City Guide Filming in North Hollywood, 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
- Workers’ Compensation
Additional Permits
Discounts
About North Hollywood
The neighborhood of North Hollywood which, broadly speaking, lies north of Hollywood as the name suggests, separated by a mountain range, is a community with residents that are accustomed to having production teams in town. Moreover, in the wider sense, the region has a rich and interesting history in the arts and entertainment scene as it features an arts district (NoHo Arts District) as well as numerous professional theatres, art galleries, playhouses, and sound studios.
The fact this neighborhood is where the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Television Academy, for short) is based makes it popular among those looking to shoot films and TV series. There’s just that cool feeling to be filming in the town where excellence in your field of discipline is rewarded through awards (like the Primetime Emmy Awards), scholarships, and internships, to name a few.
Another reason North Hollywood is an attractive destination for filmmakers is that it is part-home to Universal Studios which is easily accessible via one of the main streets in the neighborhood. You can bet that the desire to film in this legendary studio is certainly strong! The locations in town are no less inviting too, and you’ll find it hard to disagree knowing that movies and TV series such as Licorice Pizza, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Pulp Fiction, Scrubs, Malcolm in the Middle, Captain Marvel, Taken, and The Karate Kid were shot in North Hollywood. So, find your own location in North Hollywood now on Giggster!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in North Hollywood?
Depending on the nature of your filming activity in North Hollywood, you may or may not require a permit for you to get your camera(s) rolling. Quite simply, if you are filming in the neighborhood for personal use, you won’t need to get a permit before you can do your thing, meaning that as long as there is no commercial value attached to your filming exercise, you are good to go. Likewise, you may not need a permit if you are in a certified sound stage and your activities won’t have any impact on the folks in the community. Still, if you intend to film for personal ends but are in doubt about whether you actually need a permit, you should reach out to FilmLA for clarifications.
On the other hand, filmmakers who set out with commercial production in mind must get a permit before kicking off their project in North Hollywood. Failure to do so means you will be breaking the filming laws in North Hollywood and this attracts strict fines/penalties, the first of which is the police coming to shut down your production, before anything else. Generally speaking, commercial filming in North Hollywood requires a permit, however, there are some other permits that are issued for filming activities in the neighborhood:
Student film permit
This is issued to student filmmakers who are able to meet certain published criteria that certify that the project is for educational purposes only. The rates are discounted too.
Non-profit film permit
This is issued to non-profit organizations as a courtesy if they meet certain conditions;
Fire permit
This permit is issued to filmmakers whose projects involve the use of special effects, explosions, pyrotechnics, and other related elements that may constitute a fire safety hazard.
Permit Management in North Hollywood
FilmLA
The agency that is saddled with the responsibility of issuing film permits for commercial productions in public and private properties in North Hollywood is FilmLA.
The film company (or its representative) submits the film application to FilmLA who in turn reviews the application and the supporting documents to see if they are in order. Thereafter, the office assigns the application to a designated Production Coordinator who takes it from there and works with the production company on the next steps. The process takes at least three complete business days; hence filmmakers are required to send in their applications a minimum of three working days before the filming start date. In some cases, some projects may require more days to process.
In addition to managing the film permitting process, FilmLA provides additional services such as:
Helping filmmakers with location scouting via LocoScout;
Providing logistical collaboration with the filming community;
Notifying the neighborhood two days before the start of filming;
Providing film monitors where required;
Community outreach.
To obtain a film permit from FilmLA, filmmakers need to identify their preferred location in the neighborhood, discuss this location with the Production Coordinator to know if there are special requirements, secure the required insurance for the filming project, and submit the application (which will involve the payment of specified application fees). In some cases, the filmmaker may need to conduct a film survey, organize a walk-through, get additional permits, or pay for additional services, all depending on the nature of the project.
Filmmakers that require a fire permit because of their production requirements have to contact the Public Safety and Film Unit of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division and submit a Motion Picture/Filming Permit Request. In addition, all location permits that are submitted to FilmLA are reviewed by the Special Events Permit Unit (SEPU) of the LAPD’s Office of Operations for compliance with traffic regulations and controls as well as investigation of complaints.
What Insurance Do I Need in North Hollywood?
A certificate of insurance is one of the documents that any filmmaker who wishes to carry out their project in North Hollywood must provide before they will be issued a film permit. This will be in the form of a proof of liability which must name both FilmLA and Los Angeles County as additional insured. Moreover, it is mandatory for the film company to provide proof of Workers’ Compensation coverage which must, according to California state laws, include Employers’ Liability coverage (minimum of $1,000,000 per incident).
As for the production insurance requirements in North Hollywood, here are the minimums per occurrence as stipulated by the County of Los Angeles
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 North Hollywood?
The neighborhood of North Hollywood has different locations that are good fits for film production activities. Depending on what your script requires, you can find a number of places where your cast and crew can settle in for your takes. For instance, North Hollywood is well known for its streets and boulevards which have been featured in lots of movies; examples include Sherman Way and Sylvan Street. These sites are easily adaptable and give producers little stress to modify into what suits their needs.
Other locations in North Hollywood that are prime spaces for film production include an airport, high schools, parks, convenience stores, church buildings, and restaurants. Family homes and residential apartments in the neighborhood are also among the most used places for film shoots – the architectural styles in the neighborhood certainly favor this. Look out for Spanish bungalows if you’re in town.
Special Requirements in North Hollywood
Los Angeles Unified School District
Schools in North Hollywood are under the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), hence, all filmmakers who wish to shoot projects in schools in the neighborhood need to comply with the special filming guidelines that apply to LAUSD property. The application still goes to FilmLA, however, LAUSD will review the request as part of the process of obtaining a License Agreement for school filming. Here are some of the things to do before you can film in a school in the neighborhood;
Find a school and location of interest, either by using LocoScout or by speaking with a school’s specialist and check for availability;
Fill and sign the LAUSD license application as well as other supporting documents and submit via email to FilmLA at least four business days before the date of the shoot;
Review the prohibited and restricted activities;
Obtain a film permit from FilmLA using MyFilmLA;
Secure approval from the Los Angeles Fire Department;
Provide insurance with minimum limits of $2,000,000 that cover Commercial General Liability, Auto Liability, and proof of Workers’ Compensation and include FilmLA and LAUSD as additional insured, submitting the insurance document via email to FilmLA;
Before your application can be processed, you must pay the applicable production and parking fees (if needed). These include:
A deposit fee of $500 per day which will be returned if you meet specified conditions;
Basic filming fee of $3,500 for 15 hours;
Student basic filming fee of $350 for 4 hours;
Overtime fee of $140 per hour;
Student overtime fee of $70 per hour;
The custodial fee of $40 per hour;
Half-day filming fee of $1,750 for 6 hours;
Overnight parking/storage fee of $1,000 per day;
Crew and base camp parking fees vary from $950 for 8 hours to $1,648 for 16 hours, with extra charges for additional hours;
Rates for the use of facilities will be provided on request.
North Hollywood and Valley Plaza Recreation Centers
Filmmakers that wish to film in either North Hollywood Recreation Center or Valley Plaza Recreation Center are required to follow the guidelines set by the Los Angeles Park Film Office as that is the designated agency that reviews and issues film permits for parks in the neighborhood. Moreover, the Park Film Office works in conjunction with FilmLA during the permit review and issuance process.
To get the permit to film in these recreation centers in North Hollywood, follow the steps below:
Identify the location(s) you intend to use and the time you will film in the location(s);
Reach out to the Park Film Office to get detailed information about the location;
Make payment to FilmLA after tidying up with the Park Film Office;
Preparation days - $150 per day per park
Film days - $450 per day per park (takes care of base camp and crew parking);
Wrap/Clean-up days - $150 per day per park;
Equipment base camp - $450 per day per park;
Location hold - $450 per day per park;
Special Facility Administration Fee - $150;
Park Monitor - $38 per hour.
You may need a Park Monitor to protect the park resources and facilitate your filming activities depending on where your film location is and what you intend to do there.
Hollywood Burbank Airport
Commercial filming is welcome at the Hollywood Burbank Airport, especially the ramp, curbside, and baggage claim areas, and filmmakers fancy this location for a number of reasons:
Proximity to major studios;
Friendly staff;
Smooth film permit application process with reasonable costs;
Base camp space;
Office spaces in roomy hangars.
Film companies are to direct their inquiries for filming at the airport to the designated filming contacts for more information.
What Does it Cost to Film in North Hollywood?
Filming in North Hollywood comes with associated costs such as fees for the permit application, monitoring fees, notification fees, etc. Other fees may be levied to the filmmaker because of the location they intend to use, the type of film production, how long the project will take, or who will be affected. Applicants can make payments while applying online for their film permit on MyFilmLA using debit or credit cards or their FilmLA business account.
Additional Fees
Additional charges may be required when enlisting the services of city personnel or security officers in charge of crowd and traffic control at film locations in North Hollywood. The production company is also responsible for the fees charged by private property owners for indoor filming and rentals.
Geographical Jurisdiction of North Hollywood?
North Hollywood is bordered to the north by Sun Valley and to the south by Valley Village. The city of Burbank is located directly east, while Valley Village lies west. The neighborhood is divided into western and eastern sections by the Hollywood Fairway which runs in a north-south direction connecting Sun Valley to Valley Village.
Burbank
Commercial filming in Burbank, the Media Capital of the World, requires a permit from the City of Burbank Film Permit Office, regardless of whether it is on public or private property. The permit application can be done online or treated as paper-based.
All permittees are required to follow the process highlighted below: Review the rules and regulations to know what is required and the accompanying documentation for the permit; Ensure you submit the application at least three to five business days (Fridays are not included) before the proposed date of filming. Some complex projects may require up to two weeks’ advance notice; Pay the non-refundable application fee; Submit the insurance certificate and associated endorsement documents duly reviewed by the City Attorney; Contact and secure approval from any City Department that may be affected by the filming project.
The Burbank Fire Department reviews permits for projects that require interior filming because a Fire Safety Officer is often required for such activities. When filming on public property, at least one Burbank Police Office is required, depending on the nature of the filming activity. Usually, the Film Permit Office coordinates with the Fire and Police Departments on the assignment of personnel to film projects.
The film permit application fee for 1 to 2 consecutive days of filming costs $398 ($25 for students), while 3 to 7 consecutive days cost $707 ($100 for students). A police officer’s rate is $140 per hour for at least four hours, while a Fire Safety Officer’s rate is $108 per hour.
As for insurance, the requirement includes Commercial General Liability Insurance of a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence, Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance of a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and statutory Workers’ Compensation Insurance that covers Employer’s Liability of not less than $1,000,000. The city of Burbank must be listed as an additional insured.
San Fernando
Unless you’re in San Fernando for student filming, news media coverage, or any other filming activity that is for non-commercial use, you require a film production permit from the City Manager’s Office. In essence, all commercial filming on private and public property can only be done after a permit is obtained from the designated office. The application is submitted to the City Manager’s Office where it is then distributed to appropriate City Departments for review, depending on the scope of the film project.
The considerations below apply to permittees in San Fernando: All applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the first day of filming. Complex shoots require longer; For fees – Application costs $240 when submitted 15 days before the filming date; Applications submitted less than 15 days before the filming date cost $300; The permit fee is $300 for the first day and every additional day costs $100;
In the area of insurance – Certificate of Insurance with a single limit of not less than $1,000,000; The insurance period must cover the period of the filming from start to finish; Statutory workers’ compensation insurance;
Filming is allowed from Monday to Saturday between 7 am and 10 pm. Filming on Sundays is only allowed in commercial areas between 9 am and 7 pm;
All filmmakers must distribute notifications to all residents and businesses within 500ft of the filming location and obtain signatures of acknowledgment; Projects that involve traffic diversion or control, special effects, stunts, etc. will require the involvement of City Police Officers; Parking of production vehicles is allowed on one side of the street to avoid disruptions.
Outreach in North Hollywood
One of the services that FilmLA offers (which permittees pay for) is the distribution of filming notices to the people that reside within, and businesses that operate in the area where the film project is scheduled to take place. These notices are sent out to the communities two business days before the film date. Filming companies are encouraged to also send out their own notification letters to the neighborhoods too which should include information about the film project such as the details of the filming and the company’s contact information.
In special cases, filming companies are required to conduct filming surveys because of special circumstances that surround their filming such as late hours, road closures, extended production parking, extended duration of filming, etc.
Community Management in North Hollywood
It’s crucial to have a good relationship with the people of North Hollywood during filming activities in the neighborhood and filmmakers achieve this in a number of ways:
Ensuring that the contact person for the film company is always reachable so that the concerns of the residents can be promptly addressed as they are raised;
Keeping all locations free of debris and trash after every session is concluded. Site clean-up is essential;
Engaging the community members via avenues such as public meetings, town hall sessions, etc.
Where necessary, providing compensation to affected residents or businesses.
Conclusion
North Hollywood in the Los Angeles County of California offers memorable filming experiences to cast and crew that spend time here carrying out production works such as feature films, TV shows, commercials, and ads, as well as non-profit and student films. It’s certainly a plus that this neighborhood is popular for being home to the Television Academy, as it is also within the vicinity of Universal Studios. Moreover, the vibrant arts scene in the community also adds to the allure of the area.
To obtain a permit to film here, production companies simply have to apply to FilmLA, the agency authorized to manage the film permitting process for North Hollywood, after identifying their desired location(s) and securing all necessary supporting documentation. Besides, the residents of the neighborhood are always welcoming to filmmakers, making their stay as productive and comfortable as possible. Filmmakers only need to meet them halfway by ensuring that they abide by all the filming regulations in North Hollywood.