Maine Video Recording Laws: Public Filming, Private Property, and Consent (2026)
Video recording in Maine is governed by a combination of constitutional protections, the state's wiretapping statute, and voyeurism law. Understanding how these laws interact helps you know when video recording is legal and when it crosses into prohibited territory.
Video Recording in Public Spaces
First Amendment Protection
The First Amendment protects the right to video record in public places. The First Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Maine, confirmed in Glik v. Cunniffe (2011) that recording in public is a clearly established constitutional right.
You can legally video record:
- On public streets, sidewalks, and parks
- At public events, parades, and demonstrations
- Government buildings and activities visible from public spaces
- Police officers performing their duties in public
- Any person or activity visible from a public vantage point
Video vs. Audio Recording
An important legal distinction exists:
- Video-only recording in public spaces requires no consent from anyone
- Audio recording is governed by one-party consent under 15 M.R.S.A. section 710 and section 712
If your video captures audio of conversations, one-party consent rules apply. You must be a participant in any conversation your recording captures.
Video Recording on Private Property
Your Own Property
You have broad rights to install video cameras on your own property in Maine. This includes interior and exterior cameras for home security, monitoring children or pets, and documenting property conditions.
Other People's Property
On private property you do not own, the property owner's rules govern. Businesses, employers, and landlords can set their own video recording policies. Recording on private property against the owner's wishes could result in trespass charges under 17-A M.R.S.A. section 402.
Maine Voyeurism Law
17-A M.R.S.A. Section 511
Maine's voyeurism statute (17-A M.R.S.A. section 511) sets strict limits on video recording in private settings. It is a crime to:
- Place a camera in a location where a person may reasonably expect privacy for the purpose of observing or recording them
- Record someone in a state of undress or engaged in sexual activity without consent
- Disseminate images obtained through voyeuristic recording
Where Privacy Is Expected
Areas where video recording is prohibited include:
- Bathrooms and restrooms (public or private)
- Bedrooms and hotel rooms
- Changing rooms and fitting rooms
- Locker rooms
- Medical examination rooms
- Any location where a person is in a state of undress
Penalties
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Voyeuristic video recording | Class D crime | Up to 1 year jail, $2,000 fine |
| Recording a minor | Class C crime | Up to 5 years prison, $5,000 fine |
| Disseminating voyeuristic video | Class D crime | Up to 1 year jail, $2,000 fine |
Video Recording in the Workplace
Employer Video Surveillance
Employers in Maine can use video surveillance in the workplace for security and safety purposes. Cameras are generally permitted in:
- Common work areas and production floors
- Entrances, exits, and hallways
- Parking lots and loading docks
- Cash registers and point-of-sale areas
Cameras are prohibited in:
- Employee restrooms and changing areas
- Break rooms (limited privacy expectation)
- Private offices (without notification)
Employee Video Recording
Employees can video record in the workplace under one-party consent, as long as they are a party to any conversations captured. Employer policies may restrict recording, and violating these policies could result in disciplinary action.
For more on workplace recording, see our guide on Maine workplace recording laws.
Video Recording in Rental Properties
Landlords can install exterior video cameras but cannot place cameras inside rental units. Tenants can use cameras inside their own units. For details, see our guide on Maine landlord-tenant recording laws.
Video Recording and Social Media
Posting Public Recordings
Video captured in public spaces can generally be shared on social media. People in public have reduced privacy expectations regarding their appearance and actions.
Privacy Considerations
- Videos of children raise heightened concerns even when legally captured
- Sharing video with intent to harass could support a harassment claim
- Commercial use of someone's likeness may require consent
- Videos showing sensitive locations (military installations, courtrooms) may have restrictions
Video Evidence in Maine Courts
Admissibility
Video recordings are admissible in Maine courts when authenticated. The offering party must show:
- The recording device was functioning properly
- The footage has not been altered or edited deceptively
- The content is relevant to the case
- The footage accurately depicts the events captured
Common Uses
Video evidence is used in:
- Criminal prosecutions (assaults, thefts, DUI)
- Personal injury cases
- Domestic violence proceedings
- Insurance claims
- Employment disputes
- Property and boundary disputes
Drone Video Recording
Maine drone laws (14 M.R.S.A. section 8001) restrict aerial video surveillance of people in private places. Recreational and commercial drone video must comply with FAA regulations.
More Maine Laws
- Maine Recording Laws
- Maine Whistleblower Laws
- Maine Sexting Laws
- Maine Lemon Laws
- [Maine Data Privacy Laws](/us-laws/data-privacy-laws/maine-data-privacy-laws)
- Maine Recording Laws
- Maine Recording Laws
- Maine Recording Laws
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