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Filming Permission Process

The streamlined permit process is customized for each project according to its complexity. The San Diego Film Commission is the first point of contact for the entire region. This includes all county property, port district property touching San Diego Bay, the 18 incorporated cities (San Diego included), and all the outlying communities of San Diego county including private property.

Follow this general permitting procedure:

Step 1:
Contact the San Diego Film Commission
  • A specialized staff person will work with you in every genre from print photography to feature films and everything in between. Script, storyboards, and/or a letter of intent will be required as part of the pre-production evaluation.
Step 2:
Insurance Requirement
  • You must provide a certificate of insurance naming the City of San Di­ego, County of San Diego, San Diego Unified Port District, and San Diego Film Commission as additional insured in the amount of $2 million gen­eral comprehensive. This industry standard certificate of insurance must be on file prior to your first day of production. For details please refer to the sample certificate. For a list of local insurance providers please refer to the San Diego Film & Video Resource Guide.
Step 3:
Complete a Film Registration Form and Production Agreement
  • Complete the San Diego Film Commission Film Registration form and attach a shooting schedule and location list. Once your project has been approved you will be given a stamped “APPROVED” copy of your Film Registration which should be with you on the set at all times.  Sign and return the Production Agreement, which includes the re­quired indemnification, hold harmless, and agreement to include a credit to the San Diego Film Commission.
Step 4:
Roundtable Permit Meeting
  • Feature films and long-term San Diego-based television series must attend a meeting arranged by the Film Commission. The roundtable permit meeting will include production department heads and commu­nity agencies managing public safety and public impact concerns. Any project involving complex work or multiple days may require the same type of meeting at the Film Commission’s discretion. This meeting helps determine cost for any required city services. The Film Commission may require one meeting, a series of meetings, or, if appropriate, the formal meeting may be waived.
Step 5:
Neighborhood Letter
  • A notification letter must always be distributed in any residential or commercial neighborhood several days prior to the filming. The letter must be approved by the Film Commission in advance and should in­clude the Film Commission contact information. For details please refer to the Location Notification Letter Guidelines.
Step 6:
Production Survey
  • After your project wraps you will be asked to complete a Production Survey to help track the positive economic benefits of your business throughout the San Diego region. Your reporting helps insure the future cooperation of local government to keep the filming permit process simple, straightforward, and keep the Film Commission services and hands-on assistance available 7/24.
Step 7:
Everything else…
  • Special parking needs can be arranged with Police Film Liaison ap­proval. This requires 5 full business days advance notice.
  • Call sheets must be faxed to the Film Commission on a daily basis.
  • Code of Conduct must be distributed with call sheets.
  • The Film Commission is your contact for all other government agen­cies, i.e., state, federal, coastal, as well as, the border agencies of the Department of Homeland Security.
  • The Film Commission oversees all special effects, stunts, and pyro­technics.