Mendocino County, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

06 of the Mendocino County Code, the Film Permit Chapter adopted by Ordinance No. 030(a) as filming, videotaping, or photographing for commercial purposes of movies, films, commercials, or television programs. 040 makes it unlawful for any movie production company to engage in the making of movies on County streets, or on land or in buildings owned by the County of Mendocino, without first obtaining a Mendocino County film permit. 030(c) means streets that are part of the official county-maintained road system. 050: it issues application forms, reviews completed applications, and can require production companies to obtain other permits from relevant departments before the film permit is granted.

The office may deny an application when reasonable conditions on the shoot will not prevent substantial disruption of traffic or county government activity, traffic hazards, environmental damage, unacceptable zoning violations, or when the request is to use county property not normally open to the public. 060 requires a nonrefundable processing fee, set by Board of Supervisors resolution, paid when the application is filed. 070 makes any violation a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail, a fine of up to $500, or both, with each day of an ongoing violation charged as a separate offense.