National City, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Motion picture filming has no chapter of its own in National City's code. Section 15.60.005(D) lists it among the examples of special events, next to public concerts, parades, fairs, festivals and block parties. A special event is any organized activity that uses or affects public property or facilities and needs municipal and public safety services, so a shoot goes through a temporary use permit under Chapter 15.60. The building official administers the chapter, coordinates each application with the other departments and agencies whose requirements apply, and reports violations to the city attorney.

Filming has its own filing windows. Photography and motion picture applications needing a Class A permit are filed at least ten working days ahead, and Class B applications at least two working days ahead. Other Class A and Class B uses need fifteen working days. Class A means City Council approval and Class B is issued by the building official. Council policy adopted by resolution decides which class an activity falls in, so the class for a given shoot comes from that policy and not from the code text. The building official starts review of a complete application within eight calendar days and issues or denies a Class B permit no later than ten calendar days after that. Unless the parties agree otherwise, missing that deadline counts as denial of a Class B permit. Class A applications go to the City Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Under Section 15.60.030 the building official can require proof of related approvals such as fire prevention, health and sanitation, building, police, animal regulation and business licensing, and can set conditions on hours of use, noise and amplified sound, security, trash, lighting, traffic control, insurance and notice to surrounding residents. Section 15.60.065 sets liability insurance at one million dollars combined single limits and allows a security deposit of up to twenty-five thousand dollars for damage to public property. A Class A permit runs ten days or as the Council limits it, and a Class B permit runs for the times on its schedule. Processing fees come from the city fee schedule and are nonrefundable.