Laundromat Security Cameras: Layout and Placement Guide for NYC and NJ

Laundromats are community places: long hours, plenty of foot traffic, change machines, card readers, washers and dryers and a lot of other people's clothes. Common problems include clothing theft from machines and tables, vandalism of equipment, break-ins to coin boxes and change machines, disputes over lost items and conflicts among customers. Many laundromats have few staff, or none, and open late. Cameras are a practical way to cover the space, but customers are doing something private, handling their clothes, so placement and notice matter. This guide explains how to lay out cameras in a laundromat in New York and New Jersey: where to point them, where not to, how to protect machines and cash and what a sensible system costs.

This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to your attorney and insurer about customer property, recording and notice.

1. The Short Version

2. What Laundromats Face

The most common complaint is stolen laundry: a customer steps away and returns to find clothes gone. Vandalism, coin box theft, card reader tampering and break-ins also occur. Late-night customers may feel unsafe. Machines break and customers claim refunds. Cameras reduce theft and resolve disputes. Our guide on camera placement explains how to plan coverage.

3. The Entrance

A face-level camera at the door captures everyone entering. A second camera covers the sidewalk and storefront. Windows cause glare; use wide dynamic range cameras. A visible monitor near the door showing the camera feed deters theft. Post a sign that video is in use. Our local pages on commercial camera installation in the Bronx and business camera installation in Brooklyn describe typical storefront setups.

4. Change Machines and Card Readers

Change machines and card readers hold cash and are targets for tampering. Cover them with cameras that show faces and hands. Use tamper alerts and strong locks. Collect cash regularly and do not leave large amounts overnight. Keep machines in view of the attendant when possible. Our guide on camera and POS integration explains how to link video to transactions.

5. Washers and Dryers

Overview cameras that cover rows of machines show who loads and unloads. Mount them high and aim along the rows. Use wide-angle or multi-sensor cameras. Include numbers on machines so clips can be matched to disputes. Avoid close-ups of customers. Post a sign reminding customers not to leave laundry unattended and that the laundromat is not responsible for lost items, if that is accurate and permitted; check with your attorney.

6. Folding Tables and Waiting Areas

Cover the folding area and waiting chairs with a wide view. People fold personal clothing here, so keep the view general and do not record audio. Never place cameras in restrooms or changing areas. Our guides on camera laws in New York and New Jersey and on audio recording laws explain why aim and notice matter.

7. Attendant Counter

If you have an attendant, cover the counter, register and drop-off laundry area. Wash-and-fold services take customers' clothes, so document intake with photos or tags and a camera on the counter. This helps with claims that items are missing or damaged. Link video to receipts when possible.

8. Back Room, Utilities and Plumbing

The back room has water heaters, gas lines, electrical panels and sometimes stored detergent and supplies. Lock it, limit access and cover the door with a camera. Install leak sensors and shutoff valves. Gas safety is important; follow local rules and have equipment inspected. Water damage can be costly, so alert on leaks as seriously as on break-ins. Our guide on smart home integration explains how sensors and cameras can work together.

9. Late Hours and Customer Safety

Many laundromats open late or 24 hours. Late-night customers may be alone. Good lighting, clear sightlines and a visible camera and monitor help them feel safe. Remove window clutter so police can see inside. Consider an intercom or a panic button. In September 2026, News 12 reported that NYPD was seeking two suspects tied to 19 commercial burglaries across 16 Brooklyn neighborhoods. Storefronts open late are tested by thieves at closing, too.

10. After Hours Alerts

If the laundromat closes, use door contacts, motion alerts and local recording. Keep a visible camera and sign. Decide who receives alerts. In August 2026, according to ABC7, cameras captured a hooded figure with a flashlight in a basement during overnight break-ins at Bay Ridge restaurants. Rear doors and basements deserve attention. Call 911 for emergencies.

11. Retention and Clips

Keep at least 30 days of video, and longer for incidents or claims. Make sure the clock is correct and the owner or manager can export clips. Provide footage to police on request. Our guide on how long to keep footage explains retention.

12. Common Mistakes

• Close-ups of customers folding clothes.
• No camera on the change machine.
• No sign or monitor.
• Recording audio.
• Ignoring leaks and gas safety.
• Cash left in machines.
• Poor lighting.
• No process for lost-item claims.

13. Cost

Planning ranges in 2026: four-camera system for a small laundromat, $1,800 to $4,200; eight-camera system, $3,000 to $7,000; twelve-camera system, $4,800 to $10,000; leak sensors, $30 to $100 each; recorder and storage, $600 to $3,000; exterior camera, $350 to $900. These are planning ranges, not quotes.

14. A Second Data Point

NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). A laundromat's risk is theft of laundry, coin box tampering and late-night safety. Plan around what you see.

15. Questions to Ask Your Installer

1. Where should cameras go to cover machines without close-ups?
2. How will you cover the change machine?
3. Can you add leak and gas alerts?
4. How will late-night safety be supported?
5. How will you cover the back room?
6. Can the work be phased?

See our local pages for commercial camera installation in the Bronx, business camera installation in Brooklyn, commercial camera installation in Jersey City and our services page.

Running a laundromat? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots, from the change machine to the back room.

16. A Hypothetical Laundromat

A 2,500-square-foot Bronx laundromat installs eight cameras: a door camera, an exterior camera, a change machine camera, three overview cameras along the machine rows, an attendant camera and a back-room camera. A monitor near the door shows the live feed. Leak sensors alert the owner. Machine numbers are posted. After a customer's laundry disappears, the owner finds the machine number and time, pulls the clip and gives it to the customer and police.

17. Daily Routine

Open by checking cameras and the monitor. Empty change machines on schedule. Clean lenses monthly. At closing, lock the back room, secure cash, set alerts and check the back door. Review any incidents. Test an export monthly.

18. Customer Communication

Post signs that cameras are in use, that customers should not leave laundry unattended and how to reach an attendant. Be polite and consistent with complaints. A clean, well-lit, attended laundromat with visible cameras is less likely to be a target.

19. Insurance and Records

Ask your insurer what it requires and whether cameras earn a discount. Keep equipment inventories, service records and incident logs. After a theft or leak, report promptly and provide footage. Good records speed claims.

20. Annual Review

Once a year, walk the laundromat with an installer. Check camera angles, lighting and sensors. Review incidents for patterns. Update procedures and training.

Wired Versus Wireless Cameras

Most laundromats do best with wired PoE cameras: one cable carries power and data, and the picture does not drop when dryers and other equipment add interference. Wireless cameras can suit a temporary spot or a hard-to-reach corner, but they depend on Wi-Fi and batteries or nearby power. Put the recorder in a locked closet away from steam, lint and water, add a small UPS so a brief outage does not end recording, and check the system weekly. Lint is a real problem here, so wipe lenses and vents regularly.

Seasonal Patterns

Laundromats get busiest on weekends and after holidays, and heavy use shows where cameras are missing. Review a busy Saturday's footage once a quarter to see whether any machine row, the change machine or the door has a blind spot, then adjust angles before a dispute exposes the gap.

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

Where should cameras go in a laundromat? Door, change machine, machine rows, attendant counter, back room and exterior.

Can I record customers folding laundry? With notice and a wide view, but avoid close-ups and audio.

Do I need leak sensors? Yes. Water damage is a major risk.

Can I record audio? Usually not without legal advice.

How long should I keep video? Often 30 days, longer for incidents.

Does a monitor help? A visible live feed near the door deters theft.

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.