Auburn, WA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Auburn, WA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit needed for
- filming/movies on public property or ROW
- Application deadline
- 90 days before the shoot
- Exemption available for
- small filming events, director's discretion
- Required insurance
- $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
- Appeal fee/window
- $250 fee, 14 days to city clerk
Summary
A film or movie shoot on Auburn's public property, streets, or parks needs a special event permit under ACC 2.23.040, since ACC 2.23.020(G) lists 'filming/movies' among the activities the chapter regulates. Only small productions with limited traffic or service impact can be discretionarily exempted from that requirement.
B. Exemptions. A special event permit is not required for the following: ... 7. The director of administration or designee may authorize other exemptions where the proposed event meets the purpose and intent of this chapter without requiring additional project conditions or charges. Such exemptions may include minor events with limited or no impacts to traffic or public services, such as small filming events. C. The exemptions of subsection B of this section apply to special event permits only, and do not exempt activities or events from any permit requirements that may otherwise apply to such activities or events.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
ACC 2.23.020(G)(1) names 'filming/movies' as one of the activities that counts as a regulated 'special event' under this chapter, alongside parades, carnivals, and fairs, whenever the shoot occurs on public property, in the public right-of-way, or on private property with the potential to substantially impact traffic or public services. ACC 2.23.040(A) then requires a special event permit for any activity meeting that definition, filed with the staff review committee at least 90 days ahead per ACC 2.23.050(A). The only carve-out specific to filming sits in ACC 2.23.040(B)(7): the director of administration or a designee may authorize an exemption for minor events with limited or no impacts to traffic or public services, such as small filming events, but ACC 2.23.040(C) makes clear that exemption reaches the special event permit only and does not waive any other permit a production would otherwise need.
A film shoot that isn't exempted goes through the same review as any other special event: the staff review committee evaluates traffic and public-safety impact and sets fees and conditions under ACC 2.23.030, and the production carries $1,000,000 per-occurrence liability insurance with a $2,000,000 aggregate under ACC 2.23.090 plus an indemnification agreement under ACC 2.23.080.
Violations & Fines
A production that films on Auburn public property without the required special event permit, or that exceeds the conditions of the permit it was issued, is subject to an infraction under Chapter 1.25 ACC per ACC 2.23.130, and the city can revoke the permit outright under ACC 2.23.120 for false information or noncompliance. A denied exemption or permit can be appealed to the city clerk within 14 days for a $250 fee under ACC 2.23.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small student film shoot need a permit in Auburn?
How much insurance does a film production need for an Auburn permit?
What happens if a film crew exceeds its Auburn permit conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
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Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle location permits.