Huntington Beach, CA Special Events & Permits: Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit authority
- City Manager, HBMC § 5.54.020
- Zoning threshold
- 6+ days/quarter = 'Commercial Filming' use
- Limited filming
- 6 or fewer days/quarter, temporary use track
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 6 months jail
- Street closure review
- Police, Fire and Public Works sign-off
- News exemption
- Major network/news crews, aerial survey exempt
Summary
Any commercial or professional photography or filming that uses Huntington Beach public property needs a City Manager permit under Municipal Code Chapter 5.54. The Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance separately splits filming into two use classifications: 'Commercial Filming' for shoots exceeding six days per quarter at one location, and 'Commercial Filming, Limited,' a short-term temporary use for six or fewer days.
§ 5.54.020. Permit Required. No person shall engage in any commercial or professional photography which uses public property in this City as a location site without first applying to and obtaining from the City Manager, or his or her authorized representative, a permit therefor. ... § 5.54.090. Penalty. The failure of any person to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall constitute unlawful trespass on public property and shall be a misdemeanor. Upon conviction thereof, any person, firm or corporation shall be punished for each offense by a fine not to exceed $500.00 or six months in the county jail, or both such fine and conviction, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during which a violation occurs or continues.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).
Full Breakdown
020 requires anyone engaging in commercial or professional photography or video production that uses City-owned property as a location to first apply to and obtain a permit from the City Manager or a designee. 030 must identify the applicant and agent, the site and nature of the activity, and the requested dates and times, and must include an agreement to reimburse the City for any City personnel or equipment used and to restore the site afterward. 040 requires the applicant to carry public liability, property damage, and workers' compensation insurance.
050 requires a nonrefundable processing fee set by City Council resolution plus, if requested, a refundable cleanup deposit. 070 routes the request through the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Public Works Director to evaluate traffic, emergency-access, and parking impacts before approval. 20. 080.
Violations & Fines
Filming on City property without the Chapter 5.54 permit is unlawful trespass on public property and a misdemeanor under Section 5.54.090, punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense. The City Manager can also require forfeiture of the cleanup deposit if the site is not restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film on Huntington Beach's beach or streets?
What's the difference between 'Commercial Filming' and 'Commercial Filming, Limited' in the zoning code?
What happens if I film without a permit?
Is news coverage exempt from the filming permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
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