Vallejo, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Vallejo, CA, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit required from
- City Manager
- Governing section
- VMC Sec. 7.95.030
- Application fee
- Nonrefundable, set by council resolution
- Reviewing departments
- Police, fire, public works, risk manager
- Adopted
- Ord. 1427 N.C. (2d), 2000
- Exempt
- News crews, studio filming, private noncommercial use
Summary
Vallejo requires a film permit before anyone may use public property to shoot a motion picture, television production, or commercial still photography. Municipal Code Section 7.95.030 puts the city manager in charge of issuing permits, and Chapter 7.95 exempts news gathering, in-studio productions, court and criminal investigation filming, and purely private, noncommercial filming that doesn't impede public property.
No person shall use any public property or facility the purpose of making any motion picture production, television production, or commercial still photography without first applying for and receiving a film permit therefore from the city manager. As used in this chapter "city manager" includes any city employee designed the city manager to perform the duties assigned to city manager under this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Update 12 - 25).
Full Breakdown
C. (2d) in 2000, governs motion picture production, television production, and commercial still photography on public property in Vallejo. 030 requires a film permit from the city manager before any such use of public property or a public facility, and defines 'city manager' to include any city employee the city manager designates to administer the chapter. 040 exempts news reporters covering events of public interest, filming at a studio located in the city, filming for criminal investigations or court proceedings, filming conducted by or for the city, purely private and noncommercial filming that doesn't impede public property, and 'minor filming' requiring no city services beyond what any citizen already receives, if the city manager approves it.
050 lets the city manager set rules based on traffic congestion, public health, safety and welfare, disruption of normal activities, and property safety, and requires a deposit for city costs. 060 routes every application through the police, fire, and public works departments, the risk manager, and any other affected department before the city manager may issue a permit, and requires applicants to submit shooting scripts and location schedules. 110 requires a nonrefundable application fee set by city council resolution to cover administrative costs.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 7.95 does not print its own fine schedule, so unpermitted filming on public property is enforced through the citywide general penalty in Section 1.12.010, up to a $500 infraction fine or a $1,000 misdemeanor fine and up to six months in jail. Section 7.95.140 separately makes a permittee responsible for reimbursing all city costs for police, fire, and public works personnel and equipment used to support the production, plus any emergency or nuisance-response costs caused by a violation of the permit's conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film in Vallejo?
Is news coverage exempt from Vallejo's film permit requirement?
What does a Vallejo film permit application require?
Who pays for police or fire support during filming in Vallejo?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vallejo
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