Location Permits: Irvine vs Santa Ana
How do location permits rules compare between Irvine, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Irvine and Santa Ana have similar restriction levels.
Irvine, CA
Orange County
Irvine requires a $92 film permit for commercial, non-profit, or student filming on any property. Apply 1-4 weeks ahead with $1M/$2M liability insurance.
View full Irvine rules →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
All commercial film and media productions in Santa Ana require a permit submitted three weeks in advance. Daily fees range from 86 dollars (students) to 555 dollars (non-resident for-profit).
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Irvine | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $92 non-refundable | - |
| Lead Time | 1 week minimum, 4 weeks for major productions | - |
| Insurance | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate GL | Required 10 business days before filming on public property |
| Business License | Required under Section 4-6-207 | - |
| Administered By | Irvine Police Department | - |
| Application Deadline | - | 3 weeks before filming date |
| Student Fee | - | 86 dollars per day |
| For-Profit Fee | - | 354 dollars/day (resident), 555 dollars/day (non-resident) |
| Contact | - | filmpermits@santa-ana.org or (714) 571-4213 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Irvine FAQ
How do I get a filming permit in Irvine?
Submit a Film Permit Application to the Irvine Police Department at least one week before your shoot date (four weeks for major productions or park locations). The application fee is $92. You need $1M/$2M general liability insurance and a city business license. Contact Facility Reservations at (949) 724-6620.
Can I film at UC Irvine or the Great Park?
UC Irvine requires its own separate filming permit from the university. Great Park filming requires both a city film permit and a facility reservation. Contact Facility Reservations at (949) 724-6620 for Great Park filming arrangements.
Santa Ana FAQ
How much does a film permit cost in Santa Ana?
Fees range from 86 dollars per day for students to 555 dollars per day for non-resident for-profit companies. Resident for-profit productions pay 354 dollars per day.
Can I film on private property in Santa Ana without a permit?
No. Commercial productions on private property still require a City film permit and a signed location agreement from the property owner.
How far in advance must I apply for a Santa Ana film permit?
Applications must be received at least three weeks before your first filming date. Late applications are not accepted by the City.
Compare other topics
See how Irvine and Santa Ana compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool