City Guide Filming in Oakland, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: $108 per day
- Film Permit Application Fee: Free
Minimum Insurance
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- $2,000,000 general liability aggregate
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Oakland
The city of Oakland, east of San Francisco, off the San Francisco Bay, is one of those places that may not be so popular in the filmmaking industry, but still offers producers who know its value some of the best filming experiences. Here, filmmakers can carry out all manner of projects ranging from feature films, to commercials, TV, music videos, documentaries, and even student projects. In essence, Oakland may not rank high and be on the level of places like Hollywood or Chicago, but you also cannot take away what makes this city a choice destination for producers who have tasted what it offers.
Oakland stands outs as one of the cities with an ethnically diverse population and is also among the top art communities in the US. These distinctive features of the city have for a long time, as far back as the early 1900’s, attracted different producers with unique requirements. Even more, thanks to the diversity here, settings that feature and represent Italian, French, Ethiopian, Caribbean, Portuguese/Spanish, and Asian communities, to mention a few, are easy to find and use for filming purposes. Besides, the folks in the city embrace films and filming crews whenever they are in town, offering memorable experiences that make them feel at home for the entire duration of their project.
And, yes, top-class movies and TV series have been shot in the city, some of which include Ant-Man & The Wasp, The Matrix: Reloaded, Moneyball, A View to a Kill, Fruitvale Station, Sorry to Bother You, and Blindspotting. So, find your own filming location in Oakland with Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Oakland?
Some filming activities in Oakland require permits to take place while others do not, and it all depends on the nature of the project and what will be used during the course of the filming. If your film production meets the criteria below, then you won’t be needing a permit from the city’s film office to do your business:
You are covering a news story and have press credentials;
You are shooting the video for personal use (such as when you are on family vacation);
You are doing the entirety of your filming in a private property, like your home or a private establishment, and you won’t take any shots of the exterior part of the private space;
Your shooting on private property will not affect parking outside the property.
In the case of filming on private property, bear in mind that you would need a lease agreement and written permission from the property owner.
Filming under the conditions below requires a permit from the city’s film office to take place:
Filming on city property (such as parks, sidewalks, roads, buildings, parking lots, etc.) for either commercial or non-commercial use;
Filming that impacts public access and activities like parking;
Filming that requires the use of city services;
Filming that involves the use of drones.
Depending on the nature of the filming project, certain other permits are required in addition to the permit issued by the city’s film office to comply with filming regulations in Oakland.
Encroachment Permit
You require this for cases when you will block and/or close streets, obstruct pedestrian and/or vehicle movement. The City of Oakland Police Department issues this permit.
Fire Permit
You require this permit if your film project includes fireworks, open flames, stunts with pyrotechnics, special effects, etc. The City of Oakland Fire Department issues this permit.
Unmanned Aircraft System Film Permit
You require this permit for drone flights during filming activities that involve city property. The application is treated by the city’s film office.
Permit Management in Oakland
Oakland Film Office
In the city of Oakland, the agency that manages and issues filming permits is the Oakland Film Office. The permits issued by the film office authorize film producers to carry out their production activities on streets and properties owned, managed, and/or leased by the City of Oakland. When you secure this permit, you are allowed to film in the designated locations between 7am and 10pm. If your project requires you to film outside these stipulated hours, then you will need to secure written authorization from the Film Coordinator designated by the Oakland Film Office.
In cases where your film project requires additional city services such as those of the Police or Fire Departments, you will be responsible for contacting the appropriate city department and applying for the permit you may require (e.g., Encroachment or Fire permit). The only other permit the Oakland Film Office processes as part of the Film Permit application, when required, is Drone Permit, in which case you would need to provide additional documentation.
A quick and easy way to go through the permit application process is by using the checklist below:
Do I need a permit?
Have I reviewed the terms and conditions of the Oakland Film Office?
Do I have the required insurance policies in place?
Have I notified the community that will be impacted by the project?
Have I prepared/secured additional documentation that may be required?
When these are done, you can apply online or send the application form via email to the Oakland Film Office and the office will revert as soon as the application processing is complete.
What Insurance Do I Need in Oakland?
To film in Oakland, you need to comply with the insurance requirements of the city. What you have to do in this regard is to provide the Oakland Film Office with an ACORD Certificate of Insurance that covers the following:
$1,000,000 per occurrence; and
$2,000,000 general liability aggregate.
The general liability policy must be endorsed and you must name "The City of Oakland, its Council members, directors, officers, agents, employees” as additional insured. With both documents – the ACORD and the Endorsement – you are good to go, unless the film office deems some other requirements necessary, probably because of the scale of your project. Endorsements are not required for Auto or Worker’s Compensation policies if you are asked to provide those for the production. You can either send your insurance documents via email or US mail to the film office.
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 Oakland?
Finding a filming location in Oakland is as easy as it is interesting, in many ways due to the various architectural masterpieces, art scenes, beaches, forests, freeways and highways, as well as parks in the city that meet the script requirements for producers. That’s exactly why different parts of the city have, over the years, been depicted in films.
One of the most attractive features in Oakland is the vibrant art scene that captures the creativity of the residents of the communities, making several places in Chinatown, Uptown, Downtown, Jack London Square, and Old Oakland fantastic backdrops for sets and stages. In addition to that, the galleries in the city are known to be good spots that showcase the rich art culture of Oaklanders, which producers can easily adapt to suit their project needs.
In terms of the architectural styles that Oakland boasts, one classic location here is the Camron-Stanford House, a true representation of 19th-century era décor, and the Victorian-era buildings in the Lake Merritt area. Oakland is also home to apartment buildings, large office buildings, and family houses that were built in the early 1920s, all of which are prime examples of the architectural bias of that time.
Furthermore, the city is home to different museums and vintage structures that filmmakers can make use of as they see fit. Examples include the Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space and Science Center, African American Museum and Library, USS Potomac, Oakland Aviation Museum, and the Museum of Art & Digital Entertainment. The outdoors also provides good filming locations in Oakland and producers don’t hesitate to take advantage of the city’s picturesque parks, beaches, forests, bridges, freeways, and tunnels too.
Looking for some landmark locations in the city to feature in your project? Try the Cathedral Building or The Layover Bar.
Special Requirements in Oakland
Oakland International Airport
All who wish to film at Oakland International Airport must submit their film request to the airport management for review and approval. The Landside Operations Administrative Office manages the film permit application at the airport and requires all filmmakers to submit their film permit application and location agreement at least two weeks before the start of filming. Certificate(s) of insurance must accompany the application too.
Film rates range from $50 to $150 per day depending on the nature of the project, however student filming is free (if you can provide a letter from your institution). The minimum location rate per hour in the airport is $500. When additional services such as law enforcement, firefighting, or security guard, are required, the producer will cover the cost for such services.
Insurance requirements include:
General Liability of $4,000,000 (or more);
Business Automobile Liability of up to $6,000,000;
Workers Compensation and Employers Liability of $3,000,000 (or more);
Media Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 (or more);
Builders' Risk Insurance;
Deductibles or Self-Insured Retentions not more than $25,000.
Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland, well-known as a hub for commerce, tourism, and recreation, offers the opportunity for filmmakers to make use of the Middle Harbor Shoreline Park (MHSP) for commercial filming activities. Interested producers need to contact the Port Authority via email to secure a special permit for filming.
The permit fee ranges from $500 to $8,000 depending on the size and scope of the film production, and excludes additional fees for services such as parking. To obtain the filming permit for the MHSP, liability insurance is also required. Typically, film permits are issued within eight weeks from the date of application; however, that also depends on a number of other factors. Send an email to the Port of Oakland for more information if you’re interested in filming there.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
You may be able to film within Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) premises and facilities without obtaining a permit if you are in a BART public area and are not impacting others by your filming, nor filming for commercial reasons/production. Otherwise, you will require a BART filming permit. So, if you wish to film on BART property for educational, commercial, or non-profit purposes, apply for a permit and provide proof of insurance.
Here are the things to note before you apply for a BART film permit:
Application fee is $350 ($30 for students) and non-refundable;
Other fees include location fees, as well as fees for BART staff, equipment, and services required;
Apply for the permit one month ahead of filming to enable adequate processing and review, but not later than 20 business days;
Students must show proof of studentship and evidence that the filming is part of student work;
Fulfill all insurance requirements
Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 minimum per incident & $2,000,000 annual aggregate;
Automobile Liability of $1,000,000;
Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability of $1,000,000;
Risk Permittee’s Equipment Insurance.
What Does it Cost to Film in Oakland?
Filming in Oakland comes with associated costs except when the film activities do not require a permit from the Oakland Film Office. There is, in general, no application fee charged by the film office for permits. However, there are daily permit rates depending on the nature of the project (with the exemption of student filming). These are highlighted below (and subject to change)
Additional Fees
When additional services are required, additional fees are incurred by the filmmaker and these include
When using certain city properties, like the City Hall, City Hall Plaza (exterior), Dalziel Building, and Wilson Building, the filmmaker is required to pay an additional $1,000 per day for each building used. The Oakland Film Office will provide the rates per day for using City Parks. There are parking fees too, and these rates are provided by the Oakland Film Office.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Oakland?
The city of Oakland is bordered to the north by Berkeley and to the south by San Leandro. Eastport lies east while Alameda is located south of the city. Also, within the city of Oakland lies the city of Piedmont which is completely surrounded by Oakland. In terms of the terrain, Oakland has both flat-lying areas to south and west, as well as hilly neighborhoods to the north and east.
Piedmont
The Department of Public Works is responsible for receiving and processing film permits in Piedmont. There are a number of situations in Piedmont where you can film without having a permit and some of these are: When the filming is for personal or family use; When the filming is for emergencies, civil proceedings, or a criminal investigation; Filming for news purposes.
Otherwise, you need to obtain a film permit by submitting your application at least five working days before you send out the notification letter to the neighborhood(s) where filming will be done. As per Piedmont filming laws, the notification to the neighborhood must go out at least ten days before filming starts, and that’s after the letter has been vetted by the Film Coordinator.
You will need to contact the Department of Public Works to know what the current cost of application and general liability insurance is. However, the permit for shooting commercial videos is $1,890, while motion picture videos cost $2,355. Deposit payment may be required too, to be returned after filming if there’s no damage during the course of the film shoot. Filming is permitted between 6am and 10pm.
Berkeley
The Berkeley Film Office works with the City of Berkeley Permit Service Center when it comes to film permits in the city. To secure a film permit, you have to send in your application to the Berkeley Film Office at least five business days prior to the film date. This is to give enough time for the film office to liaise with all the necessary departments that will be involved in the permit process, but in no case should the application be sent in less than three days to the shoot date. Complex projects may require a seven-day advance application.
As for insurance requirements, applicants must provide General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, and Auto Liability of minimum $1,000,000 each. Some projects may require more, and if that’s the case for your production, you will be notified. Film permit rates vary from $100 per day to $150 per day depending on the nature of the project, and additional filing and technology fees are charged too.
The notification letter to the community that will be affected by the film project must be sent at least 72 hours before filming is set to commence. Parking fees apply too.
Alameda
If your film production will not involve street closure or traffic control, you can send in your permit application to the City of Alameda Permit Center four business days from the date of filming. But if it will, you need to submit your application 14 calendar days before filming. Moreover, for your application to be accepted, you must also provide a Certificate of Insurance as well as an Endorsement of General Liability that amounts to $2,000,000. The insurance documents are required ten (10) days before the filming event.
As for the fees, a $1,500 deposit and parking fee of $14 per parking space per day must be paid. All charges are drawn from the deposit until the end of the project when whatever is left will be refunded. Advance neighborhood notification period is 72 hours.
Outreach in Oakland
According to the filming guidelines in Oakland, all filmmakers must notify, in writing, the residents and businesses within the vicinity of the filming locations at least one week before production begins. Prior to sending out the letters, the permittee must have the letter approved by the Film Coordinator. A template of the letter – the Neighborhood Notification Advisory Notice – is provided by the Oakland Film Office to serve as a guide for producers that wish to film in Oakland’s neighborhoods.
Community Management in Oakland
Despite the fact that Oaklanders are known to be welcoming to film cast and crew, there’s also some responsibility on the part of the film production team to make their stay in the city non-disruptive to the residents as much as possible. In line with this, things to consider include engaging the community via public forums and meetings, being reachable whenever residents or businesses have a question/concern, and keeping film locations tidy after every shoot is complete.
Conclusion
Records of filming in Oakland date back to 1908, a time when film production was not widespread as it later became in the decades that followed, and that’s something that points to how long the city has been welcoming filmmakers. Even though the city may not be the first place that comes to mind when film locations are being considered, there’s certainly so much to enjoy here whenever producers decide to settle here for their shoots.
It's hard to miss great locations for shoots in the city, whether it’s the Downtown area, airport and seaport environment, or the freeways and bridges. The parks and outdoor spaces are picture-perfect too, such that you can’t get tired of them. What’s more, as a city that is popular for its artistic brilliance, diversity, and culinary delight, there’s certainly much more to Oakland than the Victorian homes, charming architectural styles, and clear skies. It takes only one filming experience in Oakland to truly get how lovely the city is.