San Jacinto, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Chapter 5.64 of the San Jacinto Municipal Code, Commercial Filming Permits, states the city's policy to encourage motion picture, television, commercial, student film, electronic media and commercial still photography production while protecting public health, safety and property. The issuing authority is the city manager or a designee (§ 5.64.020).

Section 5.64.030 covers any public or private property, facility or residence in the city. The permit costs nothing, and the business license requirement is waived because of the temporary nature of filming. The city conditions each permit on time, place and manner terms for city roads or other property, and the issuing authority can move the permit date on reasonable advance notice without a new application.

Exemptions in § 5.64.040 cover news media on the spot, personal or family video, studio filming, filming for a criminal investigation or court proceeding, filming by or for the city, and filming entirely within a private residence, provided the shoot has no trailers parked on residential streets, no equipment stored or used outside, no simulated criminal activity, no simulated weapons, no sound effects audible outside, and no public nuisance.

For city property, § 5.64.050 limits on-location filming to ten consecutive days per production at one location, not counting strike and preparation time, with extensions at the city manager's discretion. The applicant pays actual and reasonable city costs for security, protection, traffic control or other services. Section 5.64.060 requires a certificate of insurance of $1,000,000 naming the city as co-insured, and no less than $5,000,000 per occurrence when aircraft are used, with thirty days' written notice before cancellation. A security deposit can be required for cleanup and restoration. Rules are issued under Government Code Section 14999.30 et seq. and approved by city council resolution (§ 5.64.080).