ShirleyC14 (California)
Posts: 2
Posts: 2
Posted:
My HOA installed cameras with audio soon directly at the pool. Is this legal to record?
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Cameras with audio at pool no where to hide
Started by ShirleyC14 ā¢ 11 replies ā¢ 132 views
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ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,335
Posts: 1,335
Posted:
Googling shows California to be a two-party consent state.
Are there signs posted saying that audio recording is taking place?
If not, then I suspect the HOA is violating the law. See https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-632/
Are there signs posted saying that audio recording is taking place?
If not, then I suspect the HOA is violating the law. See https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-632/
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Shirley,
I am not sure why the need for Audio recording at the Pool. I think cameras are a boards best friend in any space where privacy is not expected. As ElleN mentions signage is a must but that is about it. How do you know that audio is going to be recorded? Did they state it during a meeting? Is it going to be monitored by someone to act on suspicious audio? Was there an issue that happened at the Pool that prompted the board to do this?
All of the boards I have been a part of for over 16 years have had cameras in our pool area. In today's litigious world I feel they are mandatory. One slip and fall or unattended event can bankrupt most HOAs.
I believe it is a good idea to have a paid pool monitor to be present during busy hours at the Pool.
I am not sure why the need for Audio recording at the Pool. I think cameras are a boards best friend in any space where privacy is not expected. As ElleN mentions signage is a must but that is about it. How do you know that audio is going to be recorded? Did they state it during a meeting? Is it going to be monitored by someone to act on suspicious audio? Was there an issue that happened at the Pool that prompted the board to do this?
All of the boards I have been a part of for over 16 years have had cameras in our pool area. In today's litigious world I feel they are mandatory. One slip and fall or unattended event can bankrupt most HOAs.
I believe it is a good idea to have a paid pool monitor to be present during busy hours at the Pool.
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Shirley,
I just noticed your Post title LOL the only place to hide in the world we live in now is in your home. Cameras are ALWAYS watching us when we leave our homes and that is only bad for people that break the rules IMO.
I just noticed your Post title LOL the only place to hide in the world we live in now is in your home. Cameras are ALWAYS watching us when we leave our homes and that is only bad for people that break the rules IMO.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,060
Posts: 21,060
Posted:
I would expect, because CA is a two-party State (meaning everyone involved in the conversation must agree to be recorded), that you will (make that should) see some sort of signage saying that video and audio recording is in use and using the facility is providing consent to be recorded.
Note: they can record video without sound but must inform you and receive your consent if they are recording audio.
Again, legal will probably advise some sort of signage along the lines above.
If that is done, the options are limited. Some are:
1) the membership will have to band together to have it removed (if that is their wish)
2) the membership be willing to serve on the board and vote the current board out so the new Board can address the issue to their liking.
3) live with it.
4) move.
Note: they can record video without sound but must inform you and receive your consent if they are recording audio.
Again, legal will probably advise some sort of signage along the lines above.
If that is done, the options are limited. Some are:
1) the membership will have to band together to have it removed (if that is their wish)
2) the membership be willing to serve on the board and vote the current board out so the new Board can address the issue to their liking.
3) live with it.
4) move.
TerriS6 (California)
Posts: 3,284
Posts: 3,284
Posted:
If childrenās images are being collected, does management have parental permission? Andā¦itās not a public venue where there is no expectation of privacy. Itās private property with members only access. Invasion of privacy.
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,335
Posts: 1,335
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TerriS6 on 04/06/2026, 8:50 AM
If childrenās images are being collected, does management have parental permission?
If childrenās images are being collected, does management have parental permission?
As long as owners have been "noticed" that cameras are in place at the pool for security yada reasons, I understand no further permission is needed.
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Terri,
Do you want give permission to Target when you go into the Store or any other venue? Do you give permission at many Private Schools when your kids are enrolled? As long as signage is posted and you enter you are giving permission. Cameras are nothing new and IMO it is the least invasive thing we give others our personal information.
I have no idea what the need is for Audio but trying to stop cameras is going to be a waste of your time.
Do you want give permission to Target when you go into the Store or any other venue? Do you give permission at many Private Schools when your kids are enrolled? As long as signage is posted and you enter you are giving permission. Cameras are nothing new and IMO it is the least invasive thing we give others our personal information.
I have no idea what the need is for Audio but trying to stop cameras is going to be a waste of your time.
TerriS6 (California)
Posts: 3,284
Posts: 3,284
Posted:
Is it an operating rule that can be overturned by the membership?
Just posting a sign is not adequate because where in the governing documents does it say a member must forfeit the use of amenities if he doesn't give permission to be recorded? That is extortion.
Target is open to the public; HOA pool is not.
Just posting a sign is not adequate because where in the governing documents does it say a member must forfeit the use of amenities if he doesn't give permission to be recorded? That is extortion.
Target is open to the public; HOA pool is not.
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TerriS6 on 04/07/2026, 8:11 AM
Is it an operating rule that can be overturned by the membership?
Just posting a sign is not adequate because where in the governing documents does it say a member must forfeit the use of amenities if he doesn't give permission to be recorded? That is extortion.
Target is open to the public; HOA pool is not.
Is it an operating rule that can be overturned by the membership?
Just posting a sign is not adequate because where in the governing documents does it say a member must forfeit the use of amenities if he doesn't give permission to be recorded? That is extortion.
Target is open to the public; HOA pool is not.
Terri,
Where in the Docs does it say you can't place cameras in the Pool area? Can you object to this of course you can. I just noticed your title of the post. No where to hide. Would you be happy if people with bad intentions where to HIDE in the pool area? The reason for cameras in open semiprivate spaces is not usually to Stop crime or bad people. It is to find out what happened and who did it. Unless you have the cameras monitored 24/7 which I promise will not be happening.
I am not sure why this is a Hill to Die on since you probably won't win. I bet if you were to check every other HOA pool in your area you will find cameras. As I said before I have been on 2 boards for 8 years at each serving as president. Both had cameras before I was elected and that goes back to 2007.
The only thing I find strange is the Audio portion of your comment. Are you sure that this was mentioned or are you making that assumption?
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,335
Posts: 1,335
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TerriS6 on 04/07/2026, 7:11 AM
Is it an operating rule that can be overturned by the membership?
Just posting a sign is not adequate because where in the governing documents does it say a member must forfeit the use of amenities if he doesn't give permission to be recorded? That is extortion.
Is it an operating rule that can be overturned by the membership?
Just posting a sign is not adequate because where in the governing documents does it say a member must forfeit the use of amenities if he doesn't give permission to be recorded? That is extortion.
The Board is not suspending use of the pool for anyone. The Board has created a rule concerning pool use: You use it, you may be on camera.
The HOATalk forum has seen many reports of misconduct at the pool. Of course a board can create reasonable rules such as this to thwart this misconduct.
But you go ahead and tell owners to fight this (very common) rule and the use of security cameras.
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ElleN on 04/07/2026, 12:26 PM
--------------------------------------
Quoted Post:
Posted By TerriS6 on 04/07/2026
, 7:11 AM
Is it an operating rule that can be overturned by the membership?
Just posting a sign is not adequate because where in the governing documents does it say a member must forfeit the use of amenities if he doesn't give permission to be recorded? That is extortion.
--------------------------------------
The Board is not suspending use of the pool for anyone. The Board has created a rule concerning pool use: You use it, you may be on camera.
The HOATalk forum has seen many reports of misconduct at the pool. Of course a board can create reasonable rules such as this to thwart this misconduct.
But you go ahead and tell owners to fight this (very common) rule and the use of security cameras.
--------------------------------------
Quoted Post:
Posted By TerriS6 on 04/07/2026
, 7:11 AM
Is it an operating rule that can be overturned by the membership?
Just posting a sign is not adequate because where in the governing documents does it say a member must forfeit the use of amenities if he doesn't give permission to be recorded? That is extortion.
--------------------------------------
The Board is not suspending use of the pool for anyone. The Board has created a rule concerning pool use: You use it, you may be on camera.
The HOATalk forum has seen many reports of misconduct at the pool. Of course a board can create reasonable rules such as this to thwart this misconduct.
But you go ahead and tell owners to fight this (very common) rule and the use of security cameras.
EllN,
I agree with you. What I think Shirley is missing is every single person that enters that pool has a camera on them or nearby that has Audio and video at their fingertips. They also will have a much closer look at her or her kids if they choose to record them. The difference is those people can share that video with anyone they want on any social media they put it on for clicks. The board has a Fiduciary Duty to do what is in the best interest of the HOA.
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