Manteca, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Manteca, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit needed for
- Commercial motion/TV/still photos
- Issued by
- City manager or designee
- Use fee
- None charged
- Insurance required
- $1 million liability minimum
Summary
Manteca requires a city manager-issued permit before shooting commercial motion pictures, television or still photography on public or private property, with liability insurance and a hold-harmless agreement but no permit fee.
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 designee.
B. Exemption:
1. News Media. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or affect reporters, photographers or cameramen in the employ of a news service, or similar entity engaged in on-the-spot broadcasting of news events concerning those persons, scenes or occurrences which are in the news and of general public interest;
2. The filming or video taping of motion pictures solely for private-family use;
3. Charitable Films. Projects which qualify under Section (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
4. Education, government and public access, and local origination programs for cable television services franchised within the city. (Ord. 853 § 1, 1990)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4829770; v11 updated 2026-04-21).
Full Breakdown
Manteca Municipal Code Chapter 5.52 requires anyone using public or private property to shoot commercial motion pictures, television or still photography to obtain a filming permit from the city manager or designee before starting. Applicants must disclose the location, dates, personnel, animals or pyrotechnics and equipment involved, carry at least $1 million in liability insurance naming the city as additional insured, sign a hold-harmless agreement, and may be required to post a refundable performance bond. News media, private family filming, charitable Section 501(c)(3) projects and city-franchised cable access programming are exempt, and no use fee is charged.
Violations & Fines
Filming commercially without a permit, or violating permit conditions, lets the city cancel the permit; violating Chapter 5.52 or the terms of a filming permit is a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to shoot a commercial photo shoot in Manteca?
Does Manteca charge a fee for a filming permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manteca
California rules heatmap·Compare Manteca to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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