Sacramento County, CA Filming & Production: Production Noise (2026)

Section 4.50.150 authorizes the Treasurer-Tax Collector, acting under the general conditioning power of § 4.10.045, to attach conditions to a motion picture production's Special Business License. Subsection (a) lets the Treasurer-Tax Collector control "the time, place or manner of conducting the motion picture production, for the purpose of reducing disruption of traffic, disruption of public services, disruption of the public peace or quiet, or the minimization of any hazard to the public safety which could result from the production." The Article's stated purpose in § 4.50.100 explains why: productions can create "noise which disturbs the public quiet or convenience" along with traffic disruption and crowds of sightseers, so the license exists to make sure the county's public-safety and public-works resources are committed at the times and in the manner needed, at the licensee's cost.

Subsection (b) backs the noise and disruption conditions with money: the Treasurer-Tax Collector can require a cash deposit to cover the cost of any public resources, including personnel from the County or a fire protection district, needed to facilitate the production or reduce disruption of traffic, public peace and quiet, or safety hazards. Under § 4.10.045, any condition, whether a noise-related restriction on filming hours and location or a cash deposit requirement, must be served on the licensee in a written notice stating the reasons; it takes effect fifteen days after service unless the licensee files a timely appeal, in which case the condition is stayed until the appeal is decided.