Cameras for a Small Hotel or Rental Property - Common Areas, Guests and the Law
Last verified: October 2026
Where security cameras belong at a hotel or rental — common areas with notice, the exterior — and the places they must never go. Includes the Airbnb indoor-camera ban and Vrbo rules. General info, not legal advice. Rather have a hand? My number is (330) 200-8042.
Cameras at a Lodging, at a Glance
A few well-placed cameras make a small hotel or rental safer — but with paying guests, where you point a camera is as important as the picture. Common and public areas are generally allowed with clear notice; guest rooms, bathrooms, and changing areas are never allowed. Booking platforms go further — Airbnb has banned all indoor cameras, and Vrbo bars surveillance inside. This is general information, not legal advice. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 Can I ever put a camera in a guest room or bathroom?
No. Guest rooms, bathrooms, and changing areas are places with a reasonable expectation of privacy. Under Ohio's voyeurism law (ORC 2907.08), secretly recording there can be a crime — there's no exception for catching damage or settling a dispute.
2 I host on Airbnb — can I keep an indoor camera?
No. Airbnb banned all indoor security cameras in listings worldwide, effective April 30, 2024 — even if the device is turned off or disconnected. Outdoor cameras are allowed only if you disclose them before booking and never aim them indoors.
3 What does Vrbo allow?
Vrbo does not allow surveillance devices inside a property. Smart devices are allowed only if guests are informed and can deactivate them during their stay.
4 Where are cameras actually allowed?
In common and public areas — lobby, hallways, entrances, parking, pool deck, and the exterior — generally with clear notice. Never in guest sleeping rooms or bathrooms. A small hotel not on these platforms has more room than a rental host does.
5 Do I have to tell guests about the cameras?
Yes. Common-area cameras are allowed with disclosure — put it in the listing (before booking), the house rules, and a sign at the entrance. For rental hosts, outdoor cameras must be disclosed before a guest books.
6 The rules seem to change — how do I stay current?
Platform policies change often, so check the current policy before each season. This guide is general information, not legal advice; for your own situation, confirm with the platform and an attorney who knows Ohio.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Cameras at a hotel or rental are simple once someone shows you where the lines fall — common areas with notice, the exterior disclosed, and never a private space. I'll walk your property, help you aim and disclose every camera, and flag anything that's a question for a lawyer rather than a tech. $99 flat for a visit, 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).