Monterey Park, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Monterey Park, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Application lead time
- 10 working days minimum
- Insurance minimum
- $1 million per occurrence (2x)
- Fee structure
- Daily fee set by resolution
- News exemption
- On-the-spot news broadcasts exempt
- Default penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months
Summary
In the City of Monterey Park, no one may use city-owned property or facilities for commercial still photography or commercial film, television, cable, or video production without first obtaining a permit from the city manager under Municipal Code § 13.14.010, Chapter 13.14.
§ 13.14.010. Permit required. No person shall use any property or facility belonging to, or under the control of, the city for the purpose of taking commercial still pictures, or commercial film production for either motion pictures, television, cable or video purposes, without first applying for and receiving a permit therefor from the city manager or authorized representative.
Full Breakdown
Under § 13.14.020, an applicant must file a verified application with the city manager at least ten working days before the requested activity, listing the responsible person's contact information, the date and hours of the shoot, the location or locations within the city, the approximate number of participants, a list of major equipment such as trucks, buses, limousines, and cameras, and a statement of the activity's character, along with an application fee set by council resolution. Section 13.14.030 requires the city manager to grant the permit if the activity will not unduly interfere with traffic or pedestrian movement, endanger public peace or nearby property owners' quiet enjoyment, disrupt normal government or police operations, create uncompensated city costs, pose a fire hazard, or require diverting so many officers that other areas lose police protection; additional conditions may be attached.
Section 13.14.040 sets a daily permit fee, and § 13.14.045 requires the applicant to pay for any off-duty police or fire personnel the departments determine are needed. Insurance of at least one million dollars per bodily injury occurrence and one million dollars per property damage occurrence is required under § 13.14.050, though the city manager may waive or reduce that requirement for low-risk activities. Section 13.14.080 exempts on-the-spot news broadcasting of events of general public interest from the entire chapter.
Violations & Fines
Filming on city property without the required permit violates § 13.14.010 directly. Chapter 13.14 is not among Title 4.10's designated infractions, so an unpermitted shoot defaults to a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both. A permittee who fails to comply with any permit condition also faces suspension or outright revocation of the permit by the city manager under § 13.14.060.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film on Monterey Park city property?
How far in advance must I apply for a Monterey Park filming permit?
What insurance do I need for a film shoot in Monterey Park?
Is news coverage exempt from the Monterey Park filming permit rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monterey Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Monterey Park to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle location permits.