Yes. Filming is generally permitted between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, though exceptions can be made for special circumstances with proper notice and community approval. Night filming may require additional steps to mitigate impact.
Yes, but these iconic locations require additional review and coordination due to their popularity and public use. Be prepared to provide detailed plans and obtain approvals from additional city departments. Advance notice is critical.
Drone use is permitted on a case-by-case basis and must comply with FAA regulations and city safety requirements. Additional insurance and pilot certifications will be required.
Yes. Productions are required to provide a certificate of insurance naming the City of Santa Monica as an additional insured. Minimum coverage requirements are listed in the permit application guidelines.
If your production involves traffic interruptions, street closures, or public safety considerations, you will need to coordinate with the Santa Monica Police Department for officers or traffic control support. These services incur additional fees.
You can apply for a film permit through Film Santa Monica’s online permitting portal. We recommend submitting your application at least 5 business days before your intended shoot date. Complex shoots may require more lead time.
Production companies are responsible for advance notification to affected neighbors and businesses. Film Santa Monica will provide guidelines and a notification area map to ensure community awareness and cooperation. If you'd prefer Film Santa Monica to handle notifications on your behalf, we’re happy to do so for an additional fee.
Fees vary based on the size and scope of your production. Standard application and processing fees apply, and additional charges may be incurred for street closures, police support, or city personnel. A full fee schedule is available on our website.
Any commercial filming, photography, or media production taking place on public property, including streets, sidewalks, parks, and the beach requires a permit. Permits may also be required for productions on private property that involve large equipment, generators, street closures, or impact public spaces.
You can reach Film Santa Monica’s permitting team by visiting the Contact Us section of this site, emailing info@filmsantamonica.com, calling 1-855-FILMSAMO (1-855-345-6726) during business hours or texting our text-on-demand number at (424) 443-7444.
| Film Santa Monica Fee Structure | |
|---|---|
| Permit Application Fee (for 7 days) | $995.00 |
| Drone Administration Fee | $99.00 |
| Helicopter Administration Fee | $99.00 |
| Gunfire Administration Fee | $99.00 |
| Special FX - Explosion & Smoke Administration Fee | $99.00 |
| Lane Closure Administration Fee | $99.00 |
| Permit Rider Fee (during business hours) - per rider | $150.00 |
| Permit Rider Fee (after business hours) - per rider | $225.00 |
| Non-Profit Permit App Fee | $75.00 |
| Non-Profit Permit Rider Fee - per rider | $35.00 |
| Still Photo Application Fee (cast/crew of 16+ requires motion rate) | $110.00 |
| Still Photo Rider Fee - per rider | $30.00 |
| Student Permit Fee (simple) | $50.00 |
| Student Permit Fee (complex) | $125.00 |
| Notification Fee (base radius) | $250.00 |
| Film Santa Monica Monitor Fee (minimum applies) - per hour | $75.00 |
| Street/Sidewalk Use Fee (per permit) | $250.00 |
| CA DOT Monitor Fee (per hour) | $173.00 (2 hour min) |
| CA State Parks Review (simple) | $100.00 per day |
| CA State Parks Review (complex) | $250.00 per day |
For the City of Santa Monica lot reservations, please fill out a permit application through our permit portal and provide all the necessary details. A permit coordinator will reach out with the City of Santa Monica parking reservation application. Once you have a definite date and number of spaces needed, please fill out the City of Santa Monica parking application provided by your permit coordinator and return it them by a minimum of 10 business days prior to your activation date. The City of Santa Monica will then generate an invoice and map for your permit coordinator to then review. Please be aware, once the invoice has been generated, you will not be able to request any changes regarding space counts, lot chosen or event date change. Please note that the City of Santa Monica only generates one invoice per reservation. If you require additional details or need a breakdown of charges, please contact the Film Santa Monica team at info@filmsantamonica.com.
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