Santa Rosa, CA Special Events & Permits: Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way (2026)

Section 11-40.010 defines 'film production' as commercial filming activity on public property including film, video, digital, and still photography. Section 11-40.090 then bars any permit under the chapter for closing a public street, sidewalk, alley or parking area for a special event the City Manager finds is held solely to advertise a product for private profit, with the exception of film production. Filming does not skip the permit process itself: a production still needs a special event permit under Section 11-40.020, and its application, under Section 11-40.030(C)(5), must separately disclose information on film production components, including, but not limited to, stunts, chase scenes, pyrotechnics, explosions, gunfire or other special effects.

The same issuance standards apply as to any other special event under Section 11-40.050, covering traffic impact, police staffing, fire and ambulance access, and public safety risk, and the same fee, insurance and indemnification requirements of Section 11-40.040 apply to filming, since only free speech marches are exempted from those. A denial of a filming permit can be appealed to the City Council within three working days under Section 11-40.070, and the City Manager may cancel a filming permit under the emergency and compliance grounds in Section 11-40.080.