Costa Mesa, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Section 9-473(a) makes it unlawful to use any city street, alley, sidewalk, park, pier, off-street parking facility or other public property for commercial filming without first applying for and receiving a permit from the city manager or designee. Section 9-473(b) extends the same requirement to private-property shoots unless the filming needs no parking variance or public right-of-way, does not impair neighbors' quiet enjoyment, involves no pyrotechnics, is done by news media, or is solely for private family use. The application, filed under Section 9-474, must state the exact location, the inclusive filming dates and hours, a description of the activity including any disruptive elements, the name and contact information of the person in charge, headcount, use of animals or pyrotechnics, and a list of major equipment such as trucks, buses, limousines and cameras; the city can also accept the standard Orange County Film Commission form.

The city manager or designee must issue the permit once satisfied the shoot will not unreasonably interfere with traffic or pedestrian movement, endanger public peace or residents' quiet enjoyment, impede emergency vehicles, or create a fire or safety hazard, per Section 9-474(e), and must deny it if those conditions or any applicable law is not met. Section 9-475 layers on the money side: an application fee set by council resolution applies to every commercial permit, a separate daily location fee applies to public-property use, and preparation and strike days are billed at 50% of the daily rate; private-property filming carries no location fee.

Section 9-480 requires the city manager to approve or deny within five days of filing, and an aggrieved applicant can appeal to the city council within five days of that decision, with the council required to rule within 15 days.