Santa Clara County Surveillance-Technology and Community-Safety Ordinance
Santa Clara County, CA · Santa Clara County, Cal., Ordinance Code div. A40 (NS-300.897, 2016)
Santa Clara County passed the nation's first county-level surveillance oversight law in 2016. County departments must get Board of Supervisors approval, publish a surveillance use policy, and file an impact report before acquiring surveillance technology, plus annual reports afterward. Still actively administered by the County Privacy Office.
Technical detail
Santa Clara County Ordinance Code Division A40 (NS-300.897, 2016) requires Board approval of Surveillance Use Policies, Anticipated Surveillance Impact Reports before acquisition, and Annual Surveillance Reports due by November 1.
Who is protected: Santa Clara County residents
Who must comply: All County of Santa Clara departments, including the Sheriff's Office
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Santa Clara County, CA |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Enacted | 2016-06-07 |
| Citation | Santa Clara County, Cal., Ordinance Code div. A40 (NS-300.897, 2016) |
| Enforced by | Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; County Privacy Office |
| Topics | consumer data privacy · police and surveillance AI · government use of AI · AI disclosure and transparency · biometric data · facial recognition · data retention |
| Last verified | 2026-06-11 |
| Official source | Surveillance Technology and Community Safety Ordinance — County of Santa Clara ↗ |
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 lo · Blocked / in litigation
- House Bill 2512 — Banning surveillance pricing by rideshare · 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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