Maine
Maine Video Recording Laws: Public Filming, Private Property, and Consent (2026)
In Maine, video-only recording in public spaces is legal and requires no consent. Adding audio triggers one-party consent rules under 15 M.R.S.A. section 710. Recording in private spaces where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms or bedrooms, is prohibited under Maine's voyeurism statute.
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 |
Federal TAKE IT DOWN Act
The TAKE IT DOWN Act (Pub. L. 119-12, signed May 19, 2025; effective May 19, 2026) imposes a federal obligation on covered online platforms to remove non-consensual intimate imagery -- including AI-generated deepfakes -- within 48 hours of a victim's takedown notice. The Act applies alongside Maine state law on non-consensual intimate images (17-A M.R.S.A. section 511-A, as amended by LD 1944 / PL 2025, c. 400 to cover synthetic imagery). Victims can pursue both Maine criminal charges and federal takedown mechanisms.
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 AI Meeting Recording Laws
- Maine Alimony Laws
- Maine At-Will Employment Laws
- Maine Car Accident Laws
- Maine Car Seat Laws
- Maine Child Custody Laws
- Maine Child Support Laws
- Maine Common Law Marriage Laws
- Maine Data Privacy Laws
- Maine Deepfake Laws
- Maine Divorce Laws
- Maine Dog Bite Laws
- Maine Emancipation Laws
- Maine Expungement Laws
- Maine Hit and Run Laws
- Maine Landlord-Tenant 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
More Maine Recording Topics
- Maine Recording Laws
- Maine Audio Recording
- Maine Medical Recording
- Maine Schools Recording
- Maine Workplace Recording
- Maine Police Recording
- Maine Phone Calls Recording
- Maine Security Cameras Recording
- Maine Voyeurism Recording
- Maine Landlord Tenant Recording
- Maine Dashcam Recording
- Maine Public Recording Recording
- Maine Biometric Privacy Laws
- Surveillance Camera Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I video record someone in public in Maine without their consent?
Yes. Video-only recording in public spaces requires no consent. People in public have a reduced expectation of privacy. However, if your video captures audio of conversations, Maine one-party consent law applies and you must be a participant in any conversation recorded.
Is it illegal to video record someone in their home in Maine?
Recording someone in their home without their knowledge or consent violates Maine's voyeurism law (17-A M.R.S.A. section 511) if the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. This is a criminal offense that can result in up to 1 year in jail for adults and up to 5 years for recordings involving minors.
Can I post videos of people on social media in Maine?
Videos captured in public spaces can generally be shared on social media. However, videos of people in private settings require consent. Sharing video with intent to harass could support a criminal harassment charge under 17-A M.R.S.A. section 506-A.
Can my [employer video record](/can-an-employer-record-conversations-without-consent) me at work in Maine?
Yes, employers can use video cameras in common work areas for security purposes. Cameras are prohibited in restrooms, changing areas, and other locations where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Maine does not have a specific workplace video surveillance statute.
Can video recordings be used as evidence in Maine courts?
Yes. Video recordings are admissible when properly authenticated. The offering party must show the footage is genuine, unaltered, relevant, and accurately depicts the events captured. Both legally and illegally obtained videos may be challenged on admissibility grounds.
Sources and References
- 15 M.R.S.A. section 710 - Interception of Communications (Maine Legislature)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 17-A M.R.S.A. section 511 - Voyeurism (Maine Legislature)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 14 M.R.S.A. section 8001 - Drone Regulations (Maine Legislature)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems(faa.gov).gov