The City's Parks and Recreation Department administers and issues Film Permits for both motion picture and still photography engagements. The City is home to a major production studio and is an attractive site for film productions of many types. The City boasts a beautiful picturesque 3.8 square mile beach town with a breathtaking 2.1 mile ocean front with a Pier and Roundhouse. 

Below, you will find the City of Manhattan Beach Filming Policies, Regulations (MBMC 6.18.010), City Map, Fees, Insurance Docs and the Photography/Filming Permit Application. The City can provide you with Police, Fire, Traffic, Streets, Parks and Facilities services, all to make your filming experience an enjoyable and rewarding one. The City of Manhattan Beach is unique in our “one-stop shop” approach to professionally processing your permit.  Depending on location, size and complexity most film permits are processed within 15 days (MBMC 6.18.040).  Due to the City's safety staffing resources, impacts to residential areas and public right of way the City allows one film permit activity per calendar day.

Check out the City of Manhattan Beach. We offer the types of locations you want and the support services you need.

The City of Manhattan Beach requires that any person engaged in the business or activity of filming, video taping or otherwise producing motion pictures or still photography for television or public exhibition at any place within the City, other than at or in an established motion picture studio, must first obtain a motion picture or still photography permit from the City's film permit office through the Finance Department. Filming on the Beach/Sand will require an additional permit; please contact the Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors.  Filming in a City Park or Facility will require adherence to City Parks - Policies and Procedures.  Certain filming activity that impact traffic requires a traffic control plan which must accompany the film permit application and be reviewed by the City's Traffic Engineering (fees will apply based on the amount of time spent to review and approve the traffic plan).

For more information regarding obtaining a City of Manhattan Beach Filming/Photography permit, please call Janeth Medina at (310) 802-5410 or via email.

Prior to obtaining a Temporary Film Permit from the City you must comply with all insurance requirements, see forms below:

• Film Permit Application
• Staffing hourly rates 
• Additional Fees (PDF)
• City Municipal Code Ordinance on Filming (PDF)
• City Parks - Policies and Procedures
• Insurance Document 1 - Hold Harmless Agreement (PDF)
• Insurance Document 2 - General Liability Endorsement (PDF)
• Insurance Document 3 - Auto Liability Endorsement (PDF)
• Signature/Acknowledgment Letter Sample (PDF) (if necessary)
• City Map (PDF)
• City Refuse Pick-up Schedule (PDF)
• City Street Sweeping Schedule