Anaheim, CA Special Events & Permits: Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way (2026)
Key Facts
- Cross-referencing section
- AMC § 18.38.135.040(.0407)
- Underlying film permit
- AMC Chapter 4.03
- Issuing authority
- Director of Public Works
- Application lead time
- 10 business days minimum
- Violation penalty
- Misdemeanor, permit revocation (4.03.110)
Summary
Filming inside Anaheim's Arena, Convention Center or Stadium Festival Districts during a qualifying festival doesn't escape the City's separate film permit: Section 18.38.135 folds commercial filming review into the festival permit, but the underlying film permit itself still runs through Chapter 4.03, issued by the Director of Public Works.
.0407 Commercial Filming. Commercial filming shall be permitted subject to the requirements of Chapter 4.03 (Commercial Filming) of the Anaheim Municipal Code. ... 4.03.030 PERMIT REQUIRED. No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence within the City of Anaheim for the purposes of taking commercial motion pictures or television photography without first applying for and receiving a film permit from the City of Anaheim as provided in this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
0407 of the Anaheim Municipal Code addresses commercial filming as one of the activities a festival permit can bundle: 'Commercial Filming. 135 itself. 030 requires anyone using public or private property, a facility, or a residence in Anaheim to take commercial motion pictures or television photography to first apply for and receive a film permit from the City. 050, and applications must be filed at least ten business days before the permit's effective date. 040. 03 rather than replacing it, a producer filming during a Festival District event still needs both the festival permit's approval and, functionally, compliance with the film permit's insurance, indemnity and application requirements.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Chapter 4.03 or a film permit's conditions lets the City, through the Director of Public Works, Police Department, Fire Department or Code Enforcement Division of the Planning Department, revoke the permit outright. Section 4.03.110 further makes such a violation a misdemeanor punishable under AMC Section 1.01.370, up to a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
If my film shoot is covered by an Anaheim festival permit, do I still need a separate film permit?
Who issues Anaheim's commercial film permit?
Is news coverage inside a Festival District exempt from the film permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
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