Filming & Production in Sacramento County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Sacramento County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Location Permits

Filming a motion picture or TV production anywhere in unincorporated Sacramento County, on public or private property, requires a Special Business License under County Code § 4.50.130. The Treasurer-Tax Collector issues it within 30 days of a complete application after the Sheriff and local fire district review it. News crews, studio productions and still photography are exempt.

Sacramento County Filming Location Permits

Significant Restrictions

Sacramento County Code §§ 4.50.130, 4.50.135

No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence within the unincorporated area of the County for a motion picture production unless under and by authority of a valid, unexpired and unrevoked Special Business License authorizing the motion picture production issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4.10 and this Article. ... The provisions of this Article shall not ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Production Noise

Sacramento County Code § 4.50.150(a) lets the Treasurer-Tax Collector condition every motion picture production's Special Business License on the time, place and manner of filming specifically to cut disruption to the public peace and quiet. Productions that risk disturbing neighbors face location, hour or crew restrictions, and can be billed for the county resources needed to manage the noise.

Sacramento County Filming Production Noise Rules

Significant Restrictions

Sacramento County Code § 4.50.150(a)-(b)

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.10.045, the Treasurer-Tax Collector may issue a Special Business License authorizing a motion picture production upon conditions which relate to the following: a. The time, place or manner of conducting the motion picture production, for the purpose of reducing disruption of traffic, disruption of public services, disruption of the public peace or quiet, ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Filming & Production by City in Sacramento County

4 cities in Sacramento County have their own filming & production rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

SacramentoPop. 524,943

1 verified rule • Location Permits

Elk GrovePop. 176,124

3 verified rules • Location Permits, Production Noise

FolsomPop. 82,590

4 verified rules • Location Permits, Production Noise

Rancho CordovaPop. 79,332

1 verified rule • Location Permits

All Sacramento County ordinances

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