In Utah, simply owning and installing security cameras is generally legal. Many homeowners install devices like doorbell cameras and exterior CCTV systems to deter theft and monitor deliveries. Courts usually allow recording of areas that are visible from public or semi-public spaces, think streets, sidewalks, driveways, and open front yards.

However, Utah law also protects people from being recorded where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. That is the key phrase. If a camera is pointed at clearly private spaces and appears to be intentionally capturing your personal life, it may cross from “security” into illegal surveillance.

Understanding where the law draws that line is the first step to deciding whether your neighbor’s setup is annoying but legal or a true privacy violation.

Under Utah law and general privacy principles, your neighbor is usually allowed to:

• Mount cameras on their own home, garage, or fence for security purposes.
• Record what is visible from a public vantage point, including streets, sidewalks, and shared driveways.
• Capture parts of your yard or vehicle in the background, as long as the main purpose is home security, not spying.

These situations rarely qualify as privacy violations because courts see them as part of normal life in a neighborhood: anything clearly visible to the public is generally fair game for video.

By itself, the fact that a camera can see some of your property does not automatically make it illegal.

Cameras become a problem when they target places where you reasonably expect privacy. Utah’s voyeurism and harassment laws can apply when a neighbor’s system is used to watch you, not just protect property.

Red flags include cameras that:

• Point directly into bedroom or bathroom windows.
• Zoom in on the inside of your home through glass doors or uncovered windows.
• Overlook a fully fenced backyard that cannot be seen from the street.
• Appear to track your movements or gatherings intentionally.

Utah’s voyeurism laws make it a crime to record people in private places without consent. If your neighbor is using cameras to observe your family’s private life, especially in areas never meant for public view, that may be more than a “nosy neighbor” issue, it may be unlawful surveillance.

Separately, if the camera is part of a pattern of following, intimidating, or monitoring you, Utah’s stalking and harassment laws may also come into play.

Use this side-by-side chart to quickly see how Utah law tends to treat common camera situations. It is a starting point, not a final ruling, judges and law enforcement will always look at the full picture.

Camera Issue	Generally Legal?	Why It Matters
Doorbell camera aimed at front porch and street	✔️ Usually legal	No strong expectation of privacy in front-facing areas visible to passersby.
Camera shows part of your driveway or front yard	✔️ Often legal	Incidental capture while monitoring the owner’s property is usually allowed.
Camera intentionally aimed into bedroom or bathroom windows	❌ Likely illegal	High expectation of privacy; may violate Utah voyeurism and privacy laws.
Camera overlooking fenced backyard with no street view	❌ Often problematic	Backyards shielded from public view are often treated as private spaces.
Camera records audio of your conversations without consent	❌ Risky	Utah is a one-party consent state; secret audio can trigger separate legal issues.
Camera used to monitor, follow, or intimidate you	❌ Potential harassment/stalking	Pattern of targeted recording can support harassment or stalking complaints.

If your situation looks more like the “❌” examples, it may be time to document what is happening and consider talking with law enforcement or an attorney.

When a camera makes you uncomfortable, it is tempting to react immediately. In Utah, your best move is usually to stay calm, gather facts, and work through a simple sequence of steps:

• 1. Document what you see. Take photos or short clips showing the camera’s location and where it appears to be pointing. Note dates, times, and any suspicious movements (like the lens tracking you).
• 2. Check what is actually visible. Stand in the street or on the sidewalk and see if the same view is available to the public. If the camera only shows what anyone could see, it may be intrusive but still legal.
• 3. Start with a polite conversation. Many neighbors do not realize how far their camera’s field of view extends. Ask if they are willing to adjust the angle, add a privacy mask, or turn off audio.
• 4. Keep notes after each interaction. Write down what was said, any promises made, and whether anything changed afterward. This record can be helpful if the problem escalates.
• 5. Contact law enforcement if private spaces are clearly targeted. If the camera appears aimed at bedrooms, bathrooms, or a hidden backyard, your documentation can help officers decide whether Utah privacy, voyeurism, or harassment laws are being violated.
• 6. Consider civil options or mediation. HOAs, community mediation services, or a Utah attorney can sometimes resolve standoffs that police are reluctant to treat as criminal cases.

Taking these steps in order helps you build a clear record and often resolves the issue long before a judge or officer ever needs to get involved.

Use this quick checklist as a gut-check. The more boxes you tick, the more likely it is that the situation deserves closer legal attention:

• ☐ The camera appears to record inside your home through windows or doors.
• ☐ It overlooks a fenced or hidden backyard that cannot be seen from the street.
• ☐ The camera moves or zooms to follow you or your guests.
• ☐ You suspect that audio of your conversations is being recorded without anyone’s consent.
• ☐ You feel targeted, monitored, or intimidated rather than protected as a neighbor.
• ☐ There is a pattern of hostile behavior alongside the camera use.

Checking one box does not guarantee a crime, but checking several is a strong signal to document everything carefully and consider talking with law enforcement or a Utah attorney.