diff --git a/sdk/python/feast/permissions/enforcer.py b/sdk/python/feast/permissions/enforcer.py
index 2cb6608a2d..231ca52a25 100644
--- a/sdk/python/feast/permissions/enforcer.py
+++ b/sdk/python/feast/permissions/enforcer.py
@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ def enforce_policy(
         # If no permissions are defined, deny access to all resources
         # This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access
         logger.warning("No permissions defined - denying access to all resources")
-        if not filter_only:
-            raise FeastPermissionError("No permissions defined - access denied")
-        return []
+        raise FeastPermissionError(
+            "Permissions are not defined - access denied for all resources"
+        )
 
     _permitted_resources: list[FeastObject] = []
     for resource in resources:
@@ -71,9 +71,15 @@ def enforce_policy(
 
                 if evaluator.is_decided():
                     grant, explanations = evaluator.grant()
-                    if not grant and not filter_only:
-                        logger.error(f"Permission denied: {','.join(explanations)}")
-                        raise FeastPermissionError(",".join(explanations))
+                    if not grant:
+                        if not filter_only:
+                            logger.error(f"Permission denied: {','.join(explanations)}")
+                            raise FeastPermissionError(",".join(explanations))
+                        elif filter_only and not p.name_patterns:
+                            logger.error(f"Permission denied: {','.join(explanations)}")
+                            raise FeastPermissionError(",".join(explanations))
+                        else:
+                            continue
                     if grant:
                         logger.debug(
                             f"Permission granted for {type(resource).__name__}:{resource.name}"
@@ -81,7 +87,31 @@ def enforce_policy(
                         _permitted_resources.append(resource)
                     break
         else:
-            message = f"No permissions defined to manage {actions} on {type(resource)}/{resource.name}."
-            logger.exception(f"**PERMISSION NOT GRANTED**: {message}")
-            raise FeastPermissionError(message)
+            if not filter_only:
+                message = f"No permissions defined to manage {actions} on {type(resource)}/{resource.name}."
+                logger.exception(f"**PERMISSION NOT GRANTED**: {message}")
+                raise FeastPermissionError(message)
+            else:
+                # filter_only=True: Check if there are permissions for this resource type
+                resource_type_permissions = [
+                    p
+                    for p in permissions
+                    if any(isinstance(resource, t) for t in p.types)  # type: ignore
+                ]
+                if not resource_type_permissions:
+                    # No permissions exist for this resource type - should raise error
+                    message = f"No permissions defined to manage {actions} on {type(resource)}/{resource.name}."
+                    logger.exception(f"**PERMISSION NOT GRANTED**: {message}")
+                    raise FeastPermissionError(message)
+                elif not any(p.name_patterns for p in resource_type_permissions):
+                    # Permissions exist for this resource type but no name_patterns - should raise error
+                    message = f"No permissions defined to manage {actions} on {type(resource)}/{resource.name}."
+                    logger.exception(f"**PERMISSION NOT GRANTED**: {message}")
+                    raise FeastPermissionError(message)
+                else:
+                    # Permissions exist for this resource type with name_patterns - filter out this resource
+                    logger.debug(
+                        f"Filtering out {type(resource).__name__}:{resource.name} - no matching permissions"
+                    )
+                    continue
     return _permitted_resources