Nudity and Indecency on Private Land?

Question

Would you be legally entitled to walk around your own garden naked even if you were clearly visible to your neighbours for example?

Could you legally have sex in your own back garden or anywhere outdoors on your private land? What if it was your own front lawn and people were walking past on the other side of a small fence and you were in full view of them?

What if you were on other private land like a privately owned car park? Could you just have sex on the bonnet of your car?

Also what if you're in your own house and are naked or commiting an indecent act in a room and can be seen by people on the street? Are you breaking the law even though you're in your own house, or are they breaking the law for watching you without your permission?

What if you are just in your back garden sun bathing naked and not in view of the "public", but you could still be seen by your next door neighbours over your fence if they looked out of their upstairs windows? Would it be legal then? And if so, what if you then started carrying out an indecent act? Would it still be legal in that situation?

If your next door neighbour filmed it with a video camera and then called the police, would they be arrested for voyeurism, (a new law in the UK (i.e filming you without your permission or knowledge)), or would you be arrested for engaging in an indecent act in view of a member of the 'public'?

What if you could still only be seen by your next door neighbour, but there was no fence or barrier between your garden and theirs?

In response to the comment from John Doe....

But how can their be different rules in different communities when the law is the law and is the same regardless of what community you live in within your state or country?

Answer 1

Every community has slightly different standards and ordinances regarding nudity; not so different regarding actual sex.

We used to attend these yard parties at in one community, and although the home owner had erected at least a 6' (I believe it was taller) privacy fence, he was surrounded by two-story homes. However, the ordinance in that community was that if you had taken every reasonable effort to provide privacy, then if the neighbors just HAD to look our their 2nd story windows to peek, it was THEIR problem. No jeopardy for the nudist home owner.

In other communities, it's a matter of line-of-sight. If you neighbor can clearly see you nude, they can make a complaint. But, if you've erected an adequate privacy fence, they'd actually have to be "peeking" to even see anything and there's no way they can legally complain; whether your just nude or having sex. You do have some reasonable expectations of privacy.

Answer 2

If you are in public it's a public issue, you will be accountable for your actions. They could get you for indecent exposure. Nudity is a private thing in most places. They do have places like nude beaches, but they have rules and regulations they have to abide to. They have to stay in certain areas, no glass containers, no sexual intercourse in public, there are other rules also, not sure of them all. I had a friend that used to go to one, this is what he told me.

The issue of someone watching you through your window may be a different issue. You are inside and someones looking in, you might be able to get them for being a peeping tom. Not sure, you could check local laws.

Answer 3

being nude or doing nude act in private is fine, but if someone outside that private area can see you it's against the law. That's considered exhibitionism and it's a class A misdemenor

Answer 4

If you are visible it is not private. You could get arrested, unless you are my hawt neighbor then don't get mad if me and the guys all sit out on the veranda with a case of beer and watch.

Answer 5

If you can be seen by people in public, you are in public and subject to decency regulations. Owning the property does not give you the right to publically display yourself.