Portland, OR Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Portland, OR, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- License required
- Temporary business license, Ch. 7.03
- Fee
- $25 per day
- Duration covered
- Up to 3 days/calendar year
- Longer shoots
- Full business license, Ch. 7.02
- Pittock Mansion/Park
- Separate permit, Ch. 20.30.030
Summary
Film crews shooting in Portland for up to three days a year must get a temporary business license under City Code Chapter 7.03, paying $25 per day.
D. Production Company means a production company filming in the City for no more than three days in any calendar year.
E. Seasonal vendor means a vendor operating in a temporary location and conducting limited, seasonal sales (including, but not limited to, Christmas trees and fireworks).
F. Special events vendor means a vendor operating in a temporary location and selling special event-related merchandise (including, but not limited to, sporting events). 7.03.040 License Required; Fees. Temporary businesses must apply for and obtain temporary business license certificates from the revenue service and program of the City Administrator under Chapter 3.06. Temporary business license fees must be paid as provided below:
A. Temporary structure vendors and special events vendors must pay $10 per day per vendor, not to exceed $100 per location.
B. Amusement ride operators must pay $10 per day per vendor and $10 per day for each ride operated.
C. Promoters and production companies must pay $25 per day.
D. Seasonal sales vendors must pay $10 per day for each location, not to exceed $100 per location.
Full Breakdown
Portland City Code treats a film crew as a temporary business. Chapter 7.03.030 D defines a Production Company as one filming in the City for no more than three days in any calendar year. Under 7.03.040, that company must get a temporary business license certificate from the City Administrator's revenue program before shooting, and pay $25 per day. A shoot running longer than three days in a calendar year falls under the full Business License Law in Chapter 7.02 instead. Filming inside Pittock Mansion or Pittock Acres Park carries its own separate permit and fee under Chapter 20.30.030, with added charges for national-release television and motion picture work.
Violations & Fines
Filming without the temporary business license is a violation of Chapter 7.03; the City Administrator's revenue program can require the license and fee before or during the shoot and pursue collection under the Business License Law framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every film shoot in Portland need a permit?
What if filming runs longer than three days?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
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