Filming & Production in Newport Beach, CA (2026)
2 verified filming & production rules for Newport Beach, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Location Permits
Newport Beach requires a permit from the City Manager or Film Liaison before anyone stages, shoots or records images on residential property, public property or a public facility for a commercial purpose. Applications are due 14 days ahead and carry a Council-set fee.
Newport Beach Commercial Film Location Permits
Significant RestrictionsNewport Beach Municipal Code § 5.46.010 (Permit Required)
No person shall use any property zoned or utilized for a residential use, public property or public facility for the purpose of staging, shooting, making, capturing, taking or recording of images for any commercial or business purpose without first applying for and receiving a permit from the City Manager or Film Liaison.
Student Filming
Newport Beach still requires a film permit for student productions, but Section 5.46.030 waives both the application fee and the daily permit fee that other commercial filmmakers must pay.
Newport Beach Student Film Fee Exemption
Light RestrictionsNewport Beach Municipal Code § 5.46.030(C) (Application and Permit Fees)
Each application, except applications for a student film, shall be accompanied by an application fee as established by resolution of the City Council. ... The permittee, except those producing student films, shall pay to the City a permit fee as established by resolution of the City Council for each day or portion of a day during which such activities are conducted.
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Newport Beach city rules.
Filming & Production in Orange County →