Filming & Production in Camarillo, CA

Camarillo maintains 132 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with filming & production. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Camarillo falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Street Closures

A film permit that includes closing a public street cannot be decided by city staff alone in Camarillo: Municipal Code Section 19.63.022(B)(3) sends any street-closure request straight to the city council, which must take it up at its earliest scheduled meeting after the completed application is filed, with the city manager stepping in only if the council cannot act in time.

Key details: Approving body: City council. Timing: Earliest scheduled meeting after filing. Fallback approver: City manager, if council can't act. Permit issued: Next working day after approval. Applies to: Filming street closures only.

Closing a public street for filming without the city council-approved permit required by Section 19.63.022(B)(3) is a code violation enforceable under Chapter 1.12: a misdemeanor conviction can bring up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, and an infraction escalates from $100 on a first offense to $500 for repeat violations within a year. An unauthorized closure also exposes the production to liability for obstructing a public street under the city's traffic provisions.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Camarillo actively enforces its street closures requirements.

Location Permits

Every film production in Camarillo needs a film permit under Municipal Code Section 19.63.022, applied for through the director of planning and community development on the state form required by Government Code Section 14999.32. The director must issue or refuse the permit within two working days, or four if the shoot will block street traffic for more than three minutes.

Key details: Standard approval time: 2 working days. If traffic blocked over 3 min: 4 working days. Application form: Gov. Code Sec. 14999.32. Insurance: State Dept. of Commerce form. Application fee cap: Actual city service cost.

Filming without a valid permit, or exceeding what the permit authorizes, is a code violation enforceable under Chapter 1.12: a misdemeanor conviction can bring up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, and an infraction escalates from $100 on a first offense to $500 for repeat violations within a year. A production that cancels after 3:00 p.m. the last working day before the shoot forfeits the cancellation fee the director set under Section 19.63.022(G).

This is one of the stricter rules in Camarillo's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Camarillo is tougher than many cities when it comes to filming & production. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Camarillo, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Camarillo's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.