Newport Beach, CA Filming & Production: Student Filming (2026)
Key Facts
- Fee waived
- Application fee and daily permit fee
- Permit still required
- Yes, under § 5.46.010
- Qualifying enrollment
- High school through college/film school
- Application lead time
- 14 days before filming
Summary
Newport Beach still requires a film permit for student productions, but Section 5.46.030 waives both the application fee and the daily permit fee that other commercial filmmakers must pay.
Each application, except applications for a student film, shall be accompanied by an application fee as established by resolution of the City Council. ... The permittee, except those producing student films, shall pay to the City a permit fee as established by resolution of the City Council for each day or portion of a day during which such activities are conducted.
Full Breakdown
46 defines a 'student film' as the staging, shooting, making, capturing, taking or recording of images arising from enrollment in, or in connection with, a high school, junior college, college, university, or a specialty education institution such as a trade school, film school or art school, or any other educational program. 010: a student filmmaker still applies to the City Manager or Film Liaison, still files at least 14 days ahead on the City's application form, and still must supply the names and contact information of those responsible, the dates and hours, the locations, the approximate crew size, the equipment list, and a description of the activity.
030(C), which exempts student film applications from the application fee charged to other commercial productions, and exempts student film permittees from the per-day permit fee that other permittees must pay for each day or partial day of activity. 045, still apply to a student production.
Violations & Fines
A student film crew that shoots on covered property without first obtaining the Section 5.46.010 permit is subject to the same enforcement as any unpermitted commercial filming; the fee waiver in Section 5.46.030(C) does not waive the permit requirement itself. Appeal rights run through the City Manager and City Council under Section 5.46.060.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do student filmmakers pay the film permit fee in Newport Beach?
Do students still need to apply for a permit?
What counts as a 'student film' under the code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Newport Beach to another location·View the California filming & production overview
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Student Filming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle student filming.