San Mateo County, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in San Mateo County, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 3.68.080(w)
- Permit issuer
- Parks Director
- Exemption
- Bona fide news reporting
- Scope
- County parks only, not cities
Summary
Commercial cameras in unincorporated county parks need a written permit from the Parks Director before shooting, with a news-gathering exemption.
Commercial Filming. No person shall operate a still, motion picture, video or other camera for commercial purposes in any County Park or Recreation area, or on the San Francisco Fish and Game Refuge, except pursuant to a written permit from the Director or the General Manager and Chief Engineer, or their representative, for the areas under their respective jurisdictions authorizing such activity. This section shall not apply to the commercial operation of cameras as part of the bonafide reporting of news.(x)Closed Areas. No person shall enter any road, trail or area that is posted as closed or restricted without permission from the County Parks and Recreation Director.(y)Any person found to be in violation of this section or any of its subsections shall be subject to removal from the County Park and/or Recreation Area upon the directive of Department personnel or law enforcement. It is unlawful for any person so directed to fail to leave the County Park and/or Recreation Area. (Prior code § 3387; Ord. 415, 06/25/34; Ord. 976, 01/15/52; Ord. 1287, 05/06/58; Ord. 2394, 09/21/76; Ord. 2807, 10/26/82; Ord. 3252, 07/31/90; Ord. 3796, 11/4/97; Ord. 3863, 12/1/98)
(Ord. No. 04805, § 2, 11-6-2018; Ord. No. 04855, § 2, 11-16-2021)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
County Ordinance Code Section 3.68.080(w) bars operating a still, motion picture, video or other camera for commercial purposes in any County Park or Recreation area, or on the San Francisco Fish and Game Refuge, except under a written permit from the Director or General Manager and Chief Engineer. Bona fide news reporting is exempt. This applies only to County Parks and Recreation areas in unincorporated San Mateo County: cities like Redwood City or San Mateo run their own park permitting.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 3.68 is a misdemeanor under Section 3.68.010 unless the section specifies otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film in a San Mateo County park?
Does this cover city parks too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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