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- Commercial intent: If the footage or photos are being used to sell, promote, advertise, or support paid work, the shoot is usually considered commercial.
- Public vs. private property: Rules can differ depending on where you shoot. Public property often has permit requirements, and in Orange, some commercial still photography scenarios may require a permit even on private property.
- Lead time: Permitting is not always fast. In some cases, Orange has cited timelines of around 16 days for certain film permits, so last-minute planning can create real risk.
- Parks: County parks and other outdoor public spaces often have separate rules, notice periods, and equipment restrictions.
- Write a one-paragraph shoot summary: Include the date, hours, exact address, crew size, vehicle count, and any equipment that changes the footprint of the shoot, such as C-stands, large modifiers, generators, dollies, drones, or amplified audio.
- Ask the direct permit question: Contact the city or property manager and ask, “Does commercial still photography at this address require a film permit, even if we are indoors on private property and under X people?”
- Confirm responsibility: Some locations expect the production team to pull the permit, while others only allow filming under their own approval process.
