Standard Disclaimer
FilmLA has gathered the location filming information in this article as a service to the entertainment industry. It is updated regularly, but also subject to change. FilmLA cannot and does not guarantee that the information contained here is at any time complete and without error. By using this site, you acknowledge these limitations and agree that neither FilmLA, nor its predecessors, successors, partners, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives shall be liable for any reason for damages of any nature (including special, incidental, compensatory, consequential or punitive) to any individual or entity who uses or relies on the information contained here for any purpose. Factual errors may be reported to FilmLA using the links provided at the bottom of the article.
Standard Requirements
Permit Requirement
In the City of Lancaster, a temporary use (filming) permit is required for all on-location filming on both public and private property. Exceptions are news crews, family videoing, and filming that takes place entirely on a certified sound stage.
Application Deadline
10 AM DEADLINE
Application / location submission is due in MyFilmLA by 10 a.m. Late applications are ineligible for processing.
Below are the minimum processing times for permit applications. Holidays may affect deadlines. Changes due to holidays will be posted on our website (www.filmla.com) and sent to registered subscribers via Production Alert, prior to the holiday.
- Processing for on-location filming requires three full business days prior to the first activity date (not including Fridays). This does not include the date of submission.
- All high impact or exceptional activity (example: stunts, special effects, gunfire, aerial activity, closures) will require additional lead time.
Standard Filming Hours
Standard filming hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. Any request for filming outside these hours may require a community filming survey, showing significant support of the requested activity from the affected residents.
Insurance Requirements
Filmmakers seeking permits to film on-location in the City of Lancaster must have insurance on file with FilmLA. If you do not have insurance on file, please provide us with mandatory insurance as per the insurance requirements below.
Insurance coverage limits may vary based on activity and location. We do not advise you to purchase insurance without first discussing your filming plans with a FilmLA insurance specialist.
Please forward all insurance requirements for this jurisdiction to your broker for processing.
Final permits will not be released until all insurance has been reviewed and approved by FilmLA, so please submit your insurance certificates as soon as possible.
Required Insurance Coverage
- Commercial General Liability
- Auto Liability
- Proof of Workers’ Compensation
Minimum Limits (per occurrence)
- $500,000 - Still Photography only
- $1,000,000 - Combined single limit liability on a per occurrence basis
- $2,000,000 - General Aggregate
- $5,000,000 - Aircraft use
Additional Insured
- The City of Lancaster added as additional insured; see link below for specific wording and sample.
- FilmLA must also be added as additional insured; see link below for specific wording and sample.
- Hold Harmless agreement for City of Lancaster must also be submitted to FilmLA.
Insurance Submission
You may submit insurance documentation via MyFilmLA using the file upload link. This upload link can be found in the request email sent to you from the Insurance Department.
If you have any questions about our requirements, please contact our office at 213.977.8600 and ask to speak with an insurance specialist.
Lancaster Hold Harmless Agreement Form
Lancaster Insurance Guidelines / Sample
Special Requirements
City Owned Facilities
All City of Lancaster-owned facilities require a mandatory tech scout at least three days prior to the start of prep/filming. This will affect the turnaround time needed to process your film permit application.
Gunfire / Firearms
Gunfire or the brandishing of firearms must be identified in the permit request. This activity requires a Sheriff be present to ensure safety and proper notification to appropriate law enforcement offices. Gunfire requires extensive notification beyond the standard 500′ to ensure all those potentially affected by filming are aware of the activity. If deemed necessary by the City of Lancaster, a Filming Survey may be required to ensure affected community members are well informed of the activity and any potential concerns are addressed.
Inspection
The production must allow inspection of the film site by City of Lancaster staff at any time. A copy of the approved permit must remain at the filming location.
Posting / Temporary "No Parking" Signs
Production companies are responsible for posting “no parking” signs 48 hours prior to the restriction being effective. If the signs are not up 48 hours prior, the signs are NOT enforceable. Signs may be picked up at the Lancaster Film Office. City staff will conduct inspections to ensure everything is posted properly.
Private Property
The production company is required to obtain the property owner’s permission, consent, and/or lease for use of property not owned or controlled by the City. A consent form is available for download here:
Lancaster Private Property Consent Form
Restoration
The permittee shall restore the site to the original condition upon completion of shooting unless otherwise approved by the property owner.
Sheriff's Department
Production companies are responsible for contacting and hiring Sheriff Deputies if required by their permit. All Sheriff Deputies have the authority to enforce all filming permits issued within the city limits of the City of Lancaster. They are authorized to enforce, modify or revoke a permit for safety reasons.
Signage
All signs erected for filming purposes shall be removed upon completion of filming activity as conditioned by the permit. If not removed within 48 hours, the City will remove them and may levy a fee against the production.
Special Effects
Any filming activity that requires the use of flammable materials, explosive devices or open flames is considered a special effect. FilmLA submits all permit requests directly to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Film Desk for approval of all special effects. Special effects may require extensive notification to residents and businesses beyond the standard 500′ to ensure that all those potentially affected by the activity are notified. If deemed necessary by the City of Lancaster, a Filming Survey may be required to ensure affected community members have been contacted and their concerns (if any) regarding the activity are addressed.
Traffic Control
A traffic control plan may be required if filming will necessitate intermittent traffic control (ITC) or any impact on the flow of traffic. ITC is allowed on most roadways but is limited to two (2) minutes at a time. Production companies are required to use Los Angeles County Sheriff(s) for any filming requiring ITC within the City of Lancaster. The California Highway Patrol may be used if locations are in both the City of Lancaster and unincorporated Los Angeles County. The production company is responsible for ordering and paying the required officer(s).
Fee Schedule
Common Fees, Lancaster
FilmLA Basic Fees List
Below are the most common fees assessed by this jurisdiction. Additional application, use, or personnel fees may apply based on location or scope of activity for this jurisdiction. Any fees not directly collected by FilmLA on behalf of the municipality through the film permit must be paid directly to the service provider. FilmLA makes every effort to publish the most up to date fees for these municipal service providers, however fees are subject to change at their discretion.
FilmLA Basic Fees List
| Fee Type | Rate | Per |
|---|---|---|
|
Permit Application Fee Up to 5 Locations, 7 Consecutive Days |
$931 | Permit |
|
Permit Rider Fee During Business Hours |
$148.75 | Rider |
|
Permit Rider Fee After Business Hours |
$208 | Rider |
|
Still Photo Application Fee* Cast/Crew of 16+ Requires Motion Rate |
$104 | Permit |
| Still Photo Rider Fee | $31 | Rider |
| Student Permit Fee (simple) | $52 | Permit |
| Student Permit Fee (complex) | $134 | Permit |
| Non-Profit (PSA) Permit App Fee | $73 | Permit |
| Non-Profit (PSA) Permit Rider Fee | $36 | Permit |
|
Notification Fee Base Radius |
$232 | Radius |
| Lane Closure Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
| Gunfire Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
| Special FX - Explosion & Smoke Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
| Drone Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
| Helicopter Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
|
FilmLA Monitor Fee** Minimum Applies. Subject to OT and DT. Standard Arrival: 1 Hour Prior to Permit Start Time. |
$44.50 | Hour |
* Still photo productions with a cast / crew size of 16 or more people will incur the Motion application fee. Any B-roll or motion filming in conjunction with a still photo shoot will also incur the Motion rate. Additionally, for crews of this size or larger, a LAFD Spot Check Surcharge will also be assessed.
** The FilmLA monitor service is charged in hourly increments based on time at location. For example, if monitor service is required from 6am-10pm, the breakdown of service hours would be 8 Regular hours, 4 overtime hours, and 4 double time hours to cover the service, whether completed by one or multiple monitors.
Common Fees, Lancaster
| Fee Type | Rate | Per |
|---|---|---|
| LA County Fire - Filming Review Fee | $343.30 | Permit |
|
LA County Fire - Still Photography Review Fee For Shoots Involving 16+ People |
$277 | Permit |
| LA County Fire - Special Effects Permit Fee | $350 | Involved Location |
|
LA County Fire Safety Advisor (FSA) Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$63.51 | Hour (4hr minimum, OT/DT Applies) |
|
LA County Fire Safety Officer (FSO) Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$201.82 | Hour (4hr minimum, Flat Rate: No OT/DT) |
|
LA County Sheriff Officer Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$95.11 | Hour (6hr min, Flat Rate, + Mileage @ $1.22 per mile) |
| Lancaster Application Fee | $350 | Permit |
| Lancaster Per Location Fee | $50 | Location |
| Lancaster Encroachment Permit Application Fee | $325 | Involved Location |
| Lancaster Traffic Plan Check Fee | $566 | Day |
| Lancaster Inspector Fee | $121 | Day |
Community Relations
Community Filming Surveys
The City of Lancaster may require a filming survey, designed to demonstrate that affected residents/businesses have been individually contacted and to solicit individual concerns (if any) regarding the requested activity. FilmLA will provide a survey form, guidelines, sample letter, and a sample map, but the production company is responsible for surveying affected residents and businesses.
Community Survey Guidelines and Forms
Neighborhood Notification
FilmLA's standard notification service satisfies all neighborhood notification requirements for this jurisdiction. Notification of residents and/or businesses within 500′ of the filming location and associated activity generally requires a minimum of two working days in advance of the first filming day. Complicated filming activities may require notification of additional areas to be determined by the City of Lancaster.
Special Monitors
When necessary, a FilmLA Monitor will be assigned to an individual production which includes filming that occurs on City-owned property, complicated filming activity and frequently filmed areas, etc. The cost of a Monitor will be billed to the production company.