Filming & Production in Santa Clara, CA (2026)
3 verified filming & production rules for Santa Clara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Location Permits
Santa Clara requires a City-issued permit before anyone, including students, films on public or private property, a facility, or a residence within city limits. SCCC § 12.60.030(a) puts the City Manager's office in charge of issuing permits, and § 12.60.050(b) requires applicants to disclose the filming location, dates, crew size, equipment, and any use of animals or pyrotechnics.
Santa Clara Film Location Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara City Code § 12.60.030(a)
No person, including students, shall use any public or private property, facility or residence for the purpose of film production without first applying for and receiving a permit from the City Manager's office or the City Manager's designee.
Street Closures
Filming that would impair traffic flow in Santa Clara requires the production company to hire Santa Clara Police Department personnel for traffic control and to post advance warning signs meeting Caltrans' Manual of Traffic Controls. SCCC § 12.60.080(f) lets the City restrict traffic to one twelve-foot lane or stop it intermittently, and § 12.60.080(h) requires 24-hour notice to everyone within 200 feet of the location.
Santa Clara Filming Traffic Control Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara City Code § 12.60.080(f), (h)
For filming that would impair traffic flow, an applicant must use Santa Clara Police Department personnel to comply with all traffic control requirements deemed necessary. ... Traffic may be restricted to one twelve (12)-foot lane of traffic and/or stopped intermittently. ... All residents and merchants within a two hundred (200)-foot radius of the film location must receive notice of filming a...
Student Filming
Student filmmakers in Santa Clara must obtain the same City permit as any other production, even though SCCC § 12.60.030(b)(5) lets the City Manager waive the fee on a case-by-case basis. Section 12.60.020(f) defines "student filming" as production made by a student at a public or private school to satisfy a course requirement, with no profit, including posting to social media.
Santa Clara Student Film Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara City Code §§ 12.60.020(f), 12.60.030(b)(5)
"Student filming" means all production made by a student of a public or private educational institution to satisfy a course or curriculum requirement and from which no profit is made including posting on social media Internet outlets. ... Student Filming. Project will be considered on a case-by-case basis as to whether permit-related fees will be waived, but a permit is always required.
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Clara city rules.
Filming & Production in Santa Clara County →