Vermont
Vermont Laws on Recording in Public
Vermont has no statute restricting recording in public places where no reasonable expectation of privacy exists. The First Amendment protects filming streets, parks, and government proceedings. For audio, federal one-party consent under 18 U.S.C. 2511 applies when you participate in the conversation.
Vermont broadly permits recording in public. No state statute prohibits filming in areas without a reasonable privacy expectation. The First Amendment and Vermont's Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. 310-314) provide additional protections.
Public Recording Rights
You can film on streets, sidewalks, parks, government buildings, and at public events. No press credential required. State v. Brooks confirmed no privacy expectation in public settings.
Government Meetings
Act 133 (2024) requires public bodies to record meetings and post recordings for at least 30 days. Act 51 (effective June 9, 2025) updated posting deadlines. The public can record selectboard, city council, school board, and legislative meetings.
Audio in Public
Federal one-party consent applies. If you participate in a conversation, you can record. Public conversations at normal volume carry no privacy expectation.
Private Property
Businesses can set recording rules and ask you to leave. Religious venues and entertainment facilities may restrict recording. Footage captured before being asked to stop is generally legal.
Drone Recording
Drone recording in public is generally permitted subject to FAA rules. Do not record private areas with privacy expectations.
More Vermont 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
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record in public in Vermont?
Yes. No statute prohibits public recording. The First Amendment protects this activity.
Can I record a government meeting in Vermont?
Yes. The Open Meeting Law requires public bodies to record meetings and allows public recording.
Can a store tell me to stop recording?
Yes. Businesses are private property. Footage captured before the request is generally legal.
Can I use a drone to record in public?
Yes, subject to FAA rules. Do not record private areas with privacy expectations.
Do I need permission to photograph people in public?
No. Voyeuristic recording under clothing is prohibited (13 V.S.A. 2605), but standard public photography is legal.
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on 2 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
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 59: Lewdness and Prostitution, Subchapter: LEWD AND INDECENT CONDUCT
§ 2605VoyeurismIn forcecited in 13 of our articles
(a) As used in this section: (1) “Bona fide private investigator or bona fide security guard” means an individual lawfully providing services, whether licensed or unlicensed, pursuant to 26 V.S.A. §§ 3151 and 3151a. (2) “Female breast” means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola. (3) “Circumstances in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that his or her intimate areas would not be visible to the public, regardless of whether that person is in a public or private area. This definition includes circumstances in which a person knowingly disrobes in front of another, but does not expect nor give consent for the other person to photograph, film, or record his or her intimate areas. (4) “Intimate areas” means the naked or undergarment-clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of a person.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont Medical Recording Laws, Vermont School Recording Laws, Vermont Security Camera Laws
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Sources and References
- Vermont Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. 310-314)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2605 -- Voyeurism(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 2511 -- Federal Wiretap Act(law.cornell.edu)