City Guide Filming in Palm Springs, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film permit application fee: $184 per production (non-refundable)
- Application fee per week: $229
- Student filming: $86 per production
- Location fee: $46 per week
- Timing: Minimum 3 business days for a simple film shoot
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability Insurance
- Worker’s Compensation Insurance
- Faithful Performance Bond
- Hold Harmless Agreement
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Palm Springs
With its unwavering weather, spectacular landscapes, and close proximity to Los Angeles, the City of Palm Springs has always been the chosen shooting location for film and TV production. Whether it’s the architectural gems spread across the neighborhoods, the ease at which filming permits are issued, or the natural beauty of the desert, Palm Springs is gradually leaving its mark on the movie industry.
Since the beginning of cinema, several films or TV shows have been set or filmed in Palm Springs. Ocean’s Eleven (2001), the remake of the legendary 1960 Rat Pack picture, which featured a stellar ensemble cast that includes George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts, filmed in the City of Palm Springs as part of its set. Isn't it amazing how the city can look like Las Vegas?
Palm Springs has also been featured on “Diamonds are Forever,” “Behind the Candelabra,” and “Mission: Impossible 3”, among others. TV production in the city is huge as well. TV productions like The Bold and the Beautiful and Hidden Palms have been shot here, as well as episodes of Cops, Beverly Hills 90210, The Mentalist, The L Word, and Murder.
However, while Palm Springs is serious about attracting and retaining the good jobs that come from bringing Hollywood here, all filming productions need to adhere to Palm Springs’s filming requirements and guidelines, especially when filming will take place on state property. So, before you even set foot in Palm Springs, make sure you have taken steps to learn the local laws and filming regulations that apply locally.
When shooting in the City of Palm Springs, Giggster makes it easy to seek out unique locations to tell your stories. Check out these ideal locations for filmmakers who love Palm Springs.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Palm Springs?
A valid film permit is necessary for all shootings on public and private property unless you are filming at a licensed film studio. Almost 400 film permits have been obtained from Palm Springs Film Office in Palm Springs over the last two and a half years for everything from music videos and fashion photo shoots to commercials and feature films. An application must be filled out for any form of filming in Palm Springs, even inside private houses, to include the type of production, equipment information, number of personnel, and shoot details such as location, date, and time.
Student Filming
All students who want to shoot a film in Palm Springs are required to complete an online permit application. As a student, you qualify for a special rate for filming permits. When applying for a student filming permit, you are required to submit your school's Certificate of Insurance to satisfy this requirement.
Pyrotechnics Permit
If your film production includes explosives, open flame, special effects, and/or pyrotechnics, you will require a filming permit and should contact the Fire Department to discuss your plan further regarding requesting the Police Department to assist you on your set.
Animal Control Permit
If your filming production will require the use of animals, the City of Palm Springs requires the filmmaker to obtain a permit from the Animal Control Department.
Charitable Films
Non-profit filming projects in Palm Springs that qualify under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code may be exempt from filming permit fees.
Permit Management in Palm Springs
Palm Springs Film Office
The Palm Springs Film Office is responsible for issuing permits to producers filming on location in the city, as well as free police assistance, parking privileges, and access to most outdoor areas. A film permit allows filmmakers to lawfully film in the region that granted the authorization. Prior to the shoot, a permit is always provided after submitting details about the production.
A City's Film Officer will review the specifics of your production and inform you of any unique circumstances that may apply. The officer will also assist you in understanding the permit process for Palm Springs and other local desert communities, as well as separate federal, state, and towns in the wider Palm Springs region. Palm Springs Film Office not only use their knowledge and skills to help you with filming in local areas, but they also maintain a positive working relationship with members of the community to ensure continuous access to the widest possible range of places.
What Insurance Do I Need in Palm Springs?
The first step to getting a filming permit in Palm Spring is to provide the City of Palm Springs with documentation of insurance coverage that is acceptable by the California State Department of Insurance. Submit proof of liability insurance to the City specifying accepted levels of coverage, listing Palm Springs as an extra insured, and displaying a policy period that includes the filming days and times.
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 Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is not only a popular vacation resort; it is also a popular filming location. Palm Springs is a city that both the camera and you will enjoy. Since the 1930s, Palm Springs has served as Hollywood's back lot. For many years, films, TV shows, and commercial shoots have been produced here.
Palm Springs's distinctive architecture, geography, and settings provide for stunning filmmaking. Palm Springs also offers a breathtaking variety both indoors and outside, from a desert oasis and picturesque snow-covered mountains to wild-western desert and mid-century modern architecture. The city has over 350 days of sunshine and is only a few hours from Los Angeles, making it an ideal movie location.
Palm Springs's rustic allure has enticed production and film teams for over a century. For instance, when Frank Capra wanted to portray paradise on Earth, he chose Tahquitz Canyon as the appropriate filming location. To bring life into his faraway 1937 Oscar-winner Lost Horizon, the waterfalls conjured a beautiful escape from our terrestrial trappings. Shangri-La exists, and it glistens over every enticing sight in Palm Springs.
The city’s shopping district, with its restaurants, boutique hotels, and mid-century architecture set against a backdrop of mountains and city, also has a certain allure.
The luxurious Parker Palm Springs resort, which hosts A-list celebrities and parties, has also been listed as a location on 19 different film licenses. The resort was utilized for filming an episode of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" in 2017.
On the other end of the scale, Tipton Road is one of those blacktop roads that appear to be in the middle of nowhere. With nothing around but desert vegetation, distant windmills, and mountains, it has that creepy desert vibe that lends itself to gorgeous photo sessions, fascinating music videos, and memorable road trip scenarios. All in all, the City of Palm Springs's diverse landscapes and locations can assume limitless identities.
Special Requirements in Palm Springs
Filming at the Public Facilities
All filming at public facilities must be allowed by the City Manager. Parks, stadiums, golf courses, swim centers, police departments, fire department facilities, airports, convention centers, libraries, and city halls are examples of city facilities. The use of city vehicles and equipment must also be pre-approved by the City Manager.
Flood Control
When filming in a flood control channel, you must leave the channel when the permit specifies due to water releases. Also, when filming on flood control property, the agency must be listed as an extra insured.
Clean-up
Once approved, you must perform operations in an orderly manner and pay close attention to the storage of idle equipment and the cleanup of debris and garbage. Following the completion of the filming at the scene, the area should be cleaned of debris and garbage and returned to its former condition before leaving the site. If you fail to return the place to its original state, the City maintains the right to clean and restore the scene and charge you for any associated costs.
Palm Springs International Airport
The City of Palm Springs requires that anyone involved in filming activity in any location within the city other than at or in a licensed TV studio or motion picture must obtain a permit from the film permit officer through the county Parks and Recreation Department.
Any commercial filming projects taken at Palm Springs International Airport must be approved by the Director of Aviation. And in some situations, you will have to go through the Transportation Security Administration.
At the time of application, you must submit insurance documentation specifying the International Airport as an extra insured must be presented.
Filming in Residential Areas and on Private Property
For the use of property or amenities not controlled or owned by the city, you must get the property owner's approval, permission, and/or lease. The property owner's written consent must be submitted at the time of the filming permit application.
You must acknowledge that filming production automobiles will not be allowed to drive or park on the public right-of-way unless you get written permission from the property owner. You must also agree to provide parking for production firm equipment to prevent it from cluttering the production area.
You must avoid interfering with a neighborhood's normal activities, including access to public or private property. Littering is not authorized, and all litter must be entirely cleaned up and properly disposed of before leaving the area.
States Parks and Beaches
Permission to film at California Parks and Beaches is coordinated jointly by the California Film Commission, and the Park employees are tasked to supervise film production activities in their respective regions.
You must complete and submit a filming permit application to the California Film Commission at least four working days before filming.
Certificate(s) of Insurance (COI) as proof of General Liability coverage in the amount of at least $1,000,000 for each incident.
What Does it Cost to Film in Palm Springs?
A Palm Springs film permit comes with a variety of fees that vary depending on your location and the scope of your production operations. Fees will be assessed after the Palm Springs Film Office begin processing your permit application. Even if you cancel your application before it is approved, you must still pay the applicable fees. When law enforcement officers and fire safety officials are needed for filming activities, there are extra charges that are invoiced separately. Fee schedules have also been created for the usage of facilities maintained by various city departments and divisions. In addition to the application and site fees, the specific division or department can also charge your company for the use of their amenities.
Additional Fees
Collaborating with local film offices or employing an experienced production coordinator familiar with the area can assist in managing these costs efficiently and simplifying the process of acquiring permits and permissions for filming.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Palm Springs?
Located in the Coachella Valley of the Colorado Desert, the City of Palm Springs is a desert resort municipal in Riverside County, CA. The city has a surface area of about 94 mi2, making Palm Springs the biggest city in Riverside County. With Palm Springs being more than 10 percent of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indian's reserve land, the city serves as the administrative capital of California's most populous reservation.
The city is about 107 miles east of LA, on the western fringe of the Coachella Valley. The city has 96 square miles of land area and well-established neighborhoods. Palm Springs has a huge number of second homes because it is only a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange counties. The city is known for its mid-century modern architecture, as well as its arts and culture scene and leisure activities. It's easy to see why the original Hollywood elite chose the city as their vacation spot. When you first reach the city and see the San Jacinto Mountains hovering over the fashionable areas, you can't help but be enchanted.
The City of Palm Springs Film Office is responsible for issuing filming permit shoots on private and public property in every neighborhood in the city. However, while the City of Palm Springs encompasses the International Airport, the facility requires an additional filming permit.
Outreach in Palm Springs
When shooting in populous regions, filmmakers must notify the residents and businesses within a 300-foot radius of the production site, including those across the street, at least 72 hours in advance. Productions must ensure that homeowners and businesses receive a letter outlining the shooting schedule, parking limitations, and other important information required by the city.
Palm Springs Film Office requires you to write a letter with your production company’s letterhead. For your request to be authorized, the letter must include a mention of the name of your company, the sort of filming, the name of your production, and the fact that you want to shoot in their neighborhood.
While all the homes and/or businesses in the preferred filming community are not required to consent to the issuance of a public notice, Palm Springs will take their concerns seriously and ensure they are effectively addressed. As a result, you are encouraged to collaborate closely with all affected property owners and companies to resolve their concerns. This may assist in avoiding delays or denial of a film permit application.
Community Management in Palm Springs
Residents and business owners of the community you intend to shoot your movie in are something you have to deal with. No matter the size of your film production, residents and business owners are important stakeholders in the film production process. Instead of withholding information, neighbors are more receptive when you are upfront about the whole impact. Inform them that you are a visitor in their area and, if feasible, invite them to observe and give any courtesy you deem suitable.
You should remember to thank them for their help and cooperation. You may also want to make a contribution to a "beautification" project in the neighborhood. For instance, you can pay for a swing set in the neighborhood park, donate to the town library, or other priority initiatives for the municipality.
Conclusion
Few places have so inspired filmmakers as the City of Palm Springs. The wide scenery, rich history, and unforgettable characters of Palm Springs have provided Hollywood with numerous script ideas. From classic westerns to coming-of-age stories to oddball character studies, the city has it all. The neighborhood is home to various film or television production firms and has its own film office.
Also, Palm Springs' gorgeous environment, film/television activities, and a prime location within driving distance of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas make it perfect for both film students and professionals. However, as a filmmaker, you should be aware that shooting in Palm Springs will bring with it local norms and Palm Springs filming regulations. So, it is critical to grasp Palm Springs's filming restrictions. This guide makes it easier for filmmakers to discover the numerous Palm Spring filming guidelines and local legislation that apply in the city.
It allows filmmakers to explore a few possible locations, choose their favorites, and ensure they're within Palm Springs Film Office coverage area. You should also contact Palm Springs Film Office before writing the property owner a check or making any commitments to discuss the area and your intended filming ideas. The City Officer will save you time and money by guiding you through permit processes and the specific demands of surrounding towns.