Vermont
Vermont Video Recording Laws
Vermont permits video recording in public spaces without restriction. No state statute bars filming on streets, in parks, or at government meetings. The voyeurism statute (13 V.S.A. 2605) makes it a crime to record someone's intimate areas without consent in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Vermont allows video recording in public without restriction. The state's voyeurism statute (13 V.S.A. 2605) creates limits in private settings, and the nonconsensual intimate images law (13 V.S.A. 2606) prohibits sharing private images without consent.
This guide covers public filming rights, voyeurism penalties, the Open Meeting Law, and how Vermont case law defines privacy expectations for video.
Public Video Recording
No Vermont statute prohibits video recording in public. You can film on streets, sidewalks, parks, government buildings, and at public events. Video-only recording does not implicate federal wiretap law, which focuses on audio interception.
Voyeurism (13 V.S.A. 2605)
It is a crime to intentionally view, photograph, film, or record a person's intimate areas without consent where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
| Offense | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| First offense | 2 years, $1,000 fine |
| Second or subsequent | 3 years, $5,000 fine |
| Involving minors | 5 years, $5,000 fine |
Nonconsensual Intimate Images (13 V.S.A. 2606)
| Offense | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| Disclosure without consent | 2 years, $2,000 fine |
| Disclosure for profit | 5 years, $10,000 fine |
2024 Deepfake Amendment
Act 161 of 2024 (H.878), signed June 6, 2024, amended 13 V.S.A. 2606 to expressly cover digitized and synthetic intimate images. AI-generated deepfakes that depict an identifiable person in a sexual manner fall within the statute.
Federal TAKE IT DOWN Act
The TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed May 19, 2026, requires online platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate imagery -- including AI-generated deepfakes -- within 48 hours of a victim's request. This operates alongside Vermont's 13 V.S.A. 2606 and provides an additional federal removal remedy.
Open Meeting Law
Vermont Act 133 (2024) requires public bodies to record their meetings and post recordings for at least 30 days. Vermont Act 51 (effective June 9, 2025) updated posting deadlines. The public can record selectboard, city council, school board, and state legislative meetings.
Privacy Expectations (Case Law)
- Public parking lot -- No privacy (State v. Brooks)
- Hospital ER -- No privacy (State v. Rheaume)
- Private home -- Privacy protected (State v. Geraw)
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
Is it legal to video record someone in Vermont without consent?
In public, yes. In private places, 13 V.S.A. 2605 prohibits recording someone's intimate areas without consent where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
What are the penalties for voyeurism in Vermont?
First offense: up to 2 years and $1,000 fine. Second offense: up to 3 years and $5,000 fine. Involving minors: up to 5 years and $5,000 fine.
Does Vermont law cover deepfake videos?
Yes. Act 161 of 2024 amended 13 V.S.A. 2606 to cover digitized and synthetic intimate images including AI-generated deepfakes. The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act (May 2026) also requires platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim's request.
Can I record a public meeting in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont's Open Meeting Law protects public recording of government meetings. Public bodies must also make their own recordings available.
Is sharing intimate images without consent illegal in Vermont?
Yes. Under 13 V.S.A. 2606, nonconsensual disclosure carries up to 2 years. Disclosure for profit carries up to 5 years. AI-generated deepfakes are expressly covered under the 2024 amendment.
Can I use video as evidence in Vermont court?
Yes. Lawfully recorded video is generally admissible. Authentication, relevance, and chain of custody requirements apply.
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
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 Laws on Recording in Public, Vermont School Recording Laws
§ 2606Disclosure of sexually explicit images without consentIn forcecited in 8 of our articles
(a) As used in this section: (1) “Disclose” includes transfer, publish, distribute, exhibit, or reproduce. (2) “Harm” means physical injury, financial injury, or serious emotional distress. (3) “Nude” means any one or more of the following uncovered parts of the human body: (A) genitals; (B) pubic area; (C) anus; or (D) post-pubescent female nipple. (4) “Sexual conduct” shall have the same meaning as in section 2821 of this title. (5) “Visual image” includes a photograph, film, videotape, recording, or digital reproduction, including an image created or altered by digitization. (6) “Digitization” means the process of altering an image in a realistic manner utilizing an image or images of a person, including images other than the person depicted, or computer-generated images. (b)(1) A person violates this section if the person knowingly discloses a visual image of an identifiable person who is nude or who is engaged in sexual conduct, without the person’s consent, with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the person depicted, and the disclosure would cause a reasonable person to suffer harm.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont Smart Glasses Recording Laws 2025
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Sources and References
- 13 V.S.A. 2605 -- Voyeurism(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2606 -- Nonconsensual Disclosure of Intimate Images(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Act 161 of 2024 (H.878) -- Deepfake Amendment(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Vermont Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. 310-314)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 2511 -- Federal Wiretap Act(law.cornell.edu)