Palm Springs, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Palm Springs, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, from the film permit officer
- Application must list
- All proposed filming location(s)
- Insurance
- $1,000,000 combined single-limit, city as co-insured
- Application fee
- Set to cover actual processing cost
- Exceptions
- News media, private family use, studios, charitable films
- Appeal
- To city council under Section 5.76.140
Summary
Palm Springs requires a motion picture or still photography permit from the film permit officer before shooting anywhere in the city outside a fixed studio, and the application must list every proposed filming location. Applicants also need $1 million in liability insurance naming the city as co-insured before the permit is issued.
it is unlawful for any person to engage in the business or activity of the filming, video taping or otherwise producing motion pictures or still photography for television or public exhibition at any place within the city, other than at or in an established motion picture, television or photography studio, unless such person has first been issued a motion picture or still photography permit by the film permit officer. ... Location(s) of proposed motion picture or still photography activity;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
76 makes it unlawful to engage in the business of filming, video taping or shooting still photography for television or public exhibition anywhere in Palm Springs, other than at an established studio, without a permit from the film permit officer, defined as the city manager or designee and the city's liaison to the California Film Office. 050 requires the application to identify, among other things, the applicant's business information, the location(s) of the proposed activity, the dates and times, the number and type of vehicles to be used, any city employee services requested, and the name of the person in charge at each location.
060. 080 requires the applicant to procure one million dollars in combined single-limit public liability insurance naming the city as co-insured (waivable by the risk management officer), sign an indemnification agreement, and prepay the city's estimated costs for personnel and facilities used during the shoot. 100 lets the film permit officer extend it for good cause. 040. 140.
Violations & Fines
Filming without a required permit, or filming at a location not disclosed on the approved application, is unlawful under Section 5.76.030. The film permit officer can summarily suspend or revoke a permit under Section 5.76.130 for a violation of permit conditions, activity posing a threat to public health, safety or property, or filming outside the scope described in the application. A permittee can appeal a suspension, revocation or denial to the city council under Section 5.76.140.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film in Palm Springs?
What has to be in a Palm Springs filming permit application?
What insurance do I need to film in Palm Springs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Springs to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle location permits.