Madera, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

in 1990, requires a film permit for any commercial motion picture, television, or still photography activity on public or private property, a facility, or a residence in Madera. 03 makes the permit mandatory and states it stands in place of any other business license or permit otherwise required by Title VI. 04 cover news reporters and camera crews covering breaking news, private family videos, and films made by a qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable organization with no profit to anyone involved. 05 requires a sworn written application to the City Manager listing the property owner and address, the dates and hours of filming, the nature of the activity, the number of personnel, any animals or pyrotechnics, and the vehicles or equipment involved, along with a $100 application fee.

06 gives the City Manager or a designee authority to approve the permit with conditions after consulting the Police, Fire, Engineering, and Planning departments, so long as the applicant shows traffic, crowds, and public safety will be adequately handled. 07 requires the applicant to get the property owner's written permission for any site the city doesn't own or control, carry a minimum $1,000,000 certificate of liability insurance naming the city as co-insured, sign a hold-harmless agreement, and post a refundable cleanup bond or cash deposit set by the City Manager. 08 bars any assignment or transfer of a filming permit to another person.