City Guide Filming in Encinitas, CA
Production Permit Fees
- CFC Permit: Free
- State-owned property site rental: Free
- Permit Application Review (For State Parks): $65-$200 per day
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1,000,000
- Worker’s Compensation: As per California’s labor code
- Automobile Liability: $1,000,000 for “owned,” “non-owned,” or “hired” vehicles
- Aviation Insurance Coverage: $5,000,000
- UAS/Drone Insurance: $2,000,000
Additional Permits
- Police & Firefighter Monitoring: Organized by the California Film Commission
- Incentives offered by the California Film Commission:
- Film California First – refunds for certain expenses and site rentals
- Star Program – free of cost site rental for state-owned properties
Discounts
About Encinitas
As a moderately populated beach city in the San Diego County North County area, Encinitas, Spanish for Small Oaks, is elegant for filmmakers and tourists. Admiring the coast, the lavish cityscape, and the various points of interest in the city are some of the many things people look forward to when visiting this California gem. There is plenty to see and do since it is less than half an hour north of San Diego.
As a beach city, Encinitas possesses a mild and tolerable Mediterranean-like climate, accentuating the general sense of adventure and allure that the city delivers to all without fail. It first entered the pages of history in 1881, when Jabez Pitcher founded it. Over a century later, in 1986, the city was officially incorporated. This did not change the community distinctions in the area: the people from Leucadia, New Encinitas, Olivenhain, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea continue to exhibit their unique tastes and identities.
This exquisite mix of communities and flavors has also been featured numerous times in cinematic works, such as All This Mayhem, Dead Girls Don't Tango, X14, The Trouble with Money, Eternity: The Movie, Stressed, Cutback, Carving A Life, World of Waves, and Fallout. Large and small productions have operated in the city successfully owing to the pro-filming laws, cooperative community, and rich film-friendly environment. Are you planning to be a part of the next big thing associated with Encinitas? Well, best of luck, and review the filming guidelines in Encinitas first so you know what to expect.
Also, you need not worry about finding the best filming destinations in Encinitas — Giggster is here for you!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Encinitas?
All filming activities in Encinitas that take place in public or involve any public department officials for assistance will require a general filming permit. However, getting a film permit in the city is not much trouble, and the other filming guidelines in Encinitas are straightforward. A general filming permit will only cover basic filming activities; if you want to go beyond that, you’ll have to acquire special permits, such as:
Pyrotechnics Permits –
for any fire-based special effects, such as gunfire, fireworks, and explosions, that you want to use in the film production. These effects will be operated by licensed professionals from the local fire safety department.
Animal Control Permits –
for any animals to be incorporated into the film production efforts, such as horses, donkeys, dogs, and cattle.
Aircraft Usage Permits –
for any helicopters or aircraft to be part of the film. You’ll also need to provide additional insurance coverage ($5 million in aviation liability) and may also have to conduct a local survey if you plan to have the aircraft fly over a residential area.
Drone Filming Permits –
for using a camera drone to film parts of your project or all of it, additional insurance coverage must be provided ($2 million), and you’ll also be required to respect people’s privacy as well as to follow all the FAA regulations.
Permit Management in Encinitas
California Film Commission
The California Film Commission does much more than issue filming permits in Encinitas and other areas under its jurisdiction. CFC is more of an umbrella organization for film offices throughout the region. Working with film productions and local and state-level departments to help film crews get the best out of their endeavors in California.
The California Film Commission provides filming permits for all areas under its jurisdiction, helping film productions liaise with local and state-level departments, such as police, highway patrol, and fire safety departments.
You don’t have to visit their office to file a permit application. Instead, you can use the CFC online portal to fill in all the relevant details and file your application. The portal will walk you through the whole process step-by-step. Be sure to share accurate information and arrange for insurance coverage as required by the California Film Commission as per the specifics of your filming request.
Even after you get your permit, CFC will continue to provide support wherever needed. This includes helping with production efforts, ensuring on-set safety, and help with picking the ideal public filming spots. You can also benefit from their incentive programs, which offer tax rebates for filming expenses and waivers for venue rentals for any state-owned property you use for filming.
What Insurance Do I Need in Encinitas?
The only hard requirement for filmmakers is purchasing production insurance. The premise of insurance for filmmakers is simple: even if your script does not involve daring stunt sequences, car chases, or low-flying aircraft maneuvering dangerously, there is still a risk, no matter how small, of things going wrong. It can be anything from a minimal slip-and-fall accident to an automobile accident. In such cases, the film production is required to compensate the victim, whether a production crew member or someone else (even a passerby).
If the accident resulted due to the activities of the production crew, they’ll have to pay for it. This hopefully won’t happen to you, but cities require film productions to be prepared anyway. Remember that production insurance requirements in Encinitas are variable and can change on a case-by-case basis. Here are the minimum estimates for your reference:
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 Encinitas?
Let’s pause our discussion about the filming laws in Encinitas and look at some of the most iconic and premium filming venues available for you to rent for your project. The choices are virtually endless — to start, you have the Hot Yoga Studio in Leucadia, which has a perfectly lit and serene interior. The Club Room is another premium option with vibrant colors and a lively atmosphere. But for something that gives a gentler feel and a lighter color scheme, you can try the Modern Ballet and Dance Studio. Another perfectly premium option is the Light Bright Modern California Coastal Craftsman filming venue, which, as the name implies, also gives a breathtaking view of the coastline.
But maybe renting a small filming venue or a studio is not what suits your project the best. Instead, you may want a more natural, homey environment for your film setup. If that is the case, you can’t hope for something better than the Sprawling Country Estate, which not only comes with an impressive interior and premium architecture but also delivers eye-catching views of the natural surroundings. Another similar choice is the Upgraded 1960s Suburban Home in Coastal Surf Town, which boasts a decades-old sense of style and is, in every other way, an ideal filming venue with ample lighting, colors, and contrast. You can also try the Naturally Elegant Space with Outdoor Patio, which combines indoor and outdoor elements and delivers that same cozy feeling as the options mentioned earlier. For more seclusion, you can try the Charming Beach Town of Encinitas with complete privacy.
The Brand-New open-concept, Scandinavian-style, Minimalist & Modern California Home is also a worthy contender for your attention — it is not loaded with artwork or other elements. Its simplicity is its major strength. Other residential spaces for film production include the Eclectic Beach Bungalow Steps from Beach, Sustainable Minimalist Designer Encinitas Home, Modern Beachy Home, and the Luxury Coastal Home with Backyard Escape. All of these filming venues are one of a kind, and it would be unfair to categorize them under one heading. They all have unique features that deserve to be seen on their own.
And we’ve only begun to scratch the surface here. You have plenty of options for filming venues in Encinitas, but you don’t have to leave your comfort zone to explore them individually. You can browse through our listings at Giggster, see all the details and media attachments you need, and then make informed decisions while enjoying complete payment protection.
Special Requirements in Encinitas
Filming In Encinitas Union School District
To get approval to film at the local Encinitas Union School District, you’ll have to:
Reach out to the school district board with your proposal.
Discuss the schedule for your filming activities with them.
Arrange the insurance coverage required by the school board, like $1 million in general liability and worker’s compensation insurance coverage.
After approval from the school board, you can start filming as per the agreed-upon schedule.
Filming In Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood parks such as the Encinitas Community Park, Wiro Park, Orpheus Park, and Hawk View Park are also available for filming. You don’t need to undertake any special efforts to film here but do reach out to the local parks and department for coordination.
Filming On State Beaches
As with state parks, highways, and state-owned buildings, beaches owned by the state, such as Moonlight State Beach, San Elijo State Beach, and South Cardiff State Beach, can be filmed on without having to pay anything as a site rental. Also, if you’re filming with water vessels, you’ll have to arrange for $1 million in watercraft liability insurance coverage. Plus, you’ll also have to liaise with the local coastguard division for production monitoring.
Filming In San Diego Botanic Garden
You can film at the San Diego Botanic Garden after approval from the garden's management. Do keep in mind that the plants displayed here are the primary concern of the management – you won't be allowed to harm them. Plus, $1 million in general liability insurance coverage is also needed.
Filming With Camera Drones
To film with camera drones, you’ll have to provide $2 million in liability coverage, comply with all FAA regulations, and ensure privacy protection for the residents.
What Does it Cost to Film in Encinitas?
Apart from site rentals, filming expenses, and hiring professionals as part of your filming crew, you will also have to contend with fees associated with filming in the city, nearby areas, and any state-owned properties in the vicinity. Many fees are waived for filmmakers, courtesy of the California Film Commission, but others are enforced in full as per the filming regulations in Encinitas, such as:
Additional Fees
You might also have to pay an additional 15% of what you paid earlier as an administrative fee if any city officials are needed at the filming set. While the costs may seem a bit excessive, coming on top of all the expenses you have to deal with, you can always benefit from the tax credit rebates offered by the California Film Commission.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Encinitas?
The filming laws in Encinitas that we’ve been discussing this whole time only apply to the geographical jurisdiction of the city, so it’s pertinent to understand the city limits. As a coastal city, Encinitas hugs the Pacific coastline to the west; the city is situated on a rugged coastal area in San Diego County’s North County, and to the north, there are numerous elevated coastal bluffs. Batiquitos Lagoon demarks the northern boundary of the city, whereas, to the south, the city’s boundary is marked by the San Elijo Lagoon. The nearest prominent feature to the east is the Elfin Forest.
Outreach in Encinitas
As per the Encinitas filming laws, you are required to notify any affected residents about your upcoming filming activities. This is if you’re filming in a residential area or somewhere nearby, such as in a park or a public space. The affected residents reside closest to the said area but ask the California Film Commission for exact instructions.
Generally, you must notify the residents at least two full days in advance, but a week’s prior notice is needed for complex productions. Your notification letter should list the filming schedule, filming venues, information about street closure, your contact information, and the contact information of concerned local departments regarding traffic updates, complaints, and other concerns.
Community Management in Encinitas
You’ve seen just how relaxed and easy to follow the filming regulations in Encinitas are, but that’s not the end of it — the city is listed as one of the best places to live in California. The community in Encinitas has a suburban feeling, and most people are friendly, welcoming, cooperative, and courteous. They’ve also seen numerous big-time productions do their magic here, so they are somewhat acquainted with the process and know what to expect. Keep the decibel levels low, and you won’t have much to worry about.
Conclusion
The beach, the climate, the cityscape, the variety of filming venues, both indoors and outdoors, and a courteous and ever-friendly community are all things that make this beach city the ideal filming destination for your next project. If the warmth and charm of California are what you're looking for in your next project, you can't go wrong with Encinitas.
While Encinitas may not be a big shot like Malibu, it is not any less charming, plus the filming guidelines in Encinitas are, as you’ve seen, easy to follow. Also, the city hosts numerous local events regularly, such as the April Street Fair, Oktoberfest, Deep Pit BBQ, Encinitas Environment Day, Classic Car Cruise Nights, The Wavecrest Woodie Meet, Wellness Week, Fall Festival, and Salute to Education Event. If you want to feature these in your project, you’ll have to make a few calls and extra arrangements, but it’ll be well worth it.
But most of all, you’ll never have to worry about finding the best filming venues in the city because Giggster has got you covered; we’ll help you pick from the finest venues for rent.
Happy Filming!