Simi Valley's Filming & Production: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles filming & production a little differently. In Simi Valley, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Location Permits

Shooting a commercial motion picture, TV production, or still photography on public or private property in Simi Valley requires a location filming permit under Municipal Code § 5-32.03. News crews, personal video, studio filming, and on-site business ads are exempt, and the City Manager sets application rules, fees, and insurance requirements.

Key details: Permit issuer: City Manager. Insurance required: up to $1,000,000, City as coinsured. Exempt: news media, personal video, studio filming, on-site ads. Fee waiver: charitable and student films. Violation type: infraction, per-day for continuing.

Filming without the required location permit, or violating a permit's conditions, exposes the production to an infraction under § 5-32.07, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense. The City first gives verbal or written notice of the violation; if the production does not correct it, the City can revoke the permit and require all filming activity to stop immediately.

Student Filming

Simi Valley requires a location filming permit from the City Manager's office for any motion picture, television, or commercial still photography on public or private property, but Municipal Code Section 5-32.05(e) waives the permit fee entirely for student films made to satisfy a post-secondary course requirement, along with charitable nonprofit productions.

Key details: Permit fee for students: Waived under Section 5-32.05(e). Permit still required: Yes, from City-designated officer, Sec. 5-32.03(a). Insurance requirement: Certificate up to $1,000,000, City as coinsured. Personnel reimbursement: Not waived; production pays for police/fire staff. Violation penalty: Infraction; each day is a separate offense.

Filming without the required permit, or violating any permit condition, is enforced under Section 5-32.07: the City may first give verbal or written notice of the violation, and if the production doesn't correct it, the City can revoke the permit and shut down the shoot on the spot. A student filmmaker who willfully ignores the chapter's requirements or a permit's terms and conditions is guilty of an infraction, with every day, or part of a day, the violation continues counted as a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Simi Valley's filming & production rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Simi Valley is broadly strict or permissive.

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