Multnomah County, OR Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Multnomah County, OR, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit needed for
- Filming that closes a lane/sidewalk
- Applies to
- 6 county-owned Willamette River bridges
- Civil penalty
- Up to $500 per day
- Reviewing authority
- Director, Chair, or Board (size-based)
- Application deadline
- 15-45 days before event
Summary
Multnomah County requires a special event permit before filming on any of its six Willamette River bridges, Broadway, Burnside, Hawthorne, Morrison, Sellwood or Sauvie Island, whenever the shoot closes a lane or sidewalk.
FILMING USE. A special event, which uses a bridge for the production of a film, video, or any other visual or audio recording. ... Except as provided in this subchapter, a special event permit is required to stage and conduct a special event.
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 29's Bridge Special Events ordinance, the county code defines 'filming use' as any special event that uses a Multnomah County bridge to produce a film, video, or other recording. A sponsor must file a special event permit application with the county's Transportation Program, pay the application fee, and, depending on size and duration, obtain review from the Director, County Chair, or full Board of Commissioners. Filming that closes a lane or sidewalk needs U.S. Coast Guard consent, liability insurance, and City of Portland or state authorization for the connecting streets. Non-exclusive, contained filming that leaves the bridge open to the public is exempt from the permit requirement.
Violations & Fines
Conducting an unpermitted filming special event on a county bridge is a civil violation carrying up to $500 per day the violation continues, per § 29.999.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover filming anywhere in Multnomah County?
Can a small film crew skip the permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon filming & production overview
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