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 San Fernando, a temporary use (filming) permit is required for all on-location filming on both public and private property.
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 a minimum five full business days prior to first activity date. 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 (4 -7 days before the first activity date which includes the prep date).
- San Fernando is closed every other Friday. The application submission deadline does not include Fridays when the City is closed.
For clarification on deadlines please contract FilmLA's Solution Services department at (213) 977-8600 or info@filmla.com.
Standard Filming Hours
Standard filming hours in residential areas are 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day of the week. Hours for commercial areas are from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Surveys can be conducted to request activity after standard filming hours.
Insurance Requirements
Filmmakers seeking permits to film on-location in the City of San Fernando 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)
- $1,000,000 - Still Photography / Filming
- $5,000,000 - Aircraft Use
Additional Insured
- The City of San Fernando 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.
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.
City of San Fernando Insurance Guidelines
Special Requirements
Police Officer Assignments
Some filming activities require the assignment of officers for direct site supervision. This list of activities includes:
- Intermittent traffic control or any traffic diversion
- Special effects activity, including gunfire
- Stunts that involve the public right away (sidewalks, curbs, and streets)
- Full closures of streets
- Any filming on City property
- Driving grids
- Walking grids (if impacts public right of way)
- Any other instance that SFPD deems appropriate
Posting / Temporary "No Parking" Signs
Temporary “No Parking” signs may be posted by the Production Company or by a qualified outside traffic control company or barricade company. Signs must be installed 24 hours prior to the start of the “no parking” period.
Fee Schedule
Common Fees, San Fernando
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, San Fernando
| Fee Type | Rate | Per |
|---|---|---|
| LA City Fire Department Spot Check Surcharge | $287 | Permit |
|
LA City Fire Safety Officer (FSO) Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$127 | Hour (4hr Minimum, 1 Hour Travel Time) |
| San Fernando Film Application Fee - Day 1 | $450 | Permit, First Day |
| San Fernando Film Application Fee - Additional Day | $150 | Day |
| San Fernando Still Photo Application | $235 | Permit |
|
San Fernando Cancellation Fee Less Than 24 Hours' Notice |
$225 | First Day of Filming |
|
San Fernando Cancellation Fee Less Than 24 Hours' Notice |
$75 | Additional Day of Filming |
| San Fernando Public Works - Sidewalk Encroachment | $198 | Per Side, Per Block |
|
San Fernando Police Officer Fees paid directly to provider. Not collected by FilmLA. |
$180.38-$327.34 | Hour (3hr Minimum) |
Community Relations
Community Filming Surveys
The City of San Fernando may require Community 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.
Surveys are required for:
- Filming outside of standard filming hours
- Frequency of filming
- Filming that exceeds 5 days in a row in a residential area
- Excessive posting requests
- Full street closure requests
- Large film shoots in the San Fernando Outdoor Mall area that request excessive posting and/or lane or street closures
Community Survey Guidelines and Forms
Neighborhood Notification
FilmLA's standard notification service satisfies all neighborhood notification requirements for this jurisdiction. Processing notification for on-location filming requires a three day lead time before the first activity. This does not include the date of submission. Please be advised exceptional activity may require more advanced notice. [this is the standard copy. see below for the custom copy for this jurisdiction. Do they need to differ?]
Notification is required for all permits. There is a 500 ft. radius minimum for shoots. A larger radius will be determined by the FilmLA coordinator based on proposed activity and requested parking, including lane or full closures of streets. A 200 ft. radius may be allowed for smaller shoots.
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.