San Luis Obispo County, CA Filming & Production: Student Filming (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 2.11.053(b)
- What is waived
- Permit fees only, not the permit
- Proof required
- Letter on school letterhead
- Letter must confirm
- Enrollment + non-commercial use
- Permit still required under
- Sec. 2.11.052
- Unpermitted filming penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 6 months jail
Summary
Student filmmakers still need a county film permit to shoot on county property, but Sec. 2.11.053(b) waives the permit fee for anyone who submits a school-letterhead letter confirming enrollment and non-commercial use.
(b)Any applicant who submits a letter written on school letterhead by a school administrator or instructor stating that the applicant is currently enrolled in a recognized United States educational institution and that the film, video tape or photograph is not for commercial release is exempt from any permit fees established pursuant to this chapter.
Full Breakdown
County Code Sec. 11 if the applicant submits a letter, written on school letterhead by a school administrator or instructor, stating the applicant is currently enrolled in a recognized United States educational institution and that the film, video tape or photograph is not for commercial release. The exemption reaches only the fees the issuing agency (Department of Central Services) sets under Sec. 054, which otherwise cover personnel and property usage charges approved by the Board of Supervisors; it does not excuse a student production from applying for and holding the film permit itself, which Sec.
052 still requires for any motion picture, television or still photography use of county property. Students remain subject to the same application content under Sec. 055 (production contact, filming dates/times, hazardous-activity description, insurance proof, cast/crew count) and the same insurance and indemnification obligations under Secs. 057, since the student fee exemption sits alongside, but is legally distinct from, the separate exemptions for charitable films and news media under Sec. 053(a), and the private-use and news-reporting carve-outs under Sec. 053(c)-(d).
Violations & Fines
The fee waiver does not waive the permit requirement: a student crew that films on county property without first obtaining the Sec. 2.11.052 permit is subject to the same enforcement as any other unpermitted production, including denial or revocation under Sec. 2.11.059 and, absent a specific infraction designation, the general penalty at Sec. 1.04.010, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine and/or up to six months in county jail. Insurance certificates under Sec. 2.11.057 remain mandatory even when the fee itself is waived.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do student filmmakers still need a permit to film on county property in San Luis Obispo County?
What proof does a student need to get the fee waived?
Does the student exemption cover insurance or indemnification requirements too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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