Utah
Utah Video Recording Laws
Silent video recording in public spaces is legal in Utah without restriction. When your camera captures audio of a conversation you are part of, Utah Code 77-23a-4 permits that recording under one-party consent. Utah Code 76-9-702.7 prohibits secret recording in locations where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Utah allows video recording in public spaces without restriction. There is no state statute that broadly prohibits filming in areas where people have no reasonable expectation of privacy. Utah's voyeurism statute (76-9-702.7, renumbered during the 2025 criminal code recodification) creates strict limits on video recording in private settings.
This guide explains where you can and cannot use video cameras in Utah, privacy expectations, and criminal penalties for violations.
Public Video Recording in Utah
Your Right to Record in Public
Utah does not restrict video recording in public locations. You can film on public streets, sidewalks, parks, government buildings open to the public, and at public events. Video-only recording in public does not implicate Utah's wiretapping statute (77-23a-4), which focuses on audio interception.
When Public Recording Includes Audio
If your video camera captures audio, Utah's one-party consent rule applies. As long as you participate in any conversation being recorded, the audio is lawful.
Video Recording in Private Places
Utah's Voyeurism Statute (76-9-702.7)
Under Utah Code Ann. 76-9-702.7, a person is guilty of voyeurism who intentionally uses technology to secretly record an individual for the purpose of viewing any portion of the individual's body regarding which they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without their knowledge or consent, and under circumstances where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Penalties for Voyeuristic Recording
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Voyeuristic recording | Class A Misdemeanor | 1 year jail |
| Distribution of voyeuristic images | Third Degree Felony | 5 years prison |
| Distribution involving child under 14 | Second Degree Felony | 15 years prison |
2025 Criminal Code Recodification
Effective May 7, 2025, Utah completed a major recodification of its criminal code. The voyeurism statute (76-9-702.7) and related privacy provisions in Title 76, Chapter 9 were renumbered. The substantive requirements and penalties remained the same.
Video Recording in Specific Settings
Workplace
Employers can install video cameras in common areas but cannot place them in bathrooms, locker rooms, or changing areas. The NLRA restricts surveillance that chills protected concerted activity.
Security Cameras
Homeowners can install cameras on their own property. Cameras should be pointed at your property, not directly at neighbors' private areas.
Dashcams
Dashcams are legal in Utah. Video captured on public roads is lawful.
Government Meetings
Under Utah Code Ann. 52-4-203, public bodies must record their own open meetings and make recordings available within three business days. The public can also make their own recordings.
Using Video as Evidence
Video recordings made legally are generally admissible in Utah courts. Courts evaluate authentication, relevance, chain of custody, and whether probative value outweighs prejudicial effect.
More Utah 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
More Utah Recording Topics
More Utah Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to video record someone in Utah without their consent?
In public spaces, yes. You can video record anyone in public without consent. In private places where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy, secretly recording them violates Utah's voyeurism statute (76-9-702.7).
What are the penalties for voyeuristic video recording in Utah?
Voyeuristic recording is a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to 1 year in jail. Distributing voyeuristic images is a third degree felony (up to 5 years). Distribution involving a child under 14 is a second degree felony (up to 15 years).
Can I record a public meeting in Utah?
Yes. Utah's Open and Public Meetings Act (52-4-203) requires public bodies to record their meetings and allows the public to make their own recordings of open meetings.
Are hidden cameras legal in Utah?
Hidden cameras are illegal in locations where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and bedrooms. In public areas, hidden cameras are not specifically prohibited by state law.
Can I use video as evidence in Utah court?
Yes. Video recordings made in compliance with Utah law are generally admissible. The footage must be authenticated, relevant, and unaltered.
Updates
Audit pass: no accuracy errors found. Utah-specific citations (77-23a-4, 76-9-702.7, le.utah.gov links) verified correct.
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on 3 statutory provisions held in our own legal record, each retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
United States Code Title 18
§ 2511Interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications prohibitedIn forcecited in 365 of our articles
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter any person who— intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any wire, oral, or electronic communication; 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 when— such device is affixed to, or otherwise transmits a signal through, a wire, cable, or other like connection used in wire communication; or such device transmits communications by radio, or interferes with the transmission of such communication; or such person knows, or has reason to know, that such device or any component thereof has been sent through the mail or transported in interstate or foreign commerce; or such use or endeavor to use (A) takes place on the premises of any business or other commercial establishment the operations of which affect interstate or foreign commerce; or (B) obtains or is for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the operations of any business or other commercial establishment the operations of which affect interstate or foreign…
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-28 · Read the full section at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: US Recording Laws by State (2026): All 50 States Explained, Alabama Audio Recording Laws: Consent Rules and Penalties, Alabama Dashcam Laws: Legality, Mounting Rules, and Evidence Use
Utah Code, Title 52: Public Officers
§ 52-4-203Written minutes of open meetings -- Public records -- Recording of meetings.In forcecited in 4 of our articles
(1) Except as provided under Subsection (7), written minutes and a recording shall be kept of all open meetings. (2) (a) Written minutes of an open meeting shall include: (i) the date, time, and place of the meeting; (ii) the names of members present and absent; (iii) the substance of all matters proposed, discussed, or decided by the public body which may include a summary of comments made by members of the public body; (iv) a record, by individual member, of each vote taken by the public body; (v) the name of each person who: (A) is not a member of the public body; and (B) after being recognized by the presiding member of the public body, provided testimony or comments to the public body; (vi) the substance, in brief, of the testimony or comments provided by the public under Subsection (2)(a)(v); and (vii) any other information that is a record of the proceedings of the meeting that any member requests be entered in the minutes or recording.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at le.utah.gov
Also relied on in: Utah Laws on Recording Police, Utah Laws on Recording in Public, Utah School Recording Laws
Utah Code, Title 77: Criminal Procedure
§ 77-23a-4Offenses -- Criminal and civil -- Lawful interception.In forcecited in 19 of our articles
(1) (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, any person who violates Subsection (1)(b) is guilty of an offense and is subject to punishment under Subsection (10), or when applicable, the person is subject to civil action under Subsection (11). (b) A person commits a violation of this subsection who: (i) intentionally or knowingly intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept any wire, electronic, or oral communication; (ii) intentionally or knowingly 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, when the device is affixed to, or otherwise transmits a signal through a wire, cable, or other like connection used in wire communication or when the device transmits communications by radio, or interferes with the transmission of the communication; (iii) intentionally or knowingly 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,…
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at le.utah.gov
Also relied on in: Utah Smart Glasses Recording Laws (2026), Utah AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026), Utah Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
Search our full record of US law — 1.79 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- Utah Code Ann. 76-9-702.7 -- Voyeurism Offenses(le.utah.gov).gov
- Utah Code Ann. 77-23a-4 -- Interception of Communications(le.utah.gov).gov
- Utah Code Ann. 52-4-203 -- Open and Public Meetings Act(le.utah.gov).gov
- National Labor Relations Act(nlrb.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 2511 -- Federal Wiretap Act(law.cornell.edu)