Cathedral City, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Cathedral City, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Film permit officer (city manager or designee)
- Advance notice
- Five working days; ten when traffic or safety is affected
- Insurance
- One million dollars combined single limit, city as co-insured
- Application fee
- Set by City Council resolution
- Cleanup bond
- Refundable faithful performance bond can be required
- Appeal
- To the Cathedral City City Council
Summary
In Cathedral City, California, commercial filming or still photography outside an established studio requires a motion picture or still photography permit from the film permit officer, who is the city manager or a designee. Requests are due at least five working days ahead, and ten working days when traffic or public safety is affected.
Except as otherwise provided herein, it is unlawful for any person to engage in the business or activity of the filming, videotaping or otherwise producing motion pictures or still photography for television or public exhibition at any place within the city, other than at or in an established motion picture, television or photography studio, unless such person has first been issued a motion picture or still photography permit by the film permit officer. ... An applicant will be required to submit a permit request at least five working days prior to the date on which such person desires to conduct an activity for which a permit is required. If such activity interferes with traffic or involves any other potential public safety hazards, an application may be required at least ten working days in advance. ... Procured public liability insurance in the amount of one million dollars combined single limit naming the city of Cathedral City as co-insured (this requirement may be waived by the city's risk management officer);
Full Breakdown
Chapter 5.70 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code, adopted by the City Council of Cathedral City in Riverside County, regulates commercial filming and photography. Section 5.70.030 makes it unlawful to produce motion pictures or still photography for television or public exhibition anywhere in the city, other than at an established studio, without a permit. The film permit officer is the city manager or his designee and also serves as the Cathedral City liaison to the California film office. Section 5.70.040 exempts footage shot solely for private or family use, for a criminal investigation or civil proceeding, for news purposes, for charitable purposes, and video surveillance security systems.
The application, filed on the officer's form under § 5.70.050, lists the applicant's name and address, the locations, dates and times, the number and type of motor vehicles, the exact number of personnel, any animals or pyrotechnics, the city employees and public facilities requested, and the person in charge at each location. A processing fee set by City Council resolution is due when the completed form is submitted (§ 5.70.070). The officer approves the application only when the activity poses no threat to public health and safety and protects property, and can attach conditions (§ 5.70.080). Before issuance the applicant must carry public liability insurance of one million dollars combined single limit naming the city of Cathedral City as co-insured, unless the city's risk management officer waives it, sign an agreement to indemnify, defend and hold the city harmless, and prepay the costs the officer reasonably estimates for city personnel and facilities. Overpayments are reimbursed and underpayments billed thirty days after the final day of shooting (§ 5.70.090). A refundable faithful performance bond can be required to guarantee cleanup and restoration of the site (§ 5.70.120). The permit runs for the time needed to finish the activities described in the application, and the officer can extend it for good cause (§§ 5.70.100, 5.70.110).
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 5.70.030, § 5.70.130 or § 5.70.140 is an infraction under Chapter 13.65 and a public nuisance under Chapter 13.80. Infraction fines are capped at two hundred fifty dollars for a first conviction, five hundred dollars for a second within twelve months, and seven hundred fifty dollars for a third; a fourth or later conviction carries a fine of one thousand dollars. The city can instead issue an administrative citation under Chapter 13.58. The film permit officer can summarily suspend or revoke a permit, and an aggrieved person can appeal to the City Council (§§ 5.70.160, 5.70.170).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues a film permit in Cathedral City?
How early must a production apply in Cathedral City?
Does a family video or news crew need a Cathedral City film permit?
What insurance does a Cathedral City film permit require?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cathedral City
California rules heatmap·Compare Cathedral City to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle location permits.