Santa Ana, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

The application (Sec. 10-3) must name the applicant and any sponsoring organization, list the filming location, dates and times, the vehicles and license plates that will be parked on site, the city personnel the production wants on hand, a description of the scene, and the person in charge, plus a nonrefundable fee set by council resolution paid to the director of finance. Before the city manager issues the permit, Sec. 10-4 requires the applicant to obtain a comprehensive general liability policy of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence combined single limit, naming the City of Santa Ana, its officers and employees as additional insureds, with ten days' written notice to the city clerk before any cancellation or coverage change.

The permittee must also indemnify and hold the city harmless from any claim arising out of the filming. Under Sec. 10-5 the city manager must find that the applicant has complied with all applicable laws, that filming will not substantially interrupt traffic or building maintenance, will not interfere with fire, police or ambulance response, that no other use of the location is already planned, and that the applicant has deposited funds to cover the city's personnel, material and equipment costs, with any excess billed after the shoot and any balance refunded.

A permit is denied if these findings cannot be made or the application contains materially false information, and a denied or aggrieved applicant may appeal under Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code.