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Santa Maria, CA Filming & Production: Production Noise (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

No fixed noise limit: Conditions set per-permit, not by ordinance
Device restriction: Firearms, explosives, noise-creating devices: Section 4-16.8(l)
Hours restriction: Daily filming hours limited: Section 4-16.8(p)
Neighbor notice: Mailed notice up to 300 ft: Section 4-16.8(j)
Denial ground: Anticipated neighborhood disruption: Section 4-16.7(a)(8)
Penalty: Misdemeanor for any chapter violation, Section 4-16.18

Summary

Santa Maria doesn't set a blanket decibel limit for movie and TV shoots. Section 4-16.8 instead lets the film development office attach permit conditions restricting the daily hours a production may film and limiting firearms, explosives and other noise-creating, flammable or hazardous devices, tailored to each location and shoot.

The film development office may condition the issuance of a film permit by imposing reasonable requirements concerning the time, place, manner and duration of filming activities as referenced in Attachment D to the ordinance codified in this chapter, "Film Permit Terms and Conditions," attached to the film permit, including but not limited to the following: ... (l) Restrictions on the use of firearms, explosives, and other noise-creating, flammable, or hazardous devices; ... (p) Restrictions on the daily hours the filming activity may be conducted within the City;

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4818069; v9 updated 2026-04-07).

Full Breakdown

8. That section authorizes "reasonable requirements concerning the time, place, manner and duration of filming activities," memorialized in "Film Permit Terms and Conditions" (Attachment D) that become part of the permit itself. " The office can also require advance mailed notice to tenants and property owners within up to 300 feet of the filming site (subsection (j)), functioning as an early-warning mechanism for noise-sensitive neighbors. 7(a)(8), the office may deny a permit outright if it anticipates "neighborhood disruption or significant neighborhood protest," giving it leverage to negotiate tighter noise conditions before approval rather than face a denial. 16.

Violations & Fines

There is no separate citation schedule for noisy filming; a production that ignores its permit's noise, hours, or device conditions is out of compliance with the permit itself. The film development office may revoke the permit for failure to comply with chapter requirements, and the Police or Fire Department may suspend it immediately if the activity poses a hazard the location manager will not correct (Section 4-16.16). Any violation of Chapter 4-16 is also a misdemeanor under Section 4-16.18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a decibel limit for film shoots in Santa Maria?

No fixed decibel number appears in Chapter 4-16. Instead, Section 4-16.8(l) and (p) let the film development office restrict noise-creating devices and set the daily hours a production can film as conditions written into that specific permit's Attachment D terms.

Can neighbors object to a loud film shoot before it happens?

Yes. The film development office can require the permittee to mail advance notice to tenants and property owners within up to 300 feet of the site (Section 4-16.8(j)), and Section 4-16.7(a)(8) lets the office deny the permit if it expects significant neighborhood protest or disruption.

What happens if a production violates its noise conditions?

The film development office can revoke the permit for noncompliance, and the Santa Maria Police or Fire Department can suspend it on the spot if the activity creates an immediate hazard (Section 4-16.16). Any violation of Chapter 4-16, including ignoring permit conditions, is also chargeable as a misdemeanor under Section 4-16.18.

Sources & Official References

[1]CHAPTER 4-16: FILMING ACTIVITIES - City of Santa Maria, CA (eCode360)

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