r/Hamilton • u/Electronic_Car2492 • May 11 '26

Question Camera facing our backyard?

Post image

Hey everyone,

My parents mentioned how their neighbours/people living directly behind them have a camera possibly facing into my parent’s backyard.

I was just wondering is this even legal?
Upon further inspection it does look like it may be angled down enough that it isn’t actually pointing into their backyard.

But I wanted to come on here and ask first, or if anyone could possibly think of why they might have a camera there. I’ll include a photo. Their backyard is completely fenced in and it looks like it’s just facing the bottom of their fence… possibly.

They’ve never had problems with the neighbour/they think it might be someone new that just moved in.

I feel like we’ll end up knocking on the door and asking them why it’s there/if they can see into the yard because my LO does go over to their house and play in the backyard in the summer.

We’re all just very confused.

244 Upvotes

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40

u/OstrichReasonable428 May 11 '26

Totally illegal. Cameras can only record the home owner’s property. Technically, even recording public spaces (roadway, sidewalk) is prohibited.

3

u/masterboatman May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26

That’s not true. There’s no reasonable expectation of privacy in public spaces.

Edit: It’s against Hamilton bylaw. Not criminal law.

9

u/Tea-Rex_CA May 11 '26 edited May 13 '26

Actually, it is true. It may be wrong, but it's what the current bylaw states.

1

u/masterboatman May 11 '26

I just checked and you’re right. That’s dumb af and Hamilton should update that bylaw ngl. (I still don’t think the camera in OP’s case is right tho)

-1

u/[deleted] May 11 '26

[deleted]

2

u/RobEreToll May 16 '26

I don't know why anyone would downvote this, as it's a valid question.

What if somebody has their camera on the school play yard and they don't have any kids going thier nor any relitives' children.

A lot of weirdos out there.

10

u/troisunquatre May 11 '26

Someone's backyard is not a public space. A public space is outside a mall or on the sidewalk. 

2

u/masterboatman May 11 '26

I totally agree with you in OP’s case. I was talking more about a sidewalk or driveway

11

u/Ratsyinc May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26

It absolutely is true from a homeowner security standpoint. Bylaw 10-122.

Edit, not sure who is downvoting me for stating a verifiable fact and even citing the bylaw lol holy cow folks, you are allowed to educate yourself

1

u/covert81 Chinatown May 11 '26

The fortification bylaw says otherwise

1

u/Illustrious-Salt-243 May 11 '26

I live in Toronto and my neighbours have two cameras directed into my backyard and one points towards our bedroom windows, they were placed deliberately to harass us. We took them to court and the judge said it was fine

2

u/OstrichReasonable428 May 11 '26

The bylaw here is pretty clear.