Film/Photography Permit

A Film Permit is required for all activities in relations to motion picture, radio and television production (e.g., feature films and non-current news radio and television shows), still photography activity (e.g., photos to be used for commercial ads in various publications, such as magazines or catalogs) and student productions within the City limits.

Film production/still photography activity is permitted from 7 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. Under certain conditions, filming may be permitted from 6 AM through 11:59 PM Monday through Saturday. Filming is prohibited on Sunday, City holidays or from 12 AM to 5:59 AM. A separate film permit application is required for each property used within the City.

Residents who wish to object to all filming activities within 300 feet of their property may complete the Objection Form and email to filmpermit@lcf.ca.gov. The objection form expires at the end of each calendar year.

Film Permit Fee

To apply:


Complete the City’s Online Application (no later than 12:00 pm a minimum five business days, excluding city holidays) in advance of the scheduled start date. A complete application includes the following:

• Application form with all fields completed

• For fields that do not apply list “None”.

• Copy of the Permission to Use Property form signed by Property Owner,

• Proof of insurance form with “City of La Cañada Flintridge” listed as additional insured*. Please attach PDF file on final page of application

*Applicant is to maintain in full force and effect general liability and automobile liability insurance each in the amounts not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, with a combined aggregate of two million dollars ($2,000,000.00). During any activity which includes chase scenes, special effects, stunts or activities involving aircraft, not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage insurance shall be required. All insurance policies will name, by endorsement, the city as an additional insured to the extent of the liability assumed by applicant, and protect the city against any legal costs in defending claims.

Only applications which include all the listed items above will be deemed complete and ready for review. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed nor considered.

Once a complete application is submitted, City staff will contact the production company regarding fees and other requirements to obtain a permit.
Municipal Code 6.04

Please review and acknowledge the below guidance from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health’s Reopening Protocols for Music, Television, and Film Production. The Order in its entirety can be read here

- All cast shall wash or sanitize hands when beginning the filming of a scene and not touch their face during the filming session. Any crew that must interact with the set or cast must also wash or sanitize their hands at the beginning of filming and must wear a facial covering.

- Any work, including scenes, requiring cast or crew to be closer than six (6) feet must be as brief as possible and cast must be as silent as possible to avoid spreading droplets through talking. Scenes with direct prolonged physical contact between cast (intimate scenes, fight scenes) are discouraged at this time.

-Large crowd scenes should be avoided. All on location filming must adhere to operating hours between 7am and 10pm whenever feasible.

On-Location Filming

- A workflow and COVID-19 safety protocol must be written before filming occurs and shared with all cast and crew on location.

- A listing of all cast and crew participating in the filming must be maintained in case there is a need to perform contact tracing in the event of an illness or positive viral test in cast or crew.

- Physical distancing of at least six (6) feet between people is required on all off-camera areas including the cast and crew holding and common areas, the video village, craft services/dining, and all other work areas. Provide additional areas, equipment (such as video village monitors) to allow for distancing.

- Only essential cast and crew should be on or near the set at any time and physical distancing must be maintained.

- If transportation is needed between filming sites, use a higher-capacity vehicle as much as possible to allow for six (6) feet of physical distancing as much as is feasible. Establish a passenger capacity number and post it on the side of the vehicle. If needed, provide more vehicle trips with fewer passengers per trip. Require facial coverings for all passengers (including cast) and driver, leave windows open, if possible, during the ride. All off-camera staff must wear facial covering throughout the workday. All cast and crew should stay on location during the workday, including all breaks.

- All on location filming must adhere to operating hours between 7am and 10pm whenever feasible.

Permit Fees:

Application Fee: $100.00

Neighborhood Notification Fee: $1 per notice

Permit fee: $100.00

Public Right of Way/City Property Use* Fee: $1,500.00 per day (if applicable)

*Use includes but not limited to any film related activity within the public right of way, including staging, parking, filming and etc.

Traffic Engineer Review (if applicable): $175 per hour

LA County Fire Permit (fee determined/paid to LA County not the City).

If changes are made to the production activities after submission, the review of new information will require additional fees.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I, hereby agree to submit the $100.00 application fee within one (1) business day of submitting this application. I acknowledge failure to do so will result in automatic denial of the application.

I acknowledge that all information I have provided is true. Further, I acknowledge that filming activities must comply with all conditions of the approved permit. These conditions are intended to mitigate production impacts to the surrounding neighborhood, and may include, but are not limited to;

• Filming activities may only occur during hours approved by the Director

• Temporary posting of “no parking” signs in front of or near subject property

• Approval of Traffic Control Plan by City’s Traffic Engineer

• Approval and issuance of a permit by Los Angeles County Fire Department

• Presence of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

• Survey of residents/collection of requisite amount of resident signatures

• Off-site parking requirements

• Other conditions determined to be necessary by the Director

I have read the rules and regulations as stated in the Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 and hereby agree to abide by them. In addition, I have also read the above questions, and certify that my answers are correct. I further agree and understand that violation of the rules and regulations set forth could result in a denial/suspension of the use of the film permit(s).