Hayward, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Hayward, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permitting agency
- Chief of Police
- Application lead time
- at least 2 weeks
- Insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 general liability
- Appeal deadline
- 3 business days to City Manager
- Penalty
- infraction, misdemeanor after 3rd conviction/12 months
Summary
Hayward requires a film permit from the Chief of Police before any filming activity takes place anywhere in the city outside a studio or enclosed building. Municipal Code Section 3-12.03 makes filming without a permit unlawful, with applications due at least two weeks ahead and conditions covering safety, cleanup, and site restoration.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 3-12.04, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in filming activity as defined in Section 3-12.02 any place within the City, other than an established studio as defined in Section 3-12.02 or within an enclosed structure or building, without a film permit from the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 28 Update 1 | Charter: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
13, makes it unlawful to conduct any filming activity anywhere in the city, other than at an established studio or inside an enclosed building, without a permit issued by the Chief of Police. "Filming activity" covers staging, shooting, filming, videotaping, or photographing for still photographs, motion pictures, television programs, music videos, and commercial or non-theatrical productions (Sec. 02). The ordinance exempts noncommercial family filming, filming for criminal or civil proceedings, bona fide news coverage broadcast within 24 hours, and educational or government-access cable programming (Sec.
04). Applicants must file with the Chief of Police at least two weeks before the proposed filming date; late applications may still be accepted for good cause if there is enough time to process them and prepare City staff (Sec. 05). Before granting a permit, the Chief of Police reviews the application for interference with public health, safety, and welfare, weighing noise, traffic congestion and hazards, fire hazards, environmental problems, and interference with street maintenance (Sec. 06). Permittees pay a fee set by City Council resolution plus reimbursement for City personnel assigned to the shoot (Sec.
07), and must carry general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 naming the City (Sec. 08). The Chief of Police may revoke a permit for noncompliance or a materially false application, and may suspend one on-site whenever filming poses an immediate hazard (Secs. 11). Denials, revocations, and suspensions can be appealed to the City Manager's office within three business days.
Violations & Fines
Filming without a permit, or violating any permit condition, is an infraction under Section 3-12.13, punishable by a fine up to the limits set in Government Code Section 36900. A person convicted three times of violating the Film Permit Ordinance within any twelve-month period faces misdemeanor charges for any further violation in that same period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film a home movie in Hayward?
How far ahead do I need to apply for a Hayward film permit?
What happens if I violate my Hayward film permit conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hayward
California rules heatmap·Compare Hayward to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle location permits.