7 days? 30? 90? The right retention period depends on your industry, your risks and how quickly incidents get noticed.
One of the first questions we ask new customers is, “How far back do you need to go?” The honest answer is usually “further than you think.” Incidents like slip-and-fall claims, employee theft and vandalism are often discovered days or weeks after they happen.
What should drive your retention period?
- Discovery lag. How long does it typically take to notice an incident? Add a buffer.
- Claims windows. Liability and workers’ comp claims can surface long after the event.
- Regulation. Some industries have explicit minimums.
- Insurance and contracts. Carriers, landlords and HOAs sometimes specify requirements.
- Privacy. Keep footage as long as you need it, and no longer than you can justify.
Typical retention by industry
| Industry | Common retention | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Retail & restaurants | 30–90 days | Delayed discovery of shrink and liability claims |
| Cannabis (California) | 90 days minimum | State licensing regulations require it |
| Construction sites | 30–90 days | Theft and incident investigation across project phases |
| HOA & property management | 30–60 days | Vandalism, parking and common-area disputes |
| Warehouses & logistics | 60–180 days | Shipping disputes and inventory reconciliation |
| Homes | 7–30 days | Package theft and neighborhood incidents |
This table is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with your regulator, insurer or counsel.
The cost problem, and how the cloud solves it
With an on-site NVR, more retention means more hard drives, bigger recorders and more hardware to fail. Cloud video lets you choose retention per camera, from 7 days up to 2 years, and change it anytime without touching hardware. Keep 90 days on the cash wrap and 14 days in the break room.
Tips for setting your policy
- Write the policy down, including who can export footage and why.
- Match retention to each camera’s purpose, not one number for everything.
- Export and preserve footage immediately when an incident is reported.
- Review the policy annually or when regulations change.
Not sure what your business needs? Our team can recommend a per-camera retention plan in a free consultation.
Certified IT and video-surveillance specialists supporting Southern California organizations for over two decades.
