San Diego Surveillance Tech Ordinance
San Diego Surveillance Technology & Privacy Advisory Ordinance (Smart Streetlights / ALPR)
San Diego, CA · San Diego Mun. Code ch. 2, art. 10, div. 41 (Ord. O-21492, O-21493) (2022)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- August 23, 2022
- Applies to
- All City of San Diego departments, including the Police Department, that acquire or use surveillance technology
- Enforced by
- San Diego City Council; Privacy Advisory Board; City Auditor
San Diego ordinance requiring City Council approval and a published use policy for any city surveillance technology, including the Smart Streetlights and ALPR programs, with a Privacy Advisory Board overseeing impact reports.
Who is protected: San Diego residents and visitors
Legal detail
Ordinance Nos. O-21492 and O-21493 add Chapter 2, Article 10, Division 41 of the San Diego Municipal Code requiring a Surveillance Use Policy and Surveillance Impact Report for each surveillance technology, City Council approval before acquisition or material change, and annual public reports; establishes the Privacy Advisory Board to review use policies for Smart Streetlights, ALPR, drones, and similar tools.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | August 9, 2022 |
| Citation | San Diego Mun. Code ch. 2, art. 10, div. 41 (Ord. O-21492, O-21493) (2022) |
| Topics | consumer data privacy · police and surveillance AI · facial recognition · biometric data · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Statute | City of San Diego — Privacy Advisory Board and Surveillance Ordinance |
More AI rules in San Diego, CA
- San Diego algorithmic rent price-fixing ban (Ord. O-21955, May 2025) · In effect
- San Diego Unified School District · In effect
- San Diego GenAI Policy · In effect
- ACLU sues San Diego over Flock ALPRs (Sept. 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
Related consumer data privacy rules elsewhere
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for location… · Blocked / in litigation
- House Bill 2512 — Banning surveillance pricing by rideshare companies · Proposed / pending
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- Maine LD 61 (employer surveillance disclosure & prohibition) · In effect
- Washington SHB 1672 (employee monitoring notice, ADS restrictions, emotion AI ban) · In effect
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