City Guide Filming in Altadena, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: Included in the application fee but may vary depending on the scope/size of the project
- Film Permit Application Fee: $795 ($30 for students)
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability
- Drone liability
- Aircraft liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Altadena
The unincorporated community of Altadena, located north of Pasadena, in the Los Angeles County of California is surely one of those places that does not get enough credit for how much it has contributed to the success of the film industry. The remote community, sitting in a natural setting that features wilderness areas, hiking trails, and other landscapes, continues to offer producers that know its worth breathtaking backdrops and sites to shoot great movies, TV series, and commercials. What’s more, it is home to a wide range of residential buildings within communities that perfectly depict peaceful neighborhoods and home settings.
When you think about the fact that scenes from top-class movies and TV series like Criminal Minds, Interstellar, American Pie, Big Little Lies, Catch Me If You Can, Beverly Hills, Lady Bird, and No Strings Attached were shot in Altadena, you will get how much value this LA County community brings to the table. Find your own filming location in Altadena now with Giggster to take advantage of what the community offers!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Altadena?
According to the regulations of Los Angeles County, which also align with filming laws in Altadena, anyone who wishes to film on-location in Altadena, or any of the other unincorporated county areas of LA, requires a filming permit. This is regardless of whether the filming is set to take place on private or public property. The film permit is particularly intended for companies that are in the Altadena area for business or commercial on-location filming purposes.
If, on the other hand, you are filming for personal use without any commercial end – such as on your mobile phone while on vacation with friends and/or family– and your activity will not affect the surrounding community, you won’t need a film permit in Altadena. In essence, private filming, in general, doesn’t require a permit. However, just to be sure that you don’t violate any Altadena filming regulations, you can double-check with FilmLA.
Student filmmakers are also encouraged to carry out their filming projects - as part of their school work - in Altadena. For this, student permits are issued at reduced rates, depending on the complexity of the project, or the kind of permission that the student will require to completely carry out their filming exercise.
Moreover, where projects require the involvement of the County of LA Fire Department, the filmmaker will need to secure a fire permit accordingly and pay the required additional fees for services such as field inspection, location inspection, special effects, etc.
Permit Management in Altadena
FilmLA
The office that coordinates the film permitting process in Altadena is FilmLA. How FilmLA does this is by working with other agencies such as the Fire Department, law enforcement, and Department of Public Works before responding to the film production company’s request as to whether their film permit application is approved or declined. In addition, FilmLA sends out the notification to the neighborhood where the filming will take place, as this is part of the services they offer to filmmakers.
As for the agencies, the Fire Department determines what the fire requirement(s) of your project is/are and how you can comply with them, and if necessary, the restrictions to put in place. The law enforcement agency covers the area of traffic regulations and the general safety of the community members, while the Public Works unit oversees traffic safety. The final word comes from the Department of Public Works on whether your permit can be approved or not, and thereafter, FilmLA communicates the decision to you either by issuing your permit or not.
You are required to apply for the permit to film in Altadena at least three business days before the commencement of your project to allow enough time for your project to be properly reviewed and also give enough time for community notification. As a result, you may need to send in your application earlier. Typically, you will have to do the following to get your film permit:
Determine the location(s) in Altadena that you would like to film at;
Secure the required insurance;
Submit your application online using MyFilmLA and pay the stipulated fees;
Reach out to the community in addition to FilmLA’s community outreach.
What Insurance Do I Need in Altadena?
It is mandatory for all filmmakers who wish to do business in Altadena to meet the production insurance requirements stipulated for LA County communities and areas. Furthermore, these insurance minimums may vary depending on the nature of the project and the filming location, which makes it essential for film companies to reach out to FilmLA whenever in doubt.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Altadena?
Altadena sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and is almost completely surrounded by wilderness, except to the south where the city of Pasadena lies. What that therefore means is that the area offers fantastic nature backdrops for filmmakers. What better way to depict nature than use settings like trails, canyons, etc. where picturesque natural elements abound?
Another very popular place in Altadena that has featured in plenty of films and commercials over the years is the gas and service station on Lake Avenue – Ronnie’s Automotive Service. Lots of producers have used Ronnie’s as a gas station, car lot, and garage, to mention a few, as the location is so adaptable to various needs.
Altadena is also well-known for its residential areas and single-family homes. For instance, in the northeast corner of Altadena, Rubio Street features a host of single-family homes that are great on-location filming spaces. Moreover, the Chaney Trail in Altadena also leads to dozens of buildings on roads that equally serve as residential areas for use in film production. Another part of town that fits perfectly for use as a residential area is the block of homes on Homewood Drive. All these highlighted parts of Altadena have for years been top spots for on-location filming activities.
Special Requirements in Altadena
Altadena
There are certain areas within Altadena where film producers have to abide by special filming conditions. For each of these areas, the notification to the residents in the vicinity of the filming must arrive at least two days before the production team is scheduled to be on location or before filming is set to commence. These areas and the specific requirements are presented below:
1600 Block of Homewood Drive
Filming within the 1600 Block of Homewood Drive comes with special requirements that filmmakers have to abide by after securing their film permit from FilmLA. These revolve around parking. notification period, filming hours, and neighborhood disturbance:
Only one side of the street is open to filmmakers to park their equipment vehicles, and when these exceed eight, an officer must be available to facilitate movement and traffic;
Cast and crew vehicles are not to be parked on the street;
Filming crew are only allowed in the area from 7 am to 10 pm, except otherwise approved;
Filming is not allowed on weekends, and neither is it allowed from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day;
The street can only be closed to traffic for a maximum of two minutes, except otherwise approved.
Alzada Road and Chaney Trail
The conditions that filmmakers must abide by when filming on Alzada Road and Chaney Trail in Altadena are as follows:
In addition to the two-day prior notification, the film company must send an email notification to awessen@yahoo.com;
Cast and crew must arrive and leave the filming location by shuttle, parking their personal vehicles off-site;
Parking and posting are not allowed on the road/trail;
Production trucks can be parked in the LA County Flood Control Basin;
Generator use is allowed on location only when it has an appropriate noise shield;
Smoking is not allowed.
2150 Mendocino Lane
Even though there is ample room for cast and crew to park their vehicles within the 2150 Mendocino Lane area, only the designated areas must be used, because the streets are off-limits for parking. Moreover, all vehicles parked (cast, crew, and equipment) must be at a distance of at least 75 feet from the houses on the Midlothian Drive property line. Where trailers, honey wagons, or RVs have to be used, they must all be powered by a principal generator and not individual generators. The filming crew is also to arrive earliest by 7 am and depart latest by 10 pm, except otherwise approved.
2185 Layton Street & 2186 E. Crary Street
As production companies prepare to film here, these are the requirements to bear in mind:
The homeowner must give permission before the stairs/steps of trailers, trucks, or motorhomes can be put down on private property here;
Driveways cannot be blocked except if the homeowner approves;
Only three production trucks are allowed to park on East Crary Street; therefore, the company must set up their base camp outside the area if they have more equipment;
Parking of equipment vehicles is not allowed on Layton Street;
Film companies can place their generators only on private property;
Filming hours are from 7 am to 10 pm and cast/crew are not allowed within the premises outside
Rubio Street
Filming on Rubio Street in Altadena comes with the following additional requirements:
Cast/crew cannot park their vehicles on the streets, and so must arrive and leave the film location via shuttle buses, which must be driven within local speed limits;
Normal filming hours are from 7 am to 10 pm, outside which no member of the production team should be on location;
Filming on holidays or weekends is prohibited;
Production equipment can only be parked on one side of the street, and shall not interfere with traffic;
At least one (1) California Highway Patrol officer or Los Angeles County Sheriff must be on hand to ensure safe traffic flow within the area;
Generators are to be put far away from residential buildings.
The Meadows Area
To film in the Meadows Area of Altadena, the residents on the following streets must be notified as well: Aralia Road, Canyon Dell Drive, Canyon Crest Road, Rising Hill Road, El Prieto Road, Cloverhill Road, Hollygrove Lane, and Gravelia Street. The area between Lincoln Avenue and Aralia Road on Canyon Crest Road is not open to the parking of production vehicles, so film companies must park outside this designated area. Cast and crew movement into and out of Meadows Area too must be by shuttle alone. Moreover, smoking is not allowed.
What Does it Cost to Film in Altadena?
There are fees associated with film requests made by production companies that wish to film in Altadena. The basic fees are permit application, permit rider, notification, and monitoring. There are some other fees that you may need to pay depending on the nature of your project, what services you need, as well as where your filming will be done. For instance, if you will need the service(s) of County personnel like Fire Department staff, this will create more charges to you. Filmmakers can make payments to FilmLA via credit or debit cards. Moreover, business account owners with FilmLA can also make direct payments from their account(s).
Additional Fees
It's important to note that these fees and requirements can change over time, and the best way to get accurate and up-to-date information is by directly contacting the relevant authorities. If you're filming on public property or in a public space, location-specific fees may be charged by the property owner or the local authority. For example, filming in parks or other public areas might involve additional fees.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Altadena?
Altadena lies at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, just to the north of the city of Pasadena. The Woodbury Road bounds the community to the south in some parts while East Washington Boulevard does the same in some other parts. Besides Pasadena, other nearby cities include Arcadia, South Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, and Glendale.
Pasadena
Commercial filming in Pasadena, whether it’s on private property or public property, cannot take place if the filmmaker does not first obtain a permit from the Pasadena Film Office. For this, the permittee must apply to the film office, submit the supporting documentation, and pay all required fees. The insurance minimums for obtaining a film permit in Pasadena include General Liability of $1,000,000, Auto Liability of $1,000,000, and statutory workers’ compensation. Moreover, the film company must notify the residents/businesses that will be directly affected by the filming and get their signatures before filming can take place. The Pasadena Film Office provides a template of the neighborhood letter as a guide for filmmakers.
Here are some of the fees associated with filming in Pasadena:
Permit to film on private property - $809.58 per day;
Permit to film on city property - $1,031.18 per day;
Neighborhood coordination fee - $214 per day;
Public works processing fee - $54.93 per permit;
Public works inspection fee - $81.16 per location;
Police Officer - $95 per hour;
Fire Officer - $226 per hour.
Arcadia
The Business License Office in the Development Services Department manages the film permitting process in Arcadia. Here, filmmakers require a permit if their project is a commercial, motion picture, or TV show. For students and non-profits, permits are also required. Some of the guidelines for obtaining a film permit in Arcadia are as follows:
Basic permit fee - $306.30 for the first day and $87.70 for each subsequent day;
A certificate of insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 with the city listed as an additional insured;
Statutory workers’ compensation is according to state and federal requirements;
Students and charitable organizations are not required to pay permit fees, and may be exempted from the insurance requirements;
Basic applications require at least five business days for processing, while those that include additional services take at least seven business days;
Filming hours are from 7 am to 10 pm from Monday to Saturday;
Filming in commercial areas on Sunday is allowed between 9 am and 7 pm;
The film company must notify the residents and businesses within 250 feet of the filming location, and 75% of them must append their signature to the notification form for the permit to be granted.
South Pasadena
The South Pasadena Film Office manages the film permit process in South Pasadena, and in addition, acts as the liaison between the filmmaker and the community and city agencies. Every filmmaker (including students) must secure a permit for filming from the film office before going about their business. This process involves:
Notifying the neighborhood where the filming will take place;
Paying the fees;
Providing insurance documents with a General Liability of $1,000,000 and property damage insurance of $250,000.
Where the project will require the use of drones, gunfire, blank fire, sirens, horns, or public address systems, the City Police Chief must provide approval in writing. Normal filming hours are from 7 am to 7 pm, but filmmakers may, with the necessary approvals, film outside this period.
Glendale
The City of Glendale Film and Special Event Office is in charge of permit management in Glendale. The office handles TV, commercials, motion pictures, as well as student films in the city, be it on private property or public property. Film producers must submit their applications at least four business days (excluding Friday) before the date of filming and meet the following requirements to be considered:
Submit a plot plan for the filming location;
Provide Certificate of Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 General Aggregate;
Name the city of Glendale as additional insured;
Keep to the published noise ordinance when filming between 10 pm and 7 am;
Pay the application fees.
The film permit costs $601 (inclusive of an application fee of $367). Students get a discount and pay an application fee of $170. Additional fees are charged for using City Property for film shoots.
La Canada Flintridge
Film permit applications in La Canada Flintridge cost $200 (non-refundable), while the permit itself is $100. Additional charges include a $1 fee for each notification sent out to properties within a 300-ft radius of the filming location, as well as a $1,500 fee per day for public facilities or right-of-way. Where applicable, the permittee will also pay a $175 Traffic Engineer fee.
As long as your project is a feature film, TV production, or commercial ad, you will have to pay the fees and present proof of insurance that names the city of La Canada Flintridge as additional insured with $1,000,000 for property damage and $2,000,000 combined general aggregate. Aircraft insurance is a minimum of $2,000,000. Filming is not permitted on City holidays, Sundays, and between 12 am and 5.59 am.
Outreach in Altadena
FilmLA takes up the task of reaching out to the residents and businesses in the area where the filming will take place in Altadena. This is because this notification service is paid for by production companies who wish to shoot films in the community. Ideally, FilmLA strives to get the neighborhood informed two days before the filming will commence either by email or in person.
Another aspect of outreach in Altadena, which the filmmaker must handle by themselves, is carrying out a film survey when it is required. According to Altadena filming guidelines, a film survey will be needed if the company wants to shoot outside normal filming hours or make use of potentially disruptive items like firearms or helicopters. The result of the survey is what will determine what the filmmaker will need to do to address the concerns raised by the residents before the permit is issued.
Community Management in Altadena
Even though it is the responsibility of FilmLA to reach out to the occupants of the area where production companies are set to film, it’s often recommended that the filmmakers themselves touch base with the residents and introduce themselves, either via face-to-face meetings or through letters. This helps to create a good working relationship with the hosts and opens up a channel of communication and engagement that will be beneficial for the entire period of the filming activity.
Conclusion
Under the filming jurisdiction of FilmLA, Altadena is one of those places where filmmakers can secure permits to express themselves and bring their scripts to life, while at the same time, enjoying the tranquility that comes with working in a remote and natural setting. By following the simple steps of identifying the locations of choice, securing the required insurance, and paying the necessary fees, film companies can hit the ground running with their production in Altadena after getting the nod from FilmLA.
Shooting a scene in some of the locations used by legends like Clint Eastwood is definitely one of the things that film producers that bring their business to Altadena can brag about, and Altadena has several of those. It may be a small unincorporated community, but there’s absolutely nothing small about its value in the filmmaking space.