Know your rights
Recording in public
General educational notes on photographing and filming what is in plain view from publicly accessible places, with jurisdiction caveats.
Educational information only. Laws vary by jurisdiction; this is not legal advice.
The general idea
In many parts of the United States, people photograph and film scenes that are visible from streets, sidewalks, and other places open to the public. That practice is often discussed as part of free-speech and press activity. It is not a blank check.
This page is educational information, not legal advice. Court decisions and statutes vary by circuit, state, and city. Verify current rules where you are standing.
What this is not
Recording in public is not a license to trespass, to enter marked restricted areas, or to interfere with emergency response, court security, or lawful safety instructions.
Audio recording can be regulated differently from silent video. Some states require consent of more than one party to a private conversation. Do not assume the rule from a neighboring state applies.
Time, place, and manner
Even where photography from a public sidewalk is generally allowed, governments may enforce reasonable time, place, and manner limits that are content-neutral—for example, blocking a fire lane or staging inside a working courtroom.
See the dedicated page on time, place, and manner restrictions for a longer discussion.
Last reviewed 2026-08-29 · verify before relying on this page