Camera footage deadlines at a glance
| Source | How long it is usually kept | Who controls it | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flock license plate readers | 7 days by default since Aug. 2026. Many agencies keep 30 days. Longer if saved for an investigation. | Police agency, HOA or business | Flock LPR Policy (updated June 30, 2026); Flock announcement, Aug. 13, 2026 |
| Other license plate readers | Set by each agency’s policy | Agency or business | Each California operator must publish a usage and privacy policy (Civil Code 1798.90.51) |
| Ring doorbell and cameras (U.S.) | 30 days (4K devices) or 60 days (1080p and 2K) by default. Owner can set 1 to 180 days. Needs a paid plan to save video. | Homeowner | Ring support, “Understanding and Adjusting Your Video Storage Time” |
| Store, gas station, apartment cameras | Varies. Often a few days to a few weeks before it is overwritten. | Business or property owner | No general rule. Ask on day one. |
| California red-light cameras | Up to 6 months or until the citation is resolved | City or agency | Vehicle Code 21455.5(f). Records are confidential and limited to enforcement use. |
| Public traffic-monitoring cameras | Many show live video and do not record. Ask anyway. | City, county or state | Varies by agency |
| Dashcams (your car, other drivers, rideshare) | Many record in a loop and overwrite old video unless it is saved | Driver or company | Varies by device |
| Buses and transit vehicles | Varies by agency | Transit agency | Send a written request quickly |
Last checked: September 28, 2026.
Why the Flock change matters
Until August 2026, Flock’s recommended retention was 30 days. Flock cut it to 7 days after criticism of its network. It said more than 90% of searches without a full plate happen within a week. The change does not automatically apply to existing customers. So one city may keep 30 days and the next city 7.
For an injured person, the result is the same. You have days, not weeks, to get police to run a search or to ask the agency to save the data. More on Flock: Flock cameras: do they actually save lives?
How to stop video from being deleted
- Ask in person on the day of the crash, or the next day. Ask the store manager or homeowner to save the video from 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after.
- Follow up in writing. A preservation letter from a lawyer tells the owner that the video is evidence for a claim. Many owners keep it once they get one.
- Tell the police. Give the officer a list of cameras you saw. Police can collect video faster than you can.
- In a lawsuit, subpoena it. A subpoena works only if the video still exists. That is why the first steps matter.
Full step-by-step guide: how to get license plate camera footage after a hit-and-run.
Your own video
If your car has a dashcam or a built-in camera system, save the clip now. Copy it to a phone or computer. Do not edit it. Keep the original file with its date and time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Flock keep license plate data?
Flock’s default is 7 days since August 2026. Many agencies still keep 30 days. Data saved for an active investigation can be kept longer.
How long do stores keep security camera footage?
There is no general rule. Many systems overwrite video within days or a few weeks. Ask the same day and follow up in writing.
How long does Ring keep doorbell video?
In the U.S., Ring’s default is 30 days for 4K devices and 60 days for 1080p and 2K devices, with a paid plan. The owner can change it from 1 to 180 days.
Can I get red-light camera video in California?
It is difficult. California law makes red-light camera records confidential and limits them to enforcement use. They can be kept up to 6 months or until the citation is resolved.
Do traffic cameras record accidents?
Many public traffic-monitoring cameras show live video and do not record. Some do. Ask the agency quickly.
General information, not legal advice about your case. Laws and company policies change. Every case is different. Call us to talk about yours.
Sources
- Flock Safety, License Plate Reader Policy.
- Flock Safety, announcement of updated safeguards (Aug. 13, 2026).
- Ring, Understanding and Adjusting Your Video Storage Time.
- California Vehicle Code § 21455.5; Civil Code § 1798.90.51.
