In a New York City co-op, you own shares in a corporation and hold a proprietary lease, and the board and managing agent control the building's common areas and exterior. That means cameras inside your own apartment are usually your decision, but anything that touches the hallway, the apartment door, a terrace, a window facing outward or the facade generally needs board approval, and many boards also want an alteration agreement and insurance paperwork even for small projects. The best way to avoid delays is to ask early, in writing, with a clear plan.
This guide walks through how co-op approvals usually work, what boards worry about and how to put together a request that gets a faster answer. It is general information, not legal advice. Your proprietary lease, house rules and building policies control, so read yours.
1. The Short Version
| Camera or project | Likely need for board involvement |
|---|---|
| Plug-in or battery camera inside your apartment, no drilling | Often none, but read the house rules. |
| Camera aimed at your door from inside | Usually none, but avoid capturing the hallway. |
| Video doorbell or door-mounted camera | Often requires approval. The door may be building property. |
| Camera that records the hallway | Likely requires approval and may be refused. |
| Terrace or balcony camera | Often requires approval. Terraces can be limited common elements. |
| Window-mounted camera aimed outward | May require approval. |
| Wired system with drilling or cable through walls | Typically requires an alteration agreement. |
| Facade or exterior camera | Board approval, and possibly landmark review. |
| Smart lock or key replacement | Often requires approval and key control. |
2. Why Boards Care
Boards are responsible for the whole building, so they weigh benefits and risks:
Privacy of other shareholders. Cameras that capture neighbors' doors or windows invite complaints.
Liability. If a camera system is poorly installed or misused, the corporation may be pulled in.
Building integrity. Drilling through walls, doors or the facade can affect fire ratings, waterproofing and structural elements.
Consistency. If one shareholder gets a hallway camera, others will ask. Boards prefer consistent policies.
Insurance. Contractors should carry insurance naming the building and its agents.
Aesthetics and landmarks. Visible exterior changes may need approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission in historic districts.
Security. Many boards actually want more security and may welcome a well-designed plan.
3. How the Process Usually Works
- Read your documents. Check the proprietary lease, house rules and alteration policy.
- Contact the managing agent. Ask whether your project needs approval and what forms are required.
- Prepare a short plan. Describe what, where, how and by whom.
- Collect paperwork. An installer's insurance certificate, a scope of work and product details.
- Submit the request. Follow the building's process, often by email or form.
- Wait for approval. Boards may meet monthly. Ask about timing.
- Schedule work. Book elevator time and follow work-hour rules.
- Complete and document. Keep approvals, invoices and photos.
4. What to Include in Your Request
A strong request includes:
- Your name, unit and contact information.
- A short description: "Install one wireless camera inside my apartment aimed at my entry door" or "Install a wired camera system with two interior cameras."
- Locations of each device and whether any drilling or cable work is involved.
- Product information: model, whether it records audio and where video is stored.
- A statement that audio is disabled.
- A statement that cameras will not capture neighbors' doors, windows or common areas, or how privacy masking will be used.
- The installer's name, license information where applicable and a certificate of insurance.
- Proposed work dates and hours consistent with building rules.
- A commitment to repair any damage and to remove equipment when you leave, if required.
Revolvis can provide documentation, a scope of work and a certificate of insurance to help your request.
5. Sample Request Email
Subject: Request to install interior security camera, Unit 5C
Dear [Managing Agent],
I would like to install one small camera inside my apartment, aimed at my entry door from within the unit. It will not record audio and will not capture the hallway. The camera is wireless, requires no drilling and can be removed when I move. Please let me know whether board approval or an alteration agreement is required, and what documentation you need. I can provide product details and, if needed, an installer's insurance certificate. Thank you.
Adjust the details to your project. Short, specific requests tend to be answered faster than vague ones.
6. If the Board Says No
You can ask why and propose alternatives, such as a camera inside the apartment, a door alarm, a doorbell chime or a request to improve building security with lobby cameras or lighting. Boards may be more open to a modified plan. If you believe a decision is unreasonable, speak with an attorney experienced in co-op law. Do not install in violation of the lease, which can lead to default notices and costly disputes.
7. Board-Led Projects: Lobby and Common-Area Systems
Sometimes the better route is for the board itself to install cameras in the lobby, hallways, mailroom, basement and roof. This benefits all shareholders and avoids dozens of individual installations. A board project should include a written camera policy covering locations, retention, access, notices and police requests. Costs for building systems are covered in our apartment building camera cost guide. If you serve on a board, consider:
- A security assessment and written scope.
- At least two itemized bids.
- Insurance and licensing review of contractors.
- Privacy masks to avoid looking into apartments.
- A policy for who can view footage and how requests are handled.
- A plan for maintenance and storage.
8. Privacy and Legal Basics
Whatever the board decides, certain basics apply. Penal Law section 250.45, available at nysenate.gov, is a class E felony covering secret recording in private settings such as bedrooms, restrooms and changing rooms without consent. Audio is regulated separately under Penal Law section 250.05. Turn off audio unless you have legal advice. See our guides to audio recording and to where cameras are illegal.
9. Smart Locks and Key Control
Many shareholders want smart locks along with cameras. Boards often care about key control and emergency access. They may require a master key, a keybox for the super or a lock type that meets fire and building codes. Ask about this early. Our smart lock and keyless entry pages explain options, and you can see local details at smart lock installation in Manhattan.
10. News Context
Package theft and building entry are common concerns that boards hear about. A 2022 New Jersey law made delivered-package theft a third-degree crime regardless of value, according to NJ 101.5, which shows how seriously some lawmakers treat the problem. New York has its own laws, so verify current rules. NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% and grand larceny down 12.4% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). Boards should make decisions based on their building's real risks, not headlines.
11. Timelines and Costs
Approval can take days to several weeks, depending on how often the board meets and how complex the request is. Installation of a small interior system typically takes a few hours to a day. Building-related paperwork, elevator reservations and insurance certificates may add cost. In 2026, a one- to four-camera apartment project commonly costs $700 to $3,200 installed, depending on equipment and wiring. See our guide to co-op and condo camera installation costs.
12. Questions to Ask
- What approvals do I need for this project?
- What insurance must the installer carry?
- What are the building's work hours and elevator rules?
- Are there limits on cameras near doors or windows?
- Who keeps records of approvals?
- What happens when I sell my apartment?
See our local pages for residential camera installation in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and smart lock installation in Manhattan.
Not sure what your building will allow? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
13. When You Sell
Buyers and their attorneys sometimes ask about alterations and approvals. Keep your approval letters, installer invoices and equipment records in one file. If the camera system is portable, decide whether to take it or leave it. If you installed anything wired, make sure the alteration is documented, so it does not become an issue at closing.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need co-op board approval to install a camera in my apartment? Not always. Interior cameras that need no drilling often do not, but anything involving the door, hallway, terrace, windows facing out or the exterior commonly does. Check your documents.
Can a co-op board ban cameras? Boards can set reasonable rules for common areas and alterations. If you disagree with a decision, consult an attorney.
What does an installer need to provide? Usually a certificate of insurance, a scope of work and product details.
How long does approval take? It varies, from days to weeks.
Can I put a camera in the hallway? Hallways are common areas. Most boards restrict or prohibit it.
Can the board install cameras in the lobby? Yes, boards commonly do. Good policies protect privacy.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.