Chino, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Chino, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Business License Division
- Insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 combined single limit
- Bond minimum
- $1,000 faithful performance
- Separate requirement
- City business license also required
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. 89-24 (1990), amended Ord. 92-31 (1992)
Summary
Chino requires a location permit from the city manager before anyone shoots commercial motion pictures, television programs or commercial still photography on public or private property in the city, plus a separate business license. Violating the permit terms lets the city cancel it, keep the fees paid, and charge the applicant with a misdemeanor.
A.Permit Required. No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence for the purpose of taking commercial motion pictures or television pictures or commercial still photography without first applying for and receiving a permit from the city manager or his designee. Exemptions: 2.The filming or video taping of motion pictures or still photography solely for private-family use... A.Issuing Authority. The issuing of permits shall be administered by the department of management services business license division... D.A city business license must be obtained by the applicant in addition to the filming, photography and videography permit. ... If an applicant violates any provision of this chapter, rules and regulations, or permit issued pursuant thereto, the city may cancel the permit. The applicant shall forfeit any and all moneys paid to the city as a result of the canceled permit. Violation of the chapter, rules and regulations, or terms and conditions of the filming, photography and videography permit, or permit issued pursuant thereto, is considered a misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
48 governs filming permits. 030(A) requires a permit from the city manager or designee before anyone uses public or private property, a facility or a residence for commercial motion pictures, television pictures or commercial still photography. 050(A), and applicants must supply the property owner's contact information, the exact filming location, the inclusive hours and dates, the nature of the activity, the number of personnel, any use of animals, pyrotechnics, stunts or special effects, the vehicles and equipment involved, and the impact on public property such as streets, alleys or parks.
050(D) requires a separate city business license in addition to the filming permit. 060). The city may also require a refundable faithful performance bond of not less than one thousand dollars to guarantee site cleanup. 030 exempts news media covering spontaneous news events, private-family use filming such as weddings, charitable 501(c)(3) projects (which owe no additional permit fee but must still complete the permit form), the city's franchised cable company, and student classroom projects verified by a letter from the school's instructor and administrator. The chapter traces to Ord. 89-24 (1990) and was amended by Ord. 92-31 (1992).
Violations & Fines
A violation of the chapter, the rules and regulations, or the terms of an issued permit is a misdemeanor under Section 5.48.070. The city may also cancel the permit outright, and the applicant forfeits all moneys already paid to the city as a result of the cancellation, with no recourse against the city for a withheld bond or deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film a wedding video in Chino?
What happens if a film crew violates its Chino filming permit?
Is a Chino filming permit the same as a business license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle location permits.