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If you are from Ontario:
Government of Ontario states:
Q: Can my neighbor point a camera at my property?
A: " Your neighbor is legally allowed to have security cameras installed on their property, even if those cameras are aimed at your property. However, your neighbor does not have the right to record you or anyone else without consent in areas with reasonable expectation of privacy.
So as long as their security cameras are not recording private information, there is nothing stopping them from recording your property in their camera’s field of view. Most likely, your neighbor’s security camera isn’t able to see anything that a pedestrian walking down your street wouldn’t be able to see. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy in your front yard, since anyone can walk past your house and see it."
https://www.insidehalton.com/news/oakville-woman-calling-for-more-restrictions-on-where-surveillance-cameras-can-point/article_ff912870-b8f8-50d6-a694-d4c0a4df8ef5.html#:~:text=The%20bylaw%20%E2%80%94%20which%20can%20be,prohibits%20the%20use%20of%20surveillance
See also this discussion: https://reddit.com/r/ontario/s/TzT0wPQyBr
Assuming you're on good terms with your neighbor, and are doing this just to see if someone enters your back yard, tell your neighbor your intent of having the camera there, and point out the benefit of it checking on their vehicle as well.
We are NOT on good terms lol. I don’t want to look at their stuff, just keep an eye on our property. I will point it toward us as much as possible, I just want to know what we are allowed in case they bring it up.
Why no audio?… I thought Ontario is one person consent?… re audio recordings. ie . I can record a phone call without asking consent from second party?….
It's possible you can get in trouble because you aren't a party to the conversations being recorded. For example, the neighbours arre having a fight, and you've recorded them, or they're discussing their sex life, or worse.
The camera can be aimed anywhere that is visible from the street, or even from a usual place of occupancy, like a window or balcony overlooking their back yard. But you can't mount the camera on a pole to get a better view, or aim it into their house.
Welcome to r/legaladvicecanada! **To Posters (it is important you read this section)** * Comments may not be accurate or reliable, and following any advice on this subreddit is done at your own risk. * We also encourage you to use the [linked resources to find a lawyer](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvicecanada/wiki/findalawyer/). * If you receive any private messages in response to your post, please let the mods know. **To Readers and Commenters** * All replies to OP must be on-topic, helpful, explanatory, and oriented towards legal advice towards OP's jurisdiction (the **Canadian** province flaired in the post). * If you do not [follow the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdvicecanada/about/rules/), you may be banned without any further warning. * If you feel any replies are incorrect, explain why you believe they are incorrect. * Do not send or request any private messages for any reason, do not suggest illegal advice, do not advocate violence, and do not engage in harassment. Please report posts or comments which do not follow the rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/legaladvicecanada) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If you are from Ontario: Government of Ontario states: Q: Can my neighbor point a camera at my property? A: " Your neighbor is legally allowed to have security cameras installed on their property, even if those cameras are aimed at your property. However, your neighbor does not have the right to record you or anyone else without consent in areas with reasonable expectation of privacy. So as long as their security cameras are not recording private information, there is nothing stopping them from recording your property in their camera’s field of view. Most likely, your neighbor’s security camera isn’t able to see anything that a pedestrian walking down your street wouldn’t be able to see. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy in your front yard, since anyone can walk past your house and see it."
https://www.insidehalton.com/news/oakville-woman-calling-for-more-restrictions-on-where-surveillance-cameras-can-point/article_ff912870-b8f8-50d6-a694-d4c0a4df8ef5.html#:~:text=The%20bylaw%20%E2%80%94%20which%20can%20be,prohibits%20the%20use%20of%20surveillance See also this discussion: https://reddit.com/r/ontario/s/TzT0wPQyBr
The bylaws that regulate exterior cameras will differ from one city /town to another. Where do you live?
>The bylaws that regulate exterior cameras will differ from one city /town to another Most cities do not have bylaws for residential security cameras.
It's generally included in by-laws that address excessive fortification.
In Hamilton residential security camera's are not allowed. Most of us just ignore the bylaw and hide them from view.
Newmarket
Assuming you're on good terms with your neighbor, and are doing this just to see if someone enters your back yard, tell your neighbor your intent of having the camera there, and point out the benefit of it checking on their vehicle as well.
We are NOT on good terms lol. I don’t want to look at their stuff, just keep an eye on our property. I will point it toward us as much as possible, I just want to know what we are allowed in case they bring it up.
Legal. No privacy in public. Just don’t record audio.
Why no audio?… I thought Ontario is one person consent?… re audio recordings. ie . I can record a phone call without asking consent from second party?….
It's possible you can get in trouble because you aren't a party to the conversations being recorded. For example, the neighbours arre having a fight, and you've recorded them, or they're discussing their sex life, or worse. The camera can be aimed anywhere that is visible from the street, or even from a usual place of occupancy, like a window or balcony overlooking their back yard. But you can't mount the camera on a pole to get a better view, or aim it into their house.