WHEN DO YOU NEED A PERMIT TO FILM?

If you are filming on public property almost all cities and municipalities require that you obtain a filming permit. However sometimes a shooting permit will be required even if you are filming on private property.

Filmmakers should research several weeks in advance of the shoot date and check with the city clerk’s office in the city or municipality in which they’ll be shooting to find out the requirements, the application process, and the fees.

Requirements for issuing a filming permit differ from city to city but producers are usually required to provide some or all of the following:

A completed application, the shooting schedule, a certificate of insurance, fees which in addition to application fees may also include filming fees and a security deposit.

A letter of intent and notification to be distributed to the neighbors near the filming location may be required as well as a letter of indemnification stating the production company will indemnify and hold harmless the city or municipality.

In addition, a parking list of all trucks, generators, vans, cars, and any other mobile equipment to be parked on the city streets may be required.

There also may be special rules that apply to the film shoot itself. Such rules typically include blackout hours when no shooting may take place, parking rules, noise restrictions, requirements of local police on the set, the treatment of electrical cables, and other such special rules that will be provided by the office issuing the permit.

If producers do not obtain a permit and you try to shoot guerrilla style you may be looking at substantial penalties as filming without a permit is illegal in many cities, including Los Angeles.

If you are filming in Los Angeles, go to www.filmla.com for information on the application process.