Rhode Island
Rhode Island Security Camera Laws: Home, Business, and HOA Rules (2026)
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. · 4 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Rhode Island allows security cameras on your own property without permits or registration. Silent video surveillance is legal as long as cameras avoid areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Audio-capable cameras follow one-party consent rules under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-35-21.
Rhode Island does not have a specific statute regulating security camera installation. Residents and businesses can install cameras without permits. Privacy limits come from the voyeurism statute under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2 and one-party consent rules for audio.
This guide covers residential cameras, business surveillance, audio recording, HOA rules, neighbor disputes, and smart camera technology.
Residential Security Cameras
Install cameras on your own property without permission. Avoid aiming at neighbors' private areas. Nanny cams are legal in common areas but not in bathrooms or guest bedrooms.
Business Cameras
Cameras in lobbies, sales floors, warehouses, and parking lots. Not in bathrooms, locker rooms, or changing areas.
Audio Recording
One-party consent applies. If you are present in conversations captured by cameras, you satisfy the requirement. Capturing others' conversations when you are absent may violate § 11-35-21.
Smart Cameras and Law Enforcement
Ring, Nest, and Arlo cameras are legal. Law enforcement needs a warrant to compel footage.
More Rhode Island Recording Laws
Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism & Hidden Cameras | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant | Dashcam Laws | Schools | Medical Recording
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See Also
- Rhode Island Surveillance Camera Laws covers home, HOA, neighbor, workplace, and landlord camera rules in Rhode Island.
More Rhode Island Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for security cameras in Rhode Island?
No. Rhode Island does not require permits or registration.
Can my neighbor point a camera at my house?
A camera may incidentally capture your property. Cameras aimed at your private areas may give rise to privacy claims.
Do security cameras with audio violate Rhode Island wiretapping laws?
One-party consent applies. Your presence in captured conversations satisfies the requirement.
Can my landlord install cameras inside my apartment?
No. Tenants have a reasonable expectation of privacy inside their units.
Can police access my camera footage without a warrant?
They can ask voluntarily but need a warrant to compel access.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
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.
Rhode Island General Laws, Title 11: Criminal Offenses, Chapter 11-35: Public Utilities
§ 11-35-21Unauthorized interception, disclosure or use of wire, electronic, or oral communicationIn forcecited in 17 of our articles
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in chapter 5.1 of title 12, any person: (1) who willfully intercepts, attempts to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or attempt to intercept, any wire, electronic, or oral communication; (2) who willfully discloses or attempts to disclose to any person the contents of any wire, electronic, or oral communication, knowing, or having reason to know that the information was obtained through interception of a wire, electronic, or oral communication in violation of this section; or (3) who willfully uses or attempts to use the contents of any wire, electronic, or oral communication, knowing, or having reason to know, that the information was obtained through interception of a wire, electronic, or oral communication in violation of this section; shall be imprisoned for not more than five (5) years. (b) The provisions of subdivisions (a)(2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to the contents of any wire, electronic, or oral communication, or evidence derived from those contents, which has become common knowledge or public information.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at webserver.rilegislature.gov
Cited in 5 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2023
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Walden v. CITY OF PROVIDENCE, RI (2010) held municipalities are not persons who may be sued under sections 11-35-21 and 12-5.1-13. The earlier Walden v. City of Providence (2007) held this section is criminal but that R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-2 supplies a civil right of action for its violation.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Bartnicki v. Vopper (Supreme Court of the United States 2001, 532 U.S. 514)“…Stat. § 165.540 (1997); 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5703 (2000); R. I. Gen. Laws § 11-35-21 (2000); Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-601 (…”
- Walden v. CITY OF PROVIDENCE, RI (Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 2010, 596 F.3d 38)“…te, 18 U.S.C. § 2511 et seq.; Rhode Island's wiretap laws, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-35-21, 12-5.1-13; and the state'…”
- Boehner, John A. v. McDermott, James A. (Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit 1999, 191 F.3d 463)“…43 (1998); 18 Pa Cons Stat. Ann. §§ 5703, 5725 (West 1999); R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-35-21 (1998); Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-601 to…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Rhode Island Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026), Rhode Island Dashcam Laws: Mounting, Audio, and Evidence Rules (2026), Rhode Island Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights and HIPAA Rules (2026)
Rhode Island General Laws, Title 11: Criminal Offenses, Chapter 11-64: Electronic Imaging Devices
§ 11-64-2Video voyeurismIn forcecited in 9 of our articles
(1) A person is guilty of video voyeurism when, for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or stimulation, such person: (a) Uses, installs or permits the use or installation of an imaging device to capture, record, store or transmit visual images of the intimate areas of another person without that other person’s knowledge and consent, and under circumstances in which that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. (b) Intentionally, and with knowledge that the image was obtained in violation of subsection (a), disseminates, publishes, or sells such image of the captured representation of another person or persons depicted in the representation or reproduction, and who did not consent to the dissemination, publication or sale. (2) A person is also guilty of video voyeurism when that person, for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or stimulation, looks into an occupied dwelling or other building by use of an imaging device that provides images of the interior of a dwelling.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at webserver.rilegislature.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2014
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Thoms (U S Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals 2014)“…2C:14-9 (West 2013); 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7507.1 (2012); R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2 (2004); S.C. Code Ann. § 16-17-470 (201…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Rhode Island Video Recording Laws: Surveillance, Filming, and Privacy Rules (2026), Rhode Island Smart Glasses Recording Laws 2026, Rhode Island Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules
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Sources and References
- R.I. § 11-35-21(law.justia.com)
- RI AG(riag.ri.gov).gov
- FTC(consumer.ftc.gov).gov
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-35-21(webserver.rilegislature.gov).gov
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2 - Video Voyeurism(webserver.rilegislature.gov).gov