Rocklin, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Section 12.32.040 governs the core location permit requirement in Chapter 12.32, Filming Activities: it is unlawful to conduct a filming activity, defined broadly in § 12.32.020(B) to include staging, shooting, videotaping or photographing for still photographs, motion pictures, television programs, or commercial and nontheatrical productions, on public property in Rocklin without first obtaining a film permit from the film permit coordinator, a person the city manager designates to issue film permits. Subsection B requires the permittee to keep the permit in their possession at all times while on location in the city.

Public property is defined in § 12.32.020(H) to include any street, right-of-way, public trail or bikeway, park, building or other real property the city owns or leases. Applicants must apply under the timelines in § 12.32.060: two business days ahead for ordinary filming, four business days ahead if traffic controls exceeding three minutes are proposed, and ten business days ahead for street closures, stunts, pyrotechnics or special effects. The film permit coordinator can deny an application under § 12.32.080 for reasons including substantial disruption of traffic or emergency access, interference with municipal functions, or a risk of injury or property damage.

Under § 12.32.100, applicants pay a film permit fee set by council resolution plus the city's actual costs, such as employee overtime, equipment or facility rental, street sweeping, and security personnel, and the city can require a cost deposit up front. Section 12.32.120 requires the applicant to carry insurance in forms and amounts the city prescribes for the duration of filming.