Filming & Production in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Location Permits
Any filming activity in unincorporated Santa Barbara County, or on county-owned property, needs a film permit from the film permit officer obtained in advance, under County Code Sec. 14C-5. The permit must be carried on location, and it doesn't authorize use of private property without the owner's separate written consent.
Santa Barbara County Film Location Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 14C-5
Sec. 14C-5. - Permit required. It shall be unlawful to conduct filming activity as defined in section 14C-2(c) within the unincorporated areas or upon property controlled or owned by the County of Santa Barbara unless a film permit for such activity has been obtained in advance from the film permit officer. The permit must be in the possession of the permittee at all times while on location in ...
Production Noise
When the film permit officer issues a county film permit, Sec. 14C-10(g) requires conditions restricting amplified sound sources, lighting and other noise-creating devices used during the shoot, so production noise is controlled permit-by-permit rather than by a single fixed decibel rule.
Santa Barbara County Filming Noise Restrictions
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 14C-10
Sec. 14C-10. - Permit conditions. The film permit officer shall condition the issuance of a film permit by imposing requirements concerning the time, place, manner, and duration of filming activities as referenced on the "Terms and Conditions" attached to the film permit, including, but not limited to, the following: ... (g)Restrictions on the use of aircraft, firearms, pyrotechnics, explosives...
Street Closures
Filming crews wanting to close a county road need a film permit from the film permit officer, and the board of supervisors sets which public roads and rights-of-way can be restricted for filming by resolution. Intermittent closures must stay clear of emergency access and be supervised by a law enforcement or traffic officer.
Santa Barbara County Film Permit Road Closures
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 14C-16
(a)The board of supervisors, by resolution, may restrict filming activities on certain public roads, road rights-of-way, or private road easements within the County of Santa Barbara.(b)An applicant for a film permit may request in the permit application that the County of Santa Barbara authorize an intermittent interruption in traffic flow on public roads at the site of the filming activity. Su...
Filming & Production by City in Santa Barbara County
1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own filming & production rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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