1. Safety and Respect– Prioritize safety in all aspects of exploring and minimize the risks. Accidents are called “accidents “ for a reason! Respect is also a large part of Urban Exploring; treat others like you would like to be treated and respect their boundaries.
2. Leave No Trace – Take steps to minimize our impact on the environment and leave the location as we found it. Take only pictures, leave only footprints!
3. Preserve- Urban Explorers are often finders of forgotten history, therefore it’s important to document and archive information for future generations. This can be done through photography or videography, or even through other means such as archival and preservation work.
4. Preserve history – We as Explorers should appreciate and document the history and cultural significance of locations through personal experience, photography, and/or video. By preserving this places, we can help ensure future generations can appreciate and learn from them.
4. Loose Lips Sink Ships – This was an idiom used during World War II, but its message rings true even today. You will find in your travels there are some individuals out there with ill intentions and motivations. It is important that you safeguard your locations, otherwise they might be negatively affected.
5. Application of Tools: More advanced Urban Explorers will often use tools to assist in accessing some of limit’s areas. It is important that we use tools in ways that minimize any potential harm or damage to the environments in which we explore. Use of subtle and precise tools often leave more of a positive impact rather than more overt methods such as crowbars and bolt cutters.
Version 2.1 – Updated 1-21-2025
By following these ethics, you can help contribute to the preservation of abandoned or restricted locations and their history, while also leaving a positive impact on the urban exploring community as a whole. Additionally, by practicing ethical exploring, we can help reduce the negative perception of the hobby and increase its acceptance.
A good rule of thumb to follow is the words of Infiltration and Access All Areas author Jeff Chapman, otherwise known as Ninjalicious, who wrote that genuine urban explorers “never vandalize, steal or damage anything”.
We are all going to make mistakes. The important thing is you hold yourself accountable. If you mess up and upset someone or the community, if there is a way to fix/undo what was done, try your best! Accountability, honesty, and transparency go a long way in this hobby and will make you a better and more respected explorer.
Remember, we’re not always going to make the best decisions, we’re not always going to make the right decisions, but we should all do the best we can.