For a typical home, there is generally no statewide law in New York that requires you to post a sign saying you have security cameras, but signs are still a smart idea because they deter some intruders, avoid surprises and help show you acted in good faith. For businesses, notice is strongly recommended, and in some situations specific rules apply. In New York City, commercial establishments that collect, retain, convert, store or share customers' biometric identifier information must post a clear and conspicuous sign near all customer entrances. Nothing here replaces advice from a New York attorney about your own situation.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
1. The Short Version
| Situation | General answer |
|---|---|
| Home with cameras on the outside | No general statewide sign requirement, but signs are recommended. |
| Home with indoor cameras | Tell everyone who lives in or visits. Signs are optional but considered fair. |
| Retail store or restaurant | Signs recommended. Special rules apply if you collect biometric data in NYC. |
| Workplace | Written policy and notice strongly recommended. |
| Landlord with common-area cameras | Notice recommended. |
| Facial recognition in a NYC commercial establishment | Sign required under NYC's biometric law, if the covered conditions apply. |
| Audio recording | A sign alone may not make audio recording lawful. Get legal advice. |
2. Why Signs Are a Good Idea Anyway
Deterrence. Some would-be thieves see a camera sign and move on.
Transparency. Visitors, workers and neighbors know cameras are in use.
Fewer disputes. People who know about cameras are less likely to object later.
Evidence of good faith. If a question ever arises, a sign shows you did not try to hide the system.
Insurance and landlords. Some insurers and landlords like signs.
Consistency. In businesses, signs plus a written policy signal a professional approach.
3. The NYC Biometric Rule
NYC has a law about biometric identifier information collected by commercial establishments. According to a legal summary, it took effect July 9, 2021, and it requires covered commercial establishments, defined as places of entertainment, retail stores and food and drink establishments, that collect, retain, convert, store or share customers' biometric identifier information to post a clear and conspicuous sign near all customer entrances in plain, simple language. The city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection provides guidance and a sample sign, which you can find through the DCWP pages on nyc.gov. The law also restricts selling, leasing or trading biometric information, and it allows private lawsuits, with specified damages and a 30-day notice and cure process for sign violations.
Importantly, photographs or video not analyzed by software that identifies people by physiological or biological characteristics are generally not treated as biometric identifier information under that summary. A normal security camera that just records video is not the same as a facial recognition system. If you use facial recognition, fingerprint scanners, voiceprints or similar technology, get legal advice. Our guide on facial recognition and NYC's biometric rule covers it in more detail.
4. Workplace Notice
New York has no single statute requiring signs for every workplace camera, but telling employees is widely recommended. Labor Law section 203-c prohibits employers from recording employees in restrooms, locker rooms and rooms designated for changing, as shown at nysenate.gov. A written policy, handbook language and visible signs all help. See our guide to workplace cameras.
5. Signs Do Not Fix Audio Problems
A common misconception is that a sign saying "audio and video recording in progress" makes audio recording lawful. It might help in some contexts, but it does not guarantee compliance with New York's eavesdropping law. Penal Law section 250.05 makes eavesdropping a class E felony, and section 250.00 defines mechanical overhearing of a conversation as intentionally recording a conversation by someone not present, without the consent of at least one party. If you want audio, ask an attorney. Otherwise, turn audio off. See our audio guide.
6. Where to Put Signs
- At the main entrance, at eye level.
- At side and rear entrances.
- On gates and fences.
- At parking lot entrances.
- On the front door or window of a business.
- Near a door camera or doorbell.
- In multi-family buildings, at entrances and common areas with cameras.
Signs should be readable, weatherproof and not hidden behind other items.
7. Wording Ideas
Choose simple, accurate language.
- "Video surveillance in use."
- "This property is monitored by video cameras."
- "Smile, you're on camera."
- "Premises protected by video surveillance. Footage may be provided to law enforcement."
Avoid claims you cannot support, such as "monitored 24/7" if no one is watching live, or "police are notified automatically" if they are not. False claims can mislead people and create liability. If you use alarm monitoring, say so accurately.
For a business that uses biometrics in NYC, use the city's guidance and a sample sign, and ask your attorney to review.
8. Fake Signs and Fake Cameras
A sign without a camera, or a dummy camera, may deter some people but can create a false sense of security. If someone relies on your sign and gets hurt, you could face questions. If you post a sign, have a working system.
9. Co-ops, Condos and Rentals
If you live in a co-op, condo or rental, check your building rules before posting signs on doors, windows or common areas. Landlords and boards may have rules about signage. Landlords who install cameras in common areas should post notice at entrances. See our guides to landlord cameras and co-op approvals.
10. News Context
Cameras and signs are usually part of the deterrence story. In February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from a Staten Island doorstep to help identify three young men who tried to enter three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. The report did not say whether signs were present. In Brooklyn in March 2026, News 12 reported on video showing home break-ins a few blocks apart in Sheepshead Bay and Gravesend. A sign cannot stop a determined intruder, but it is an inexpensive layer.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% and retail theft down 15% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).
11. Size, Color and Durability
A sign only works if people notice it. For doors and gates, a sign about 6 by 9 inches or larger with high-contrast lettering is easy to read from a few feet away. Outdoor signs should be made from weatherproof material, such as aluminum or UV-resistant plastic, and mounted firmly so they do not rattle or fall in storms. Place signs at eye level for people approaching on foot and at a visible height for drivers entering a lot. If you have multiple languages in your community, consider bilingual signs. Replace signs that fade or crack, since a worn sign suggests a neglected system, and a sign that is missing after a storm or renovation should be put back promptly.
12. A Simple Signage Checklist
- Post signs at all main entrances.
- Keep wording accurate and simple.
- Turn off audio unless you have legal advice.
- If you use biometrics in NYC, follow the city's sign requirement.
- Tell employees and tenants in writing.
- Replace damaged or faded signs.
- Keep a photo of your signs for your records.
13. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Do you provide signs with the system?
- Can you help me place them where they are visible?
- Is audio off by default?
- Does the system use any facial recognition?
- Can you give me a camera map for my records?
- What wording do you recommend?
See our local pages for security camera installation in Brooklyn, the Bronx, business installation in Manhattan and our services page.
Not sure where signs should go? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
14. When to Ask a Lawyer
Ask an attorney if you plan to use facial recognition or other biometrics, record audio, operate in a regulated industry, manage a multi-family building, are in a union workplace or are responding to a complaint. A short consultation is inexpensive compared with the risk.
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
Is a security camera sign required in New York? There is no general statewide requirement for a home sign. Signs are recommended. Special rules apply for NYC commercial establishments that collect biometric data.
Do I need a sign for a video doorbell? Not generally, but a small sign is a good idea.
Does a sign make audio recording legal? Not necessarily. Get legal advice before recording audio.
Do businesses have to post signs? Notice is strongly recommended. NYC has a specific sign rule for certain biometric data practices.
Can I use a fake camera sign? It can deter some people, but it can also create a false sense of security. Use signs with a working system.
Where should I put signs? At entrances, gates and near cameras, at eye level and visible.
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.