Individual City Permits

The 12 incorporated towns in Monterey County have their own permit contact for filming with their city limits.

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Fees (per permit):  $590 Motion Picture, $280 Still Photography, and $110 Nonprofit/Student.

Special Requirements: Requiring two weeks ahead notice for film permits. Also projects involving some ITC and full street closures require a lengthy lead time (up to 30 days). Parking of production vehicles in downtown Carmel may need to be limited near production site due to parking constraints. “Off-season” (non-summer months and non-holiday weekends) is best time for filming in Carmel.  Along with a completed application, they require a copy of your COVID-19 safety protocols.

City of Marina

Fees: $255 (non-refundable), plus a City of Marina business license. Additional fees may apply depending upon use of city resources.

Special Requirements: A written description of project details, dates times, story board, etc. Request is at least three (3) weeks in advance. Processing time is contingent upon film project. Road closures, pyrotechnics, special effects or temporary closure of facilities may require longer processing lead-time.

City of Monterey

Permit Link: Film Permit Application (PDF)

Fees: $350 to $1,000 per day, depending on type and scope of project. Other fees may apply. Special fee arrangements can be made for multiple day filming.

Special Requirements: Permit processing time contingent upon film project requirements. Road closures, pyrotechnics, special effects and other elements may require longer processing times.

Harbor Area Filming: Monterey Harbormaster, John Haynes, 831-646-3950

City of Pacific Grove

Fees: Depends on city resources and location.  The film permit application can be found on the City of Pacific Grove’s website (014 Film Permit Application) and should be emailed once completed to PGPDRecords@CityofPG.org.

City of Salinas

Fees: Depends upon use of city resources.

Special requirements: Processing time is contingent upon film project. Road closures, pyrotechnics, special effects or temporary closure of facilities may require longer processing lead time.

City of Seaside

Fees: Special Event Application (long): $110 plus Film Permit Application: $1,050.

Special requirements: Processing time is contingent upon film project. Road closures (90 days), pyrotechnics, special effects or temporary closure of facilities may require longer processing lead time.

OTHER CITIES

The following cities have generally adopted the California Film Commission’s model permit process. Contact the City Manager’s Office at the following numbers:

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Please contact the Monterey County Film Commission at 831-646-0910 (cell: 831-594-9410) or email Film Commissioner Karen Nordstrand at Karen@FilmMonterey.org in advance of any filming to register the project, receive filming guidelines and tips, and to be advised of any changes in the following information.

The Monterey County Film Commission does not issue permits, but we are happy to help direct you to the appropriate jurisdictions which you’ll find listed within this section.