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Are Signs Required When Using Security Cameras at a Business in South Carolina? What You Need to Know.
- GenX Security Solutions
- 43 minutes ago
- 5 min read
As a business owner in South Carolina, whether you're operating in Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Charleston, or anywhere in between, surveillance cameras are an essential part of your commercial security strategy. But many business owners wonder: Is it legally required to post signs if my business is using security cameras? In this blog, GenX Security Solutions unpacks the legal landscape and best practices for surveillance signage in commercial spaces.
Is It Legal to Record Video Surveillance Without a Posted Sign in South Carolina at a Business?
Legality of Audio Recordings
South Carolina is a one-party consent state when it comes to audio recording, which means that at least one person involved in a conversation must consent to being recorded. However, when it comes to video-only surveillance (with no audio), the rules are more lenient. Practically, this means a business can record audio in its establishment only if at least one person being recorded knows about and consents to the recording. For example, an employee could consent to a recorded conversation with a customer, and it is good practice to inform all hires that there is video surveillance on premises and accepting employment is their consent to security surveillance of video and audio recordings.
Because of these rules, many South Carolina businesses avoid recording audio altogether on their security cameras. If audio monitoring is desired for security, it’s wise to get consent in advance. One way is by posting a clear sign stating that audio recording is in use, thereby giving patrons a heads-up. Once warned, if they proceed to speak in the area, the law may treat it as implied consent to being recorded.
Implied consent via signage hasn’t been directly tested in SC courts for private businesses – it’s a precaution, not a guaranteed shield.
Legality of Video Recordings
As for security signage and notification of security surveillance: generally, South Carolina businesses are not legally required to post signage notifying people that video surveillance is occurring in public or common areas, such as retail floors, lobbies, parking lots, or warehouses. However, cameras should not be placed in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms, dressing rooms, or private offices.
South Carolina law allows businesses to use security cameras to protect their property and prevent shoplifting without running afoul of the peeping Tom statute.
Unlike some states or localities that mandate “Video Surveillance in Use” notices, South Carolina law is silent on any signage requirement for private security cameras. In fact, hidden cameras intended to catch theft are permissible under state law (so long as they aren’t in private areas), even if no sign is posted.
Why Security Signage Is Still a Smart Move for Your Business
Even though security signage may not be legally required, posting signs that notify visitors and employees of video surveillance can provide a host of benefits:
Deterrence: Clear signage deters theft, vandalism, and misconduct.
Transparency: Builds trust with employees and customers.
Legal Protection: In the event of a dispute, posted signage may support your case in court.
Compliance across states: If your business operates across state lines, some states do require signage.
In addition, posting CCTV signage informing surveillance on site serves other important purposes, such as:
Sets Expectations: It puts customers and employees on notice that they should not expect privacy in the monitored areas. This helps prevent any claim that someone didn’t realize they might be recorded.
Implied Consent: By entering a clearly marked, camera-monitored area, individuals implicitly consent to the surveillance. This can strengthen a business’s position if questions arise about audio recording (for example, a posted sign warning “premises under audio/video surveillance” provides evidence that people were informed upfront).
At GenX Security, we recommend all our South Carolina clients include surveillance signage as part of their business security system package.
What Should Your Surveillance Signs Say?
To maximize their impact and legal effectiveness, signs should:
Be clearly visible and placed at entrances and key monitored areas
Use straightforward language such as: "This area is under 24-hour video surveillance."
Include icons or graphics for better visibility
When we install video surveillance cameras for businesses in Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Columbia and all other cities in South Carolina, we always have notification signage available for our customers to display.
GenX Security: Your South Carolina Video Surveillance Partner
At GenX Security Solutions, we specialize in commercial and business security camera installations tailored for clients across Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Charleston, and the entire South Carolina Lowcountry. Our experienced team ensures your system is not only effective but aligned with best practices and state laws.
Whether you need indoor or outdoor surveillance, advanced recording systems, or remote monitoring, our solutions are designed for your business’s unique security needs.
Ready to Upgrade Your Business Security in South Carolina?
Contact GenX Security today for a free consultation on business security camera systems. We’ll assess your site, provide legal and strategic guidance, and help you deploy a system that keeps your assets safe—and your business compliant. Experience the next generation of compliant commercial video surveillance and interactive integrated security cameras with GenX Security Solutions.
Experience the next generation of interactive security services and solutions with GenX Security.
With custom security integration solutions come custom quotes designed for your needs. Please contact us by clicking here or calling 866-598-4369.
At GenX Security Solutions, we proudly serve businesses in all locations across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia with cutting-edge commercial security systems, access control solutions, structured cabling, fire alarms, and professional audio/visual integration. From bustling cities like Greenville and Raleigh to growing industrial hubs like Winston-Salem to hospitality hot spots like Myrtle Beach, our team delivers tailored solutions to meet your business’s unique needs.
Please visit our state-specific pages for more information on our services in various industries. We serve all cities in the Upstate and surrounding, including:
