Anaheim, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Anaheim, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Application deadline
- At least 10 business days before filming
- Permit decision timeline
- Director acts within 3 business days
- Appeal window
- 5 business days to City Manager
- Minimum liability insurance
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Cost recovery
- Permittee pays actual police/fire/traffic costs
Summary
Anyone shooting commercial motion pictures or television photography on public or private property in Anaheim must get a film permit from the Director of Public Works under Municipal Code Section 4.03.030. Applications are due at least ten business days ahead, and permittees cover the City's actual police, fire and traffic control costs.
No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence within the City of Anaheim for the purposes of taking commercial motion pictures or television photography without first applying for and receiving a film permit from the City of Anaheim as provided in this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
040 exempts spontaneous news broadcasting, purely private noncommercial filming, filming on property the production company owns or has leased for more than six months where the public cannot view the activity, and any filming at Anaheim Stadium under existing stadium-use agreements. 060). 090). 070 requires the permittee to reimburse the City for the actual costs of police, fire and traffic control personnel, property use or equipment needed for the shoot, on top of any separate business license, Fire Department or Police Department fees. 080 requires liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for general and automobile liability, additional coverage for pyrotechnics reviewed by the Fire Department, a hold-harmless and indemnity agreement, and a faithful performance bond to guarantee cleanup and restoration. 100).
Violations & Fines
Section 4.03.110 makes any violation of the commercial filming chapter, or of any permit condition, a misdemeanor punishable as set out in Section 1.01.370 of the Anaheim Municipal Code. The City may also revoke the film permit outright, and revocation authority is held by the Director of Public Works, the Police Department, the Fire Department and the Planning Department's Code Enforcement Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film a commercial or TV show in Anaheim?
Is student or news filming exempt from Anaheim's film permit rule?
How far in advance must I apply for an Anaheim filming permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
California rules heatmap·Compare Anaheim to another location·View the California filming & production overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle location permits.