

Neighbor Disputes

Camera disputes between neighbors are common in Maine. Key considerations:

You can record activity visible from your property
You cannot aim cameras to invade a neighbor's reasonable privacy
If a neighbor objects to your camera, consider adjusting the angle to minimize capturing their private areas
Persistent, targeted recording of a neighbor could support a harassment claim under 17-A M.R.S.A. section 506-A

Business Security Cameras

Retail and Commercial

Businesses in Maine commonly use security cameras for loss prevention, employee safety, and liability protection. Best practices include:

Posting visible signs informing customers that surveillance is in use
Placing cameras in public areas (sales floor, entrances, parking lots)
Avoiding cameras in customer restrooms, fitting rooms, or any private areas
Establishing data retention and access policies for stored footage
Training employees on camera locations and company recording policies

Workplace Cameras

Employers in Maine can use workplace cameras but must balance security needs with employee privacy:

Permitted locations:

Entrances and exits
Warehouse and production areas
Cash registers and point-of-sale areas
Parking lots and loading docks
Common hallways

Prohibited locations:

Employee restrooms
Changing areas and locker rooms
Break rooms (some privacy expectation)
Private offices (without notice)

Maine does not have a specific workplace surveillance statute, but the Maine Human Rights Act and common law privacy protections apply.

Landlord and Tenant Camera Rules

Landlord Cameras

Landlords in Maine can install cameras on rental property exteriors and in common areas but cannot place cameras inside individual rental units. See our guide on Maine landlord-tenant recording laws for detailed coverage.

Tenant Cameras

Tenants can install cameras inside their own units, subject to lease terms about property modifications. Wireless, adhesive-mounted cameras generally do not require lease modifications.

HOA Security Camera Rules

Maine homeowner associations can establish their own security camera rules. Common HOA provisions include:

Requirements for camera aesthetics (color, size, placement)
Restrictions on cameras visible from common areas
Rules about shared surveillance systems
Limitations on cameras aimed at common spaces

Check your HOA's covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) before installing cameras.

Security Camera Footage as Evidence

Admissibility in Maine Courts

Security camera footage is admissible in Maine courts when properly authenticated. The offering party must show:

The camera was functioning properly
The footage has not been altered
The date, time, and location are accurate
The content is relevant to the case

Common Uses

Security footage is regularly used in:

Burglary and theft prosecutions
Personal injury and slip-and-fall cases
Domestic violence and harassment cases
Insurance claims for property damage
Neighbor disputes and boundary conflicts

Data Storage and Privacy

Storage Best Practices

Use encrypted storage for footage
Establish retention periods (30-90 days is common)
Limit access to authorized individuals
Protect cloud-stored footage with strong passwords
Delete footage that is no longer needed

Maine Data Privacy

Maine's evolving data privacy framework, including the Online Data Privacy Act (LD 1822, effective July 1, 2026), may affect how cloud-connected camera services handle footage. Stay informed about new requirements.

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Recording Laws Surveillance Camera Laws Maine Laws

Maine Security Camera Laws: Home, Business, and HOA Rules (2026)

March 23, 20267 min read