Virginia
Virginia Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 17, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 17, 2026. · 13 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Ring doorbells are legal to use in Virginia. State law permits video surveillance of your own property and public-facing areas, and Va. Code 19.2-62 allows audio recording when you participate in the conversation as a party to it.
Ring doorbells capture video and audio of everything happening near your front door. In Virginia, the legality of that recording depends on what the device captures, where the camera points, and whether audio recording is active. Virginia's one-party consent framework makes it easier to use these devices legally than in all-party consent states, but there are still important limits.
This guide covers every relevant Virginia statute, explains how state privacy laws interact with Ring doorbell features, and walks through the rules for homeowners, renters, and HOA residents.
Audio Recording Laws and Ring Doorbells
Virginia's wiretapping statute is the most important law governing Ring doorbell audio recording. Understanding how it works is essential for any Ring doorbell owner in the state.
Virginia's One-Party Consent Rule (Va. Code 19.2-62)
Under Va. Code 19.2-62, it is not a criminal offense to intercept a wire, electronic, or oral communication when the person intercepting is a party to the communication or when one of the parties has given prior consent. This makes Virginia a one-party consent state.
Read subsection B(2) closely, because the consent has to come from the right person. The exemption covers an interception where the interceptor "is a party to the communication or one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to such interception." Consent from a party to the conversation is what matters. Consent from whoever owns the recording device is not a substitute.
For Ring doorbell owners, this means your device can legally record audio of conversations where you are present and participating. If someone rings your doorbell and you speak with them through the Ring app's two-way talk feature, you have consented to that recording as a participant.
The statute does prohibit intercepting communications when you are not a party and no party has consented. A Ring doorbell that picks up a neighbor's private conversation from across the yard, without any participant's knowledge, could cross this line.
When Audio Recording Becomes Illegal
Ring doorbells with audio enabled continuously capture sound within their detection range. This creates potential legal exposure when the device records conversations between third parties where no participant has consented to the recording.
Under Va. Code 19.2-62, intentionally intercepting oral communications without consent from at least one party is unlawful. While courts have not directly addressed whether a continuously running Ring doorbell constitutes "intentional" interception of overheard conversations, the safest approach is to position your device so it primarily captures audio at your own doorstep rather than neighboring properties.
Admissibility of Ring Audio in Virginia Courts
Virginia Code 8.01-420.2 limits, rather than broadly permits, the admissibility of recorded conversations as evidence. It applies specifically to recordings of telephone conversations offered in civil proceedings, and it generally requires that all parties to the call were aware they were being recorded, with a narrow exception when the recording contains admissions of criminal conduct underlying the civil case (an exception that does not apply in divorce, separate maintenance, or annulment proceedings). One-party consent under the criminal wiretap statute, Va. Code 19.2-62, does not by itself satisfy this stricter civil-evidence standard. Ring doorbell footage has instead been used in Virginia courts mainly in criminal cases, ranging from package theft to assault, where different evidentiary rules apply.
Video Recording Laws and Ring Doorbells
Virginia does not have a broad statute prohibiting outdoor video surveillance on private property. Video recording is treated differently from audio recording under state law, and homeowners have significant latitude to record video of their own property and public-facing areas.
Legal Video Recording
Recording video of public spaces (sidewalks, streets, your own driveway and porch) is broadly permitted in Virginia. Because Ring doorbells are typically mounted at a front door and face outward toward areas with limited privacy expectations, the video component rarely creates legal problems.
Peeping and Spying Laws (Va. Code 18.2-130)
Virginia's peeping tom statute, Va. Code 18.2-130, is narrower than its reputation. Subsection A makes it unlawful to enter upon the property of another and secretly or furtively peep, spy, or attempt to peep or spy into or through a window, door, or other aperture of a dwelling. It also reaches a property owner who does the same thing, without just cause, on property he owns and has leased or rented to another, under circumstances that would violate the occupant's reasonable expectation of privacy. Subsection B is a separate offense aimed at peepholes used to view undressed people in restrooms, dressing rooms, hotel rooms, and similar spaces.
Both branches of subsection A turn on that threshold element. A Ring doorbell fixed to your own house, watching your own porch, involves no entry upon anyone else's property, and your house is not a unit you have rented out. Va. Code 18.2-130 therefore does not reach an ordinary owner-occupied doorbell camera, whatever the lens happens to see from where it is mounted.
A related statute, Va. Code 18.2-130.1, covers peeping by electronic device or drone, and it is narrower than its title suggests. Subsection A requires a person to knowingly and intentionally cause an electronic device to enter the property of another in order to peep or spy into a dwelling, or to do the same, without just cause, on property he owns and has rented to another. Subsection B carries no entry element, but it applies only to an unmanned aircraft system. A violation of either subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
That structure matters for Ring doorbell owners. A doorbell fixed to your own door frame does not cause a device to enter a neighbor's property, so subsection A does not apply to it, and a doorbell is not an unmanned aircraft system, so subsection B does not either. The statute is aimed at a camera you place on someone else's land and at a drone flown up to a window. It is not a general rule about which direction a stationary camera faces.
Angling the camera away from the interior of adjacent dwellings is still worth doing. It reduces the chance of capturing images that could implicate Va. Code 18.2-386.1, it keeps you clear of nuisance and harassment claims, and it heads off the neighbor complaints that most often turn into HOA disputes and civil suits.
Unlawful Image Creation (Va. Code 18.2-386.1)
Va. Code 18.2-386.1 prohibits creating images of another person's intimate areas without consent. While this statute primarily targets voyeurism rather than doorbell cameras, it reinforces Virginia's broader privacy framework and applies if a camera captures such images.
HOA Rules and Ring Doorbells
Homeowners associations in Virginia can regulate the installation and use of Ring doorbells, but their authority has limits.
HOA Regulatory Authority
Virginia HOAs derive their power from governing documents including Declarations of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws, and architectural guidelines. Under the Virginia Property Owners' Association Act (Va. Code 55.1-1800 et seq.), HOAs can establish rules about exterior modifications to homes.
Common HOA restrictions on Ring doorbells include requiring architectural review committee approval before installation, limiting the size or visibility of the device, specifying acceptable mounting locations, and restricting camera angles that capture common areas.
Limits on HOA Power
Virginia law requires HOA rules to be reasonable and applied consistently to all homeowners. An HOA cannot single out one homeowner's Ring doorbell while allowing identical devices on other homes. Rules must also serve a legitimate purpose, such as maintaining community aesthetics or protecting privacy.
HOA restrictions cannot override state law. Even if an HOA permits Ring doorbells, the device owner still must comply with Va. Code 19.2-62, the audio interception statute, which is the provision an ordinary doorbell is most likely to run into. Virginia's peeping statutes, Va. Code 18.2-130 and 18.2-130.1, turn on entering another person's property rather than on where an HOA lets you mount a device, so they rarely bear on a camera fixed to your own home.
Condominiums Under the Virginia Condominium Act
Condominium associations operate under the Virginia Condominium Act (Va. Code 55.1-1900 et seq.). Because condo unit doors often face shared hallways rather than public streets, doorbell cameras in condos raise additional privacy questions about recording common areas. Condo associations frequently have stricter rules about exterior device installation.
Landlord and Tenant Rights
Renters in Virginia face different considerations than homeowners when installing Ring doorbells.
Tenant Installation Rights
The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Va. Code 55.1-1200 et seq.) governs the landlord-tenant relationship, and one subsection speaks directly to security devices. Under Va. Code 55.1-1229(D), a tenant may install within the dwelling unit new security systems that the tenant believes necessary to ensure his safety, subject to three conditions: the installation does no permanent damage to any part of the dwelling unit, a duplicate of all keys and instructions for operating the devices are given to the landlord, and on termination of the tenancy the tenant pays the landlord's reasonable costs of removing the devices and repairing any damaged areas.
The scope limit is the part that matters most for a doorbell. Subsection D authorizes installation "within the dwelling unit." A doorbell camera mounted on the exterior door frame or the outside wall sits outside that language, so subsection D is not a right a tenant can point to for an outward-facing device. For an exterior mount, your authority comes from the lease and the landlord's permission rather than from the statute.
Mounting method still matters separately. Adhesive mounts and slide-over brackets avoid the permanent-damage problem that both 55.1-1229(D)(1) and the tenant's maintenance duty are concerned with, and battery-powered models avoid hardwiring entirely. That removes the damage question, but it does not by itself grant permission to attach a device to the building's exterior, so read the lease first.
Hardwired Ring models or installations requiring drilling into door frames constitute modifications to the property. Under Va. Code 55.1-1227, tenants must maintain the dwelling unit and avoid damage. Any installation that damages the property or alters existing fixtures requires written landlord consent.
Landlord Restrictions
Landlords can include lease provisions restricting exterior modifications, which may affect Ring doorbell installation. Tenants should review their lease before installing any device that attaches to the exterior of the unit.
Under Va. Code 55.1-1229, landlords have the right to access the rental unit for inspections and repairs with reasonable notice. Capturing that entry on video from your own doorbell raises no wiretap issue. Audio is narrower: Va. Code 19.2-62(B)(2) covers the exchange when you are one of the people talking, but it does not cover a conversation the landlord has with a contractor or anyone else while you are not a participant, because your consent as the device owner is not the consent of a party to that conversation.
Exterior and Common Area Limitations
Tenants in apartment complexes generally cannot install Ring doorbells in common areas (hallways, building entrances) without management approval, as these spaces are controlled by the property owner. For single-family rentals, the tenant's authority over the front door area is broader.
Law Enforcement Access to Ring Footage
Police access to Ring doorbell footage in Virginia follows both federal and state rules.
Voluntary Sharing
Virginia residents can voluntarily share Ring footage with police at any time. Law enforcement officers often canvass neighborhoods after crimes and ask Ring owners to review and share relevant footage. You are not required to comply with these requests.
Warrants and Subpoenas
If you decline to share footage, police can obtain it through a search warrant issued by a Virginia court based on probable cause, or a subpoena compelling production of records. Under Va. Code 19.2-70.3, law enforcement can also request records from electronic communication services (including cloud storage providers like Amazon) with appropriate legal process.
Amazon Ring's Policy
As of 2026, Amazon Ring requires law enforcement to submit a valid legal process (warrant, subpoena, or court order) before Ring will disclose customer footage. Ring publishes a law enforcement information request guide detailing these procedures.
The FTC's 2023 settlement with Ring addressed concerns about employee access to customer footage and required Ring to implement stronger privacy protections, including restrictions on human review of video and mandatory multi-factor authentication.
Emergency Exceptions
Under federal law (18 U.S.C. 2702), electronic communication service providers like Amazon Ring can disclose customer records without legal process when they reasonably believe an emergency involving danger of death or serious physical injury requires immediate disclosure.
Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act and Ring
The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA, Va. Code 59.1-575 et seq.) adds a data privacy layer to Ring doorbell ownership that goes beyond recording consent laws.
How the VCDPA Applies to Ring
The VCDPA applies to companies that conduct business in Virginia and process personal data of at least 100,000 consumers, or process data of at least 25,000 consumers while deriving over 50% of revenue from data sales. Amazon, as Ring's parent company, falls within this scope.
Under Va. Code 59.1-577, Virginia consumers have the right to confirm whether a company processes their personal data, access that data, correct inaccuracies, delete their data, and obtain a portable copy. These rights apply to data Ring collects from your doorbell, including video footage stored in the cloud, motion detection data, and device usage information.
Sensitive Data and Biometric Information
The VCDPA classifies biometric data as "sensitive data" requiring consumer consent before processing. Under Va. Code 59.1-575, biometric data includes measurements of biological characteristics used to identify a specific individual. Ring's motion detection and person detection features may process data that intersects with these protections, though the statute specifically excludes video recordings and data generated from video from the biometric data definition.
Enforcement
The Virginia Attorney General has exclusive enforcement authority over the VCDPA. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $7,500 per violation under Va. Code 59.1-584.
Penalties for Illegal Recording in Virginia
Virginia imposes serious penalties for recording violations. Understanding the potential consequences reinforces why proper Ring doorbell setup matters.
| Violation | Statute | Classification | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illegal wiretapping (interception) | Va. Code 19.2-62 | Class 6 Felony | 1-5 years prison or up to 12 months jail and $2,500 fine |
| Disclosing intercepted communications (general offense, subsection A(3)) | Va. Code 19.2-62 | Class 6 Felony | 1-5 years prison or up to 12 months jail and $2,500 fine |
| Provider improperly divulging communications in transit (subsection C) | Va. Code 19.2-62 | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months jail and $2,500 fine |
| Peeping by electronic device sent onto another's property, or by drone | Va. Code 18.2-130.1 | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months jail and $2,500 fine |
| Unlawful image creation | Va. Code 18.2-386.1 | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months jail and $2,500 fine |
Beyond criminal penalties, Virginia also allows civil lawsuits. Under Va. Code 19.2-69, any person whose wire, electronic, or oral communication is intercepted in violation of the wiretapping statute may recover actual damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees.
How to Use a Ring Doorbell Legally in Virginia
Following these guidelines helps Virginia residents stay within the law when using Ring doorbells.
Position the camera to face your property and public areas. Point your Ring doorbell toward your porch, walkway, driveway, and the street. Avoid angles that capture the interior of neighboring homes through windows or doors.
Understand the audio recording default. Ring doorbells record audio by default. In Virginia, that is squarely lawful for conversations you take part in through the two-way talk feature, because Va. Code 19.2-62(B)(2) exempts an interception where the interceptor is a party to the communication. Ambient pickup is a different question. Owning the device and consenting to your own recording is not a party's consent to a conversation you are not in, so the exemption does not cover a conversation between two other people that your doorbell happens to capture. Aim the device at your own doorstep, or turn audio off, rather than treating ownership as consent.
Check your HOA rules before installation. If you live in an HOA-governed community, review the CC&Rs and architectural guidelines. Submit any required applications to the architectural review committee before mounting the device.
Get landlord approval if renting. Va. Code 55.1-1229(D) covers tenant security devices installed within the dwelling unit, which leaves an exterior doorbell camera to your lease. Get written permission before any hardwired installation or any mounting that requires drilling, and check the lease even for an adhesive or slide-over mount.
Review Ring's privacy settings. Disable audio recording if you want to eliminate any risk related to Va. Code 19.2-62. Adjust motion zones to limit the area your camera monitors. Regularly review and delete stored footage.
Know your rights with police requests. You can voluntarily share footage, but you are not legally required to do so without a valid warrant or subpoena. If law enforcement asks for your Ring footage, consider consulting an attorney before complying.
Exercise your VCDPA rights. Virginia residents can request access to, deletion of, or corrections to personal data that Ring collects. Submit requests through Amazon's privacy settings or Ring's dedicated privacy portal.
More Virginia Laws
Virginia has specific laws covering many areas beyond doorbell cameras. These related guides provide additional detail:
- Virginia Recording Laws cover the full scope of Virginia's wiretapping and surveillance statutes.
- Virginia Hit and Run Laws explain reporting requirements and penalties for leaving the scene of an accident.
- Virginia Lemon Law covers your rights when purchasing a defective vehicle.
This article provides general legal information about Virginia Ring doorbell laws and is not legal advice. Laws change, and their application depends on specific circumstances. Consult an attorney for advice specific to your situation. Information is current as of April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record audio with my Ring doorbell in Virginia?
Virginia is a one-party consent state under Va. Code 19.2-62. As the Ring doorbell owner, you can legally record audio of conversations where you are a participant, such as when using the two-way talk feature. The exemption in 19.2-62(B)(2) requires that the interceptor be a party to the communication or that a party consented in advance, so owning the device is not itself consent. Recording conversations between third parties where no participant has consented may violate state wiretapping law.
Can my HOA ban Ring doorbells in Virginia?
Virginia HOAs can regulate Ring doorbell installation through their CC&Rs and architectural guidelines under the Property Owners' Association Act. They can set rules about placement, appearance, and approval processes. However, HOA rules must be reasonable, consistently applied, and cannot override state recording laws.
Do I need my landlord's permission to install a Ring doorbell in Virginia?
Check your lease. Va. Code 55.1-1229(D) lets a tenant install new security systems within the dwelling unit if the installation does no permanent damage, duplicate keys and operating instructions go to the landlord, and the tenant pays removal and repair costs when the tenancy ends. A doorbell camera on an exterior door frame falls outside that 'within the dwelling unit' language, so it is governed by the lease rather than by subsection D. An adhesive or slide-over mount avoids the damage problem, but drilling or hardwiring calls for written landlord consent.
Can Virginia police access my Ring doorbell footage without my permission?
Police cannot force you to hand over Ring footage without legal process. If you decline a voluntary request, they can obtain a search warrant based on probable cause or a subpoena. Amazon Ring also requires valid legal process before disclosing customer footage to law enforcement, per their published policies as of 2026.
Does Virginia's peeping tom law apply to my doorbell camera?
Generally no. Va. Code 18.2-130 requires entering upon the property of another to peep or spy, or doing the same on property you own and have rented to someone else. Va. Code 18.2-130.1 requires causing an electronic device to enter another person's property, and its no-entry subsection applies only to unmanned aircraft systems. A doorbell fixed to your own house meets none of those elements. Aiming the camera away from a neighbor's windows is still sensible, but the reason is nuisance and harassment exposure rather than the peeping statutes.
What are the penalties for illegal recording with a Ring doorbell in Virginia?
Illegal interception of communications under Va. Code 19.2-62 is a Class 6 felony, punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Peeping or spying by sending an electronic device onto another person's property, or by drone, under Va. Code 18.2-130.1 is a Class 1 misdemeanor, carrying up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Updates
Corrected this page's account of Virginia's peeping statutes, which require entry onto another person's property (or a drone) and so do not reach a doorbell camera on your own home, clarified that the one-party consent exemption in Va. Code 19.2-62(B)(2) requires consent from a party to the conversation rather than from the device owner, and added the controlling tenant provision, Va. Code 55.1-1229(D), together with its limit to installations within the dwelling unit.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Fixed the VCDPA enforcement citation: the $7,500 civil-penalty provision is Va. Code 59.1-584 (Enforcement; civil penalty), not 59.1-580 (Data protection assessments).
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected the penalty table: disclosing unlawfully intercepted communications is a Class 6 felony for the general offense, not a Class 1 misdemeanor (that lower tier applies only to a narrower provider-specific offense). Also corrected an overstated admissibility claim: Va. Code 8.01-420.2 is a telephone-specific civil-evidence rule requiring all-party awareness, not general one-party-consent admissibility.
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.
Code of Virginia, Title 19.2: Criminal Procedure
§ 19.2-62Interception, disclosure, etc., of wire, electronic or oral communications unlawful; penalties; exceptionsIn forcecited in 21 of our articles
A. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter any person who: 1. Intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any wire, electronic or oral communication; 2. Intentionally uses, endeavors to use, or procures any other person to use or endeavor to use any electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept any oral communication; 3. Intentionally discloses, or endeavors to disclose, to any other person the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication; or 4. Intentionally uses, or endeavors to use, the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication; shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony. B. 1.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 11 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Courts read Section 19.2-62 in step with the federal wiretap act. Global Policy Partners, LLC v. Yessin (2009) held that accessing email stored on a destination server is not an intercept, and Wilks v. Commonwealth (1977) held a conversation police recorded through a cooperating coconspirator was not a protected oral communication.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Belmer v. Commonwealth (Court of Appeals of Virginia 2001, 36 Va. App. 448)✓A juvenile arrested for robbery whispered to his mother's boyfriend in a police interview room while a detective listened in; the court found no reasonable expectation of privacy, so Chapter 6, which carries the Section 19.2-62 ban, did not bar the detective's testimony.
- Wilks v. Commonwealth (Supreme Court of Virginia 1977, 217 Va. 885)✓An arson conspirator agreed to be wired and drew the defendant into a taped shop-talk about the fires; the court held the defendant had no justifiable expectation of noninterception, so the talk was not an oral communication protected by Chapter 6 and the tape was admissible.
- Bartnicki v. Vopper (Supreme Court of the United States 2001, 532 U.S. 514)“…16.02 (Supp. 2001); Utah Code Ann. § 77 23a4 (1982); Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-62 (1995); W. Va. Code § 62 -1D-3 (2000)…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: One-Party Consent States: Complete 2026 Guide, District of Columbia Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules and Interstate Calls, Virginia Security Camera Laws: Home, Business, and HOA Rules
§ 19.2-69Civil action for unlawful interception, disclosure, or useIn forcecited in 9 of our articles
Any person whose wire, electronic, or oral communication is intercepted, disclosed, or used in violation of this chapter shall (i) have a civil cause of action against any person who intercepts, discloses, or uses, or procures any other person to intercept, disclose, or use, such communications and (ii) be entitled to recover from any such person: 1. Actual damages but not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of $400 a day for each day of violation or $4,000, whichever is higher, provided that liquidated damages shall be computed at the rate of $800 a day for each day of violation or $8,000, whichever is higher, if the wire, electronic, or oral communication intercepted, disclosed, or used is between (i) persons married to each other; (ii) an attorney and client; (iii) a licensed practitioner of the healing arts and patient; (iv) a licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, licensed psychologist, or licensed marriage and family therapist and client; or (v) a clergy member and person seeking spiritual counsel or advice; 2. Punitive damages; and 3. A reasonable attorney fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Few (District Court, E.D. Virginia 2026)“…ing a civil claim for damages under Va. Code § 19.2-69. See Dkt. 1 at 1-3. Cc. Stat…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Virginia Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties, Virginia Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights and Healthcare Privacy, Virginia Phone Call Recording Laws: What You Need to Know
§ 19.2-70.3Obtaining records concerning electronic communication service or remote computing serviceIn force
A. A provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service, which, for purposes of subdivisions 2, 3, and 4, includes a foreign corporation that provides such services, shall disclose a record or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service, excluding the contents of electronic communications and real-time location data, to an investigative or law-enforcement officer only pursuant to: 1. A subpoena issued by a grand jury of a court of the Commonwealth; 2. A search warrant issued by a magistrate, general district court, or circuit court; 3. A court order issued by a circuit court for such disclosure issued as provided in subsection B; or 4. The consent of the subscriber or customer to such disclosure. B.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2018
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Jesus Alejandro Chavez (Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 2018, 894 F.3d 593)“…B), 2703(d), and related provisions of Virginia state law, Va. Code §§ 19.2-70.3(A)(3), -70.3(B). Chavez contends that t…”
- United States v. Clenney (Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 2011, 631 F.3d 658)“…nt, or court order to obtain them without customer consent. Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-70.3. B.…”
- United States v. Wilford (District Court, D. Maryland 2013, 961 F. Supp. 2d 740)“…8 U.S.C. § 2703 (c), and Virginia consumer protection law, Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-70.3 ); Abdi, 463 F.3d at 556-57 (hold…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Code of Virginia, Title 18.2: Crimes and Offenses Generally
§ 18.2-130.1Peeping or spying into dwelling or occupied building by electronic device or unmanned aircraft system; penaltyIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally cause an electronic device to enter the property of another to secretly or furtively peep or spy or attempt to peep or spy into or through a window, door, or other aperture of any building, structure, or other enclosure occupied or intended for occupancy as a dwelling, whether or not such building, structure, or enclosure is permanently situated or transportable and whether or not such occupancy is permanent or temporary, or to do the same, without just cause, upon property owned by him and leased or rented to another under circumstances that would violate the occupant's reasonable expectation of privacy. B.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Also relied on in: Virginia Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
§ 18.2-130Peeping or spying into dwelling or enclosureIn forcecited in 9 of our articles
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter upon the property of another and secretly or furtively peep, spy or attempt to peep or spy into or through a window, door or other aperture of any building, structure, or other enclosure of any nature occupied or intended for occupancy as a dwelling, whether or not such building, structure or enclosure is permanently situated or transportable and whether or not such occupancy is permanent or temporary, or to do the same, without just cause, upon property owned by him and leased or rented to another under circumstances that would violate the occupant's reasonable expectation of privacy. B.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Watkins (Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit 2026)“…ah Code Ann. § 76-12-306;2 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 2605;3 Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-130;1 (in part),3 Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.44.1…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Virginia Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Surveillance and Privacy Rights, Virginia Video Recording Laws: Surveillance Rules and Privacy Limits, Virginia Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Penalties and Protections
§ 18.2-386.1Unlawful creation of image of another; penaltyIn forcecited in 16 of our articles
A. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally create any videographic or still image by any means whatsoever of any nonconsenting person if (i) that person is (a) totally nude; (b) clad in undergarments; (c) in a state of undress so as to expose the genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast; or (d) not exposed to show the genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast but such videographic or still image is obscene, as defined in § 18.2-372, when such nonconsenting person is in a restroom, dressing room, locker room, hotel room, motel room, tanning bed, tanning booth, bedroom, or other location; or (ii) the videographic or still image is created by placing the lens or image-gathering component of the recording device in a position directly beneath or between a person's legs for the purpose of capturing an image of the person's intimate parts or undergarments covering those intimate parts when the intimate parts or undergarments would not otherwise be visible to the general public; and when the circumstances set forth in clause (i) or (ii) are otherwise such that the person being recorded would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. B.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Also relied on in: Virginia Laws on Recording in Public: Rights and Restrictions, Virginia School Recording Laws: Student, Parent, and Teacher Rights, Virginia Workplace Recording Laws: Employee Rights and Employer Rules
§ 18.2-10Punishment for conviction of felony; penaltyIn forcecited in 7 of our articles
The authorized punishments for conviction of a felony are: (a) For Class 1 felonies, imprisonment for life and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000. Any person who was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense and who is sentenced to imprisonment for life upon conviction of a Class 1 felony shall not be eligible for (i) parole, (ii) any good conduct allowance or any earned sentence credits under Chapter 6 (§ 53.1-186 et seq.) of Title 53.1, or (iii) conditional release pursuant to § 53.1-40.01 or 53.1-40.02. (b) For Class 2 felonies, imprisonment for life or for any term not less than 20 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000. (c) For Class 3 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than 20 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000. (d) For Class 4 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than 10 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 46 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Roper v. Simmons (Supreme Court of the United States 2005, 543 U.S. 551)“…minimum age) *580 Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (a) (Lexis 2004) (minimum age…”
- Coker v. Georgia (Supreme Court of the United States 1977, 433 U.S. 584)“…5); Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-2402 , 39-2406, 39-3702 (1975); Va. Code Ann. §§ 18.2-10 , 18.2-31 (1975). Brief for Respondent…”
- Sumner v. Shuman (Supreme Court of the United States 1987, 483 U.S. 66)“…Tit. 21, §§ 701.7, 701.9 to 701.15 (1981 and Supp. 1986); Va. Code §§ 18.2-10(a) and 18.2-31(c) (1975), amended and c…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Hit and Run Laws in the United States (2026 Guide), Virginia Smart Glasses Recording Laws, How Long Is a Life Sentence in Virginia? (2026 Guide)
Code of Virginia, Title 8.01: Civil Remedies and Procedure
§ 8.01-420.2Limitation on use of recorded conversations as evidenceIn forcecited in 13 of our articles
No mechanical recording, electronic or otherwise, of a telephone conversation shall be admitted into evidence in any civil proceeding unless (i) all parties to the conversation were aware the conversation was being recorded or (ii) the portion of the recording to be admitted contains admissions that, if true, would constitute criminal conduct which is the basis for the civil action, and one of the parties was aware of the recording and the proceeding is not one for divorce, separate maintenance or annulment of a marriage. The parties' knowledge of the recording pursuant to clause (i) shall be demonstrated by a declaration at the beginning of the recorded portion of the conversation to be admitted into evidence that the conversation is being recorded. This section shall not apply to emergency reporting systems operated by police and fire departments and by emergency medical services agencies, nor to any communications common carrier utilizing service observing or random monitoring pursuant to § 19.2-62.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 1991
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Leitman v. McAusland (Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 1991, 934 F.2d 46)“…transcript could not be admitted into evidence pursuant to Va.Code § 8.01-420.2. 5 A state evidentiary rule, such as…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Virginia Dashcam Laws: Installation, Audio, and Evidence Rules, Virginia Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules
Code of Virginia, Title 59.1: Trade and Commerce
§ 59.1-577Personal data rights; consumersIn forcecited in 7 of our articles
A. A consumer may invoke the consumer rights authorized pursuant to this subsection at any time by submitting a request to a controller specifying the consumer rights the consumer wishes to invoke. A known child's parent or legal guardian may invoke such consumer rights on behalf of the child regarding processing personal data belonging to the known child. A controller shall comply with an authenticated consumer request to exercise the right: 1. To confirm whether or not a controller is processing the consumer's personal data and to access such personal data; 2. To correct inaccuracies in the consumer's personal data, taking into account the nature of the personal data and the purposes of the processing of the consumer's personal data; 3. To delete personal data provided by or obtained about the consumer; 4. To obtain a copy of the consumer's personal data that the consumer previously provided to the controller in a portable and, to the extent technically feasible, readily usable format that allows the consumer to transmit the data to another controller without hindrance, where the processing is carried out by automated means; and 5.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Eweka (District Court, E.D. Virginia 2025)“…e the VCDPA protects consumer’s private personal data, see Va Code Ann. § 59.1-577, it explicitly gives Virginia’s Attorne…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: How to Submit a Data Deletion Request (2026), Virginia Data Privacy Laws: VCDPA Consumer Rights Guide (2026), Virginia Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
§ 59.1-575DefinitionsIn forcecited in 8 of our articles
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Affiliate" means a legal entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another legal entity or shares common branding with another legal entity. For the purposes of this definition, "control" or "controlled" means (i) ownership of, or the power to vote, more than 50 percent of the outstanding shares of any class of voting security of a company; (ii) control in any manner over the election of a majority of the directors or of individuals exercising similar functions; or (iii) the power to exercise controlling influence over the management of a company. "Authenticate" means verifying through reasonable means that the consumer, entitled to exercise his consumer rights in § 59.1-577, is the same consumer exercising such consumer rights with respect to the personal data at issue. "Biometric data" means data generated by automatic measurements of an individual's biological characteristics, such as a fingerprint, voiceprint, eye retinas, irises, or other unique biological patterns or characteristics that is used to identify a specific individual.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Also relied on in: VCDPA Compliance Checklist for Businesses (2026), VCDPA Consumer Rights: Exercise Your Virginia Privacy Rights, What Is the VCDPA? Virginia's Data Privacy Law Explained
§ 59.1-584Enforcement; civil penalty; expensesIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
A. The Attorney General shall have exclusive authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter. B. Prior to initiating any action under this chapter, the Attorney General shall provide a controller or processor 30 days' written notice identifying the specific provisions of this chapter the Attorney General alleges have been or are being violated. If within the 30-day period the controller or processor cures the noticed violation and provides the Attorney General an express written statement that the alleged violations have been cured and that no further violations shall occur, no action shall be initiated against the controller or processor. C. If a controller or processor continues to violate this chapter following the cure period in subsection B or breaches an express written statement provided to the Attorney General under that subsection, the Attorney General may initiate an action in the name of the Commonwealth and may seek an injunction to restrain any violations of this chapter and civil penalties of up to $7,500 for each violation under this chapter.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Eweka (District Court, E.D. Virginia 2025)“…neral the “exclusive authority” to enforce its provisions, Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-584. Second, Plaintiff has not plausi…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Code of Virginia, Title 55.1: Property and Conveyances
§ 55.1-1800DefinitionsIn force
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Association" means the property owners' association. "Board of directors" means the executive body of a property owners' association or a committee that is exercising the power of the executive body by resolution or bylaw. "Capital components" means those items, whether or not a part of the common area, for which the association has the obligation for repair, replacement, or restoration and for which the board of directors determines funding is necessary. "Common area" means property within a development which is owned, leased, or required by the declaration to be maintained or operated by a property owners' association for the use of its members and designated as a common area in the declaration. "Common interest community" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-2345. "Common interest community manager" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-2345. "Declarant" means the person or entity signing the declaration and its successors or assigns who may submit property to a declaration.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- West Neck Community Association, Inc. v. JBWK, LLC (District Court, E.D. Virginia 2025)“…action under the Virginia Property Owners’ Association Act. Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1800, et seq. The Association argues it is e…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 55.1-1900DefinitionsIn force
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Capital components" means those items, whether or not a part of the common elements, for which the unit owners' association has the obligation for repair, replacement, or restoration and for which the executive board determines funding is necessary. "Common elements" means all portions of the condominium other than the units. "Common expenses" means all expenditures lawfully made or incurred by or on behalf of the unit owners' association, together with all funds lawfully assessed for the creation or maintenance of reserves pursuant to the provisions of the condominium instruments. "Common interest community manager" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-2345. "Condominium" means real property, and any incidents to or interests in such real property, lawfully subject to this chapter by the recordation of condominium instruments pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. No project shall be deemed a condominium within the meaning of this chapter unless the undivided interests in the common elements are vested in the unit owners.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
§ 55.1-1200DefinitionsIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Action" means any recoupment, counterclaim, setoff, or other civil action and any other proceeding in which rights are determined, including actions for possession, rent, unlawful detainer, unlawful entry, and distress for rent. "Application deposit" means any refundable deposit of money, however denominated, including all money intended to be used as a security deposit under a rental agreement, or property that is paid by a tenant to a landlord for the purpose of being considered as a tenant for a dwelling unit. "Application fee" means any nonrefundable fee that is paid by a tenant to a landlord or managing agent for the purpose of being considered as a tenant for a dwelling unit. "Assignment" means the transfer by any tenant of all interests created by a rental agreement. "Authorized occupant" means a person entitled to occupy a dwelling unit with the consent of the landlord, but who has not signed the rental agreement and therefore does not have the financial obligations as a tenant under the rental agreement.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
Cited in 4 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Broggin v. Atlantic Housing Foundation, Inc. (District Court, W.D. Virginia 2025)“…igations; and enumerating remedies from rental agreements. Va. Code §§ 55.1-1200 et. seg. However, the Virginia Supreme…”
- Andrews v. Brown (District Court, E.D. Virginia 2025)“…l obligations as a tenant under the rental agreement.” See Va. Code § 55.1-1200. Because Mr. Andrews was listed only a…”
- Smith v. 4037 Lamplighter Dr LLC (District Court, E.D. Virginia 2025)“…o make Leveco, the property manager, liable as a landlord. Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1200. Further, the lease that Smith attache…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 55.1-1229Access; consent; correction of nonemergency conditions; relocation of tenant; security systemsIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. 1. The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises; make necessary or agreed-upon repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; supply necessary or agreed-upon services; or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors. 2. If, upon inspection of a dwelling unit during the term of a tenancy, the landlord determines there is a violation by the tenant of § 55.1-1227 or the rental agreement materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning in accordance with § 55.1-1248, the landlord may make such repairs and send the tenant an invoice for payment. If, upon inspection of the dwelling unit during the term of a tenancy, the landlord discovers a violation of the rental agreement, this chapter, or other applicable law, the landlord may send a written notice of termination pursuant to § 55.1-1245. 3.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at law.lis.virginia.gov
United States Code Title 18
§ 2702Voluntary disclosure of customer communications or recordsIn forcecited in 18 of our articles
Except as provided in subsection (b) or (c)— a person or entity providing an electronic communication service to the public shall not knowingly divulge to any person or entity the contents of a communication while in electronic storage by that service; and a person or entity providing remote computing service to the public shall not knowingly divulge to any person or entity the contents of any communication which is carried or maintained on that service— on behalf of, and received by means of electronic transmission from (or created by means of computer processing of communications received by means of electronic transmission from), a subscriber or customer of such service; solely for the purpose of providing storage or computer processing services to such subscriber or customer, if the provider is not authorized to access the contents of any such communications for purposes of providing any services other than storage or computer processing; and a provider of remote computing service or electronic communication service to the public shall not knowingly divulge a record or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service (not including the contents of…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 259 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Freeman v. Directv, Inc. (2006) held Sections 2702 and 2707 do not support secondary liability claims such as aiding and abetting or conspiracy. Alexander v. Verizon Wireless (2017) applied Section 2702(c)(4)'s emergency exception and found a provider's good-faith reliance on a law enforcement request a complete defense.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Matthew Alexander v. Verizon Wireless Services, LL (Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 2017, 875 F.3d 243)✓A detective sent Verizon a certified emergency form after an arson, and Verizon released the subscriber's non-content cell records; the Fifth Circuit applied an objective good faith standard to section 2702(c)(4) and held Verizon statutorily immune from the SCA suit.
- Doe 1 v. AOL LLC (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2009, 552 F.3d 1077)“…rs, alleging violations of federal electronic privacy law, 18 U.S.C. § 2702 (a). A subclass of AOL members who are…”
- Freeman v. Directv, Inc. (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2006, 457 F.3d 1001)✓Users whose message board posts were seized from a website operator and passed to DirecTV sued for aiding and abetting and conspiracy; the Ninth Circuit held sections 2702 and 2707 name who can be liable and do not support secondary liability, affirming dismissal.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Stored Communications Act Explained: 18 U.S.C. § 2701, Georgia Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026, Hawaii Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
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Sources and References
- Va. Code 19.2-62 - Interception of wire, electronic or oral communications(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Va. Code 18.2-130 - Peeping or spying into dwelling or enclosure(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Va. Code 18.2-130.1 - Peeping or spying by electronic device(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Va. Code 18.2-386.1 - Unlawful creation of image of another(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Va. Code 8.01-420.2 - Limitation on use of recorded conversations as evidence(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Virginia Property Owners Association Act (Va. Code 55.1-1800 et seq.)(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Va. Code 55.1-1200 et seq.)(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Va. Code 55.1-1229 - Tenant access, security systems(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (Va. Code 59.1-575 et seq.)(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Va. Code 59.1-577 - Consumer data rights under VCDPA(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Va. Code 19.2-70.3 - Obtaining records from electronic communication services(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- FTC Settlement with Ring LLC - Privacy and security violations(ftc.gov).gov
- FTC Ring Refunds Distribution (2024)(ftc.gov).gov
- Ring Law Enforcement Information Request Guidelines(ring.com)
- Va. Code 55.1-1227 - Tenant to maintain dwelling unit(law.lis.virginia.gov)