Merced, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Merced, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- City finance officer
- Lead time
- Apply at least 3 working days ahead
- Permit fee
- None, but city costs are reimbursed
- Insurance required
- $1 million liability, city as coinsured
- Performance bond
- $1,000 to guarantee site cleanup
- Exemptions
- Breaking news crews, private family video
Summary
Merced requires a permit from the finance officer before anyone stages or shoots a commercial motion picture, television show, or commercial on public or private property, under Municipal Code Section 5.52.010. News crews covering breaking events and private family videos are exempt, but every other production must apply at least three working days ahead.
No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence for the purpose of staging or shooting commercial motion pictures, television shows, or commercials without first applying for and receiving a permit from the finance officer.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 - 1-26).
Full Breakdown
010 of the Merced Municipal Code prohibits using any public or private property, facility, or residence to stage or shoot a commercial motion picture, television show, or commercial without first applying for and receiving a permit from the finance officer. 020 exempts news reporters, photographers, and camera operators covering on-the-spot news events of general public interest, as well as anyone filming or videotaping solely for private family use. 030 requires the application at least three working days before filming and calls for the property owner's name, address, and phone number; the exact filming dates and hours; a description of the activity; the name and contact information of the person in charge; the number of personnel involved; whether animals or pyrotechnics will be used; and the type and number of vehicles and equipment on site.
040 charges no permit fee itself, but the production company must reimburse the city for any police, fire, or traffic personnel assigned to assist. 080 requires a one-thousand-dollar faithful performance bond to guarantee cleanup. 100 further requires written permission or a lease from the owner of any private property not controlled by the city before filming there.
Violations & Fines
Filming without the Section 5.52.010 permit, or on private property without the owner's consent under Section 5.52.100, is enforced like any other Merced Municipal Code violation: Chapter 1.12 makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to one year in county jail, or both, unless the city designates the offense an infraction. A production that skips the required liability insurance, hold-harmless agreement, or performance bond will not be issued a permit in the first place under Sections 5.52.050 through 5.52.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film a commercial in Merced?
Is there a fee for a Merced filming permit?
Are news crews exempt from Merced's filming permit rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced
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