Brentwood, CA Filming & Production: Street Closures (2026)

Brentwood's municipal code does not contain a stand-alone film permit chapter. Instead, Section 5.64.020, in the sidewalk vending chapter, defines a "temporary special permit" as any permit issued by the city for the temporary use of, or encroachment on, a sidewalk or other public area, expressly including an encroachment permit, special event permit, or temporary event permit, "for purposes, including, but not limited to, filming, parades, or outdoor concerts." That places location filming inside the same permitting track as any other temporary public-area use. When a production needs an actual street closed rather than just a sidewalk or curb lane, Section 12.08.300 of the street encroachments chapter gives the city engineer authority to temporarily close a public street in conjunction with an encroachment permit, and lets the engineer, at his or her discretion, forward the closure request to the city council for consideration rather than approving it administratively.

The general encroachment permit process in Chapter 12.08 then applies: an application to the city engineer under Section 12.08.020, a deposit against processing and inspection costs under Section 12.08.180, and standards for public safety and access to the street during the closure under Section 12.08.280, which requires work or use to be planned to least interfere with public safety and the convenient travel of the general public.