Madera County, CA Filming & Production: Street Closures (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 5.19.130
- Who approves
- Road commissioner or designee
- Lead time
- 15 business days minimum
- Scope
- Unincorporated Madera County roads only
Summary
A film production that needs to close a public street in unincorporated Madera County must request it in the permit application, and the road commissioner decides whether to approve it.
The applicant for a film permit may request that the county authorize a temporary street closure for the film permit application. The road commission or his designee is authorized to approve the closure of streets for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street and the general public during the temporary closure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Madera County Code § 5.19.130 lets a film permit applicant request a temporary street closure as part of the permit application; the road commissioner or a designee decides whether to approve it, weighing the safety of the public and anyone using that stretch of road. Applications involving street closures also carry a longer lead time, § 5.19.050 requires filing at least fifteen business days before filming begins, versus ten business days for a standard filming application without a closure. This applies to unincorporated Madera County roads only; the cities of Madera and Chowchilla control closures on their own streets.
Violations & Fines
Closing a public street without an approved film permit is unpermitted filming, enforceable as a misdemeanor under § 5.19.170, separate from any traffic or obstruction violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves a street closure for filming in Madera County?
How far ahead must I apply for a filming street closure?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera County to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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