Filming Guidelines

In this section you will find:

• Filming Hours
• Neighborhood Notifications
• Reserve Equipment Vehicle Parking
• Street/Lane Closures
• Directional Sign Posting
  
  
  
  

Shooting in SF Links:

• Filming Guidelines
• Working in Neighborhoods
• Permit Application
• Insurance
• Fees
• Student Filming Procedures

Filming Hours

Filming activities in residential areas is prohibited between the hours of 10pm and 7am. On a case by case basis the Film Office may allow production companies to complete a signature survey in an attempt to get approval from a neighborhood for night filming.

Upon Film Office approval to begin a signature survey, the production company must canvas the neighborhood and collect a majority of signatures from the residents approving the late night or early morning filming. Signatures must be submitted to the Film Office no fewer than 4 business days prior to the filming date along with a results report clearly indicating:

• The response of each resident on a map
• The percentage of Yes, No and No Responses received
• Notes on each No Response as to when attempts were made to secure approval

The hours of filming apply to the arrival and departure of cast, crew and equipment.

Filming in business districts may be restricted during business hours. Filming in the Financial District is restricted during business hours.

Not familiar with a signature survey?

Here is a signature survey template (pdf) and a sample of a filled out signature survey (pdf)

Here is a sample results report (pdf) - Please note you are not required to complete your report on a computer but your report must be clear and legible.

Neighborhood Notifications

As a condition of your permit we may require your production to leaflet the neighborhood in order to notify them of your planned filming.

Letters need to be distributed to each resident and merchant in advance of your shoot — it helps to ensure that your shoot runs as smoothly as possible!

Each notification must be on our notification template and include the following information:

Here is a Neighborhood Notification Template (pdf) and a Sample of a Neighborhood Notification(pdf).  Don't like pdf's?  Here's a Neighborohood Notification Template in Word.

Reserve Equipment Vehicle Parking

Your permit provides parking privileges on city streets for vehicles essential to your shoot including equipment trucks, lifts, cranes, motorhomes and honeywagons. There is no additional fee for parking.

1. To secure parking a Use Agreement (permit application) and posting diagram (map) must be received by the Film Office a minimum of four business days before posting is to go into effect.
2. Crew or personal vehicles are not allowed in posted parking under any circumstances and will be ticketed and possibly towed.
3. All production vehicles must have placards with the production name on their dashboards in order to avoid confusion and possible ticketing.
4. Motorhomes with pop-outs cannot be used on city streets.

Posting Diagrams must include the following:

1. The number of spaces to be posted.
2. Meter numbers or addresses adjacent to posted spots.
3. All bus stops, painted curbs and tow away zones should be noted on the map.
4. A directional indicator.
5. The Production Company name, Dates and Times of the posting, and Contact Phone Number.

Sample Posting Diagram (pdf)

It is not required that you create your posting diagram on a computer, as long as all diagrams are clear and all required information is included.  Once your posting has been approved by the Film Office and SFPD please follow these posting instructions.

For more detailed regulations regarding the posting of NO STOPPING signs please click here.

Street/Lane Closures

All Street and Lane closures are permitted by the Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT). Coordination with the Film Office and SFPD Film Liaison is required before closure applications will be approved by DPT.

All applications for closures must be submitted to DPT no less than 5 business days in advanced.

To download a closure application from DPT's website please click here.

Street Closure Application Fees:

• Fewer than 7 days: $750
• Fewer than 30 days: $650
• Fewer than 60 days: $550
• At least 60 days in advance of the event: $450

Directional Sign Posting

Many productions find it useful to post signs throughout the City to help guide crew to their locations. Please note that signs up to 8 ½” x 11” may be posted without permits as long as they are promptly removed after filming has wrapped. Please review the Department of Public Works’ Guidelines for Posting Directional Signs (pdf) for a complete explanation of the rules surrounding sign posting in San Francisco.