- PERMITS & RESERVATIONS
- Film, Video and Photo
Film, Video and Photo Permits
Please allow a minimum of five (5) business days for review and processing of film and photo permit applications.
Many popular films have been shot in San Francisco park locations. Some of the most popular include: Bicentennial Man, Dirty Harry, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Princess Diaries, The Rock, The Wedding Planner, What's Up Doc?, and many others. Television shows, advertisements and other photo shoots also choose our parks. We are dedicated to helping to make it happen. All film, video or photo production on Recreation and Park Department property requires a Film Permit if the production could be sold or if the photographer, crew, or cast are paid. This includes non-profit productions.
All commercial film, video or photography (Film) production on Recreation and Park Department property requires a Film Permit. Commercial film production is defined as any activity that results in a film, video or photograph being sold or used for commercial purposes, or any activity involving filming or photography for which crew and/or talent is paid. This includes not-for-profit productions. This also includes wedding pictures if the photographer is paid. It does not include photography or video for personal use, however tripods even for personal use are restricted in certain areas. The Recreation and Park Department also issues permits for interior work at our Recreation Centers and other facilities, such as Kezar Pavilion and Coit Tower.
All Film Permits require the coordination of our Film Permit Office, with a minimum of five business days notice prior to date of the shoot. To apply, please complete our Film and Photo Permit Application, there is no application fee.
Filming is not encouraged on weekends, as this is the busiest time for parks, and staff supervision is limited. Filming is generally prohibited in Golden Gate Park and other densely populated parks on weekends. Additionally, filming is generally prohibited at Golden Gate Park on the first Tuesday of each month, as this is Free Day at museums and tends to be very busy.
See the Rules and Fees tabs above for more information. Contact RPDReservations@sfgov.org or (415) 831-5500 (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, M-F) for additional information.
Film, video and photo production companies must adhere to the following rules and regulations when working on Recreation and Park Department property. Any exception must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the location production by calling the Film Permit Office at (415) 831-5500 x 4.
ALTERATIONS TO PARK PROPERTY. No tree, shrub or other plant material may be trimmed, pruned, altered or removed without express permission.
EXCLUSIVE USE OF PARK AREAS. Permittee must acknowledge that the primary purpose of a park is to serve the public. If permission is granted to temporarily exclude the public from certain areas for production purposes, the Permittee must use the utmost courtesy in doing so. A notice including the company's phone number, along with the time and duration of the closure, must be posted at the site at least 48 hours in advance.
DRONES (Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Permits are required for any UAS flight that is on, from, within or over a San Francisco Recreation and Park property. All UAS permits require a licensed pilot as well as a $2M Aircraft and Commercial General Aviation Liability Insurance policy naming our Department as additional insured. UAS operators must adhere to all FAA regulations regarding UAS flights. UAS cannot operate over active roadways or people not directly associated with the UAS operation. For many of our properties we only allow a straight up-and-down flight pattern unless the operation meets FAA regulations for flight over people. A secure perimeter must be established for usage. UAS flight is not allowed above 400 feet. Use of drones require the staffing of a park ranger to monitor the operation; there is a three-hour minimum to staff a ranger.
FOGGING EQUIPMENT. Generation of mineral oil based smoke, mist or fog is not allowed. Permission to use water based fogging equipment will be considered upon request.
PARK STAFF. Permittees must follow the direction of the Department Employees, Gardeners, and Recreation Directors at all times. If a dispute arises, you should contact the Permits Office.
SECURITY. The use of private security guards requires prior approval from the SFRPD Permits Office. Any private security vendor must be licensed, bonded, and unarmed. San Francisco Park Code 4.01(b) prohibits firearms on Park properties, except for Police and Park Rangers.
STAKING, DRILLING. Because of irrigation lines, staking is not permitted. If permission is granted to install tents, equipment, sets, props (etc.) they must be secured by sand bags, water barrels or some other approved manner. Nothing may be attached or tied down to any structure, park bench, tree etc. without express permission.
STRUCTURES, SETS. Structures, sets or other props (other than hand held) are not allowed without express permission.
VEHICLES. Production vehicles must be parked on the street. The Permittee may not prohibit or obstruct vehicular or public access to park streets and roads without express permission.Permission may be granted to use a paved pedestrian path only for the purpose of loading and unloading equipment. If permission is granted to traverse a paved pathway, special care must be taken to keep tires on the pavement, particularly at corners. Failure to do so results in permanent soil compaction. If it is not possible to traverse the entire pathway in this manner, planks, plywood or other approved protection must be used.
WASTE MANAGEMENT. The capacity of existing trash barrels and dumpsters is based on the normal public usage of the facility. Because of this, the Permittee is not allowed to use existing dumpsters and barrels, and must remove from the site any and all garbage or refuse generated by their production and/or food catering.
STILL PHOTOGRAPHY
$369 - Simple non-intrusive exterior still photography (per day, per site).
$925 - Large exterior still photography shoot including, but not limited to, one or more of the following: crew/cast size greater than 20 persons, major set dressing, automobiles, intermittent vehicular or pedestrian control, pools and/or other interiors, or requiring on-the-job* staff presence or preparation (per day, per site).
FILM & VIDEO
$369 - Documentary (per day, per site).
$925 - Simple, low impact film & video shoots with cast/crews of 35 or less (per day, per site).
$1,851 - Large commercial, television and feature film projects including, but not limited to, one or more of the following: exclusive use of park areas, crowd control and/or major props or set dressing, or requiring on-the-job* staff presence or preparation (per day, per site). $500/day for set up or breakdown per day, per site.
$9,255 - minimum Facility or property usage, per day per site, (to be negotiated by the General Manager) - Major productions having major and unforeseeable impact on the Department.
*On-the-job staffing means that on-duty RPD staff is able to provide minimal assistance without significant interference with their normal work activities. Examples include opening a gate, unlocking a chain, or providing materials such as a water hose. Any major production requiring a full time staff presence (gardener, security or trade) shall pay for this staff time at a rate of one and one-half times the staff’s normal hourly rate. The Department shall also be reimbursed for any lost revenues or other costs that may be incurred because of the permitted activity.
STUDENT PROJECTS
To qualify for a student discount the film/photo project must be for a class assignment or credit. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their current student ID, as well as a letter of confirmation, on school letterhead, from the instructor of the enrolled class regarding the nature of the class requirement. All permit fees are per day, per site.
$50 - Student Film/Photo Simple Permit Fee. Low impact film/photo shoots that do not impact other park users, have a total cast and crew of no more than 15 persons, and have minimal equipment and/or set dressing.
A student film/photo permit request with any of the following: more than a 15-person cast and crew, significant equipment/set dressing, that impacts other park users, or that requires the staffing of park personnel, will be subject to standard film permit fees less a 50% student discount.
All staffing fees are billed at full cost recovery.