Hidden camera laws in Virginia

The actual statute, in plain English — not a paraphrase of a paraphrase.

The statute

Code of Virginia § 18.2-386.1 (Unlawful Filming, Videotaping or Photographing of Another)

What it prohibits

Knowingly and intentionally videotaping, photographing, or filming a nonconsenting person who is nude, in undergarments, or exposing genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or breasts (for a female), in a restroom, dressing room, locker room, hotel/motel room, tanning booth, bedroom, or similar location. Also covers placing a camera to capture up a person’s clothing (“upskirting”). Law enforcement acting within lawful duties is exempt.

Penalty

Class 1 misdemeanor; Class 6 felony if the nonconsenting person is under 18.

This is general public information, not legal advice, verified against the statute text linked below as of this writing — legislatures amend these laws periodically (Florida renamed its own statute in 2024). If this matters for a real situation, read the current text yourself or talk to a lawyer: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter8/section18.2-386.1/. Separately, recording audio of a conversation is governed by a different law (wiretap/eavesdropping statutes, which vary by state on whether one party or all parties must consent) — this page covers image/video capture only.

If you've actually found something, the statute matters less than what you do next: read the six steps here.

Cover: The Traveler's Counter-Surveillance Field Manual

The Field Manual — PDF edition

Want the full room-by-room method, not just the legal side? The complete system — every check on this site plus the ten-minute walkthrough, audio devices, your legal rights, and what to do if you find something. 47 printable pages, instant download, keep it on any device.

Get the Field Manual — $27

Prefer Kindle? $7.99 on Amazon.

Other states

WashingtonRCW § 9A.44.115 (Voyeurism) ArizonaA.R.S. § 13-1424 (Voyeurism) MassachusettsM.G.L. c. 272, § 105 (Photographing, Videotaping or Electronically Surveilling Partially Nude or Nude Person) TennesseeTenn. Code § 39-13-605 (Unlawful Photographing in Violation of Privacy) ColoradoC.R.S. § 18-3-405.6 (Invasion of Privacy for Sexual Gratification) NevadaNRS § 200.604 (Capturing Image of Private Area of Another Person) HawaiiHRS § 711-1110.9 (Violation of Privacy in the First Degree) South CarolinaS.C. Code § 16-17-470 (Eavesdropping, Peeping, Voyeurism)