City Guide Filming in Ranch, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Application Fee: $895
- Student Permit Fee (simple): $50
- Student Permit Fee (complex): $129
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability
- Auto Liability
- Workers’ compensation
Additional Permits
- Drone Administration Fee: $75
- Helicopter Administration Fee: $75
- Gunfire Administration Fee: $75
Discounts
- $33 for students
About Ranch
The neighborhood of Porter Ranch is in the northwestern part of the San Fernando Valley, about eight miles west of the city of San Fernando. As one of the suburban neighborhoods in the Valley, it is home to natural areas and spaces that favor different kinds of film production. It is easily accessible too, thanks to the Ronald Reagan Freeway and the network of roads that link the various parts of the neighborhood. This makes film production here seamless.
Commercial motion picture production in Porter Ranch dates to the 1930s, and some of the popular productions here include Day Shift (2022), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), The Good Earth (1937), Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story (2015), I Do... I Did! (2009), Billy the Kid (1930), Being Black Enough (2017), and Desert Vengeance (1931). Take advantage of the serene and picturesque settings in Porter Ranch by scheduling your next production in the neighborhood. Use Giggster to find the location that suits your production needs.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Ranch?
In line with the filming guidelines in Porter Ranch, you can film in the neighborhood without first securing a film permit if your production is solely for personal use without any commercial ends. A good example is if you are touring the city with your loved ones and documenting your trip on video.
On the other hand, if you visit Porter Ranch for filming activities and intend to carry out commercial production of any kind, you must first obtain a film permit before you go about your production. Failure to do this is tantamount to breaking Porter Ranch's filming laws. Also, you will need a film permit regardless of whether your intended filming location is public property in the neighborhood or private property.
You are welcome to film in Porter Ranch if you are a student. However, you must first obtain a student filming permit before you commence your production in the neighborhood.
If your production involves the use of special effects or some other complex activities, you may be required to obtain additional approvals in addition to the film permit before you commence filming. For instance, The Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, or Los Angeles County Department of Health Services may need to sign off on your production because of its nature and scope
student filming permit
you must first obtain a student filming permit before you commence your production in the neighborhood.
public property
you will need a film permit regardless of whether your intended filming location is public property in the neighborhood or private property.
Permit Management in Ranch
FilmLA
FilmLA is the office that coordinates the process of getting a permit to film in Porter Ranch. So, if you are a filmmaker that plans to shoot production in Porter Ranch, FilmLA is the agency you will liaise with for your film permit.
FilmLA does more than manage the film permitting process for Porter Ranch. If you wish to get information about the experience of past production teams in Porter Ranch, you can reach out to FilmLA for help. Moreover, if you are having difficulties finding answers to production budgeting questions, particularly for Porter Ranch, FilmLA can be of assistance. In addition, in situations where you intend to film in an area with special filming conditions, FilmLA can guide you through the process. In general, FilmLA will help you comply with Porter Ranch filming regulations.
As you prepare for your production in Porter Ranch, you must apply for your film permit at least three business days before the date of filming – and that is if you intend to carry out a simple production in the neighborhood. Some permits take as long as seven business days (or even more) to process, so you should apply as early as possible. Productions that have special effects or require street closures are examples of those that require more than three business days to process.
What Insurance Do I Need in Ranch?
One of the major requirements for a film permit in Porter Ranch is insurance. As a producer, you must provide insurance that aligns with what FilmLA requires for your production before you can be issued a permit to film in the neighborhood. FilmLA recommends that you first contact their office to speak with an insurance specialist as you plan to get the insurance you need.
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 Ranch?
In Porter Ranch, you will come across plenty of residential homes within its suburban landscape. This is one of the attractive features of the neighborhood for filmmakers looking to set scenes in homes or family settings. Moreover, the neighborhood also comprises a lot of coffee shops and restaurants that are easily adaptable for diverse production needs.
Another dominant feature of Porter Ranch is the number of parks in the neighborhood. These include Canyon Park, Viking Park, Palisades Park, Limekiln Canyon Park, Moonshine Canyon Park, Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park, Rinaldi Park, and Porter Ridge Park. Some of these parks have served as sites of movie and TV production over the years and continue to attract filmmakers.
The schools and a public library are additional locations that producers can explore in Porter Ranch.
Special Requirements in Ranch
Los Angeles Unified School District
Castlebay Lane Charter School is managed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This, therefore, means that if you plan to film in the school, you must be ready to comply with LAUSD’s film production requirements on permitting, filming hours, fees, etc.
First, you should get in touch with LAUSD, or the filming liaison assigned to Castlebay Lane Charter School to discuss the details of your production such as the scope, duration, equipment, etc. After finalizing those details, you can then complete an LAUSD film license application/agreement and submit it along with a detailed parking map to FilmLA.
LAUSD also has some more requirements that you must fulfill before you can shoot production in Castlebay Lane Charter School in Porter Ranch. These include:
Securing a film permit from FilmLA
Obtaining approval from the Los Angeles Fire Department
Agreeing to have a FilmLA Monitor on-site for the entire duration of production
Providing insurance with the following coverage via email:
Commercial General Liability of at least $2,000,000
Auto Liability of at least $2,000,000
Proof of workers’ compensation according to statutory requirements
You need to pay some fees too to be able to film in Castlebay Lane Charter School:
A refundable deposit of $500 per day
The basic filming rate of $3,500 for 15 hours
$350 for 4 hours for students
A half-day filming rate - $1,750 for 6 hours
An overtime rate - is $140 per hour
$70 per hour for students
A custodial rate - is $40 per hour
An overtime parking/storage fee - $1,000 per day
Los Angeles Parks
Several Los Angeles City parks are in Porter Ranch, so if you wish to make use of any of LA Parks’ facilities in the neighborhood, you must comply with certain special requirements. The parks include Porter Ridge Park, Wilbur-Tampa Park, Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park, Moonshine Canyon Park, Limekiln Canyon Park, Aliso Canyon Park, and Viking Park.
The LA Park Film Office works with FilmLA to approve and issue a permit to film in any of these parks in Porter Ranch. Moreover, the Park Film Office also provides information that will help you during the permit process. They make their staff available to meet with location managers too.
These are the steps to follow before you can film in any of the LA parks in Porter Ranch:
Decide on the park and location(s) to use
Reach out to the Park Film Office for information about how to reserve the location(s)
Apply for a FilmLA permit
Pay the filming fees (FilmLA and Park Use fees)
What Does it Cost to Film in Ranch?
As part of your plans to film in Porter Ranch, be prepared to pay some fees before, during, and possibly after production. These fees cover services that FilmLA will offer while processing your permit and, if required, after your permit has been processed. Besides, you will also need to cover the costs of services offered by City or County agencies if they are involved during filming.
Additional Fees
When you request a permit to film in Porter Ranch or any part of Los Angeles City, be prepared to pay all required fees. The total amount that comes with your permit will depend on several factors, including the location used, duration and impact of the filming activity, and production type.
A filmmaker must also pay any government-related fees when obtaining a permit or any additional expenses incurred while filming in the area. It is important to note that FilmLA does not set or manage film-related fees that its government partners charge.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Ranch?
The neighborhood of Porter Ranch is bordered by Northbridge to the south. To the east of the neighborhood lies Granada Hills and Granada Hills North. Chatsworth borders the neighborhood to the west, while the Santa Susana Mountains lie north. State Route 118 (Ronald Reagan Freeway) runs from east to west through the neighborhood and connects San Fernando to Moorpark. Some of the main roads/thoroughfares in the neighborhood include Corbin Avenue, Mason Avenue, Tampa Avenue, Rinaldi Street, and Porter Ranch Drive.
San Fernando
The City Manager’s Office is the office that issues film permits to filmmakers that intend to shoot productions in the city of San Fernando. The City Manager’s Office requires filmmakers to submit their film permit application at least fifteen calendar days before production is scheduled to commence. Any team that applies for the permit less than fifteen calendar days to filming will pay additional costs.
A complete application package for production in San Fernando must contain the following documents: The completed application form A certificate of insurance The production diagram A private property use form Acknowledgment signatures of the residents and/or businesses that are within a 500 ft radius of filming activity.
When the City Manager’s Office receives the application, it is sent to appropriate City departments for review. These include the Police, Public Works, and Recreation and Community Services. The Los Angeles Fire Department will also review the application to determine if additional approval, personnel, or equipment will be required during production.
The application fee for a permit in San Fernando is $240. However, filmmakers that submit their application less than fifteen days before production will pay $300. The film permit fee for the first day of production is $300, while every additional day of production is $100 per day. A filmmaker will cover the costs of additional services or personnel used during production as well. The City requires filmmakers to make all payments before filming commences.
The certificate of insurance must name the City of San Fernando and its officials as additional insured and have a combined single liability limit of at least $1,000,000. Moreover, the insurance must be valid for the entire duration of production.
Corbin Avenue
There are special requirements for production on the hillside street of Corbin Avenue within and outside Porter Ranch because of the limited visibility on the street. These conditions are summarized below:
Notify the affected residents at least two days before the start of production or set preparation Do not arrive before 7 am, and ensure you have left by 10 pm Convey all cast and crew members to the location by bus Do not trespass on private property Do not interfere with normal neighborhood activities Catering and feeding must be on private property away from public view Remove all trash at the end of production
Monteria Estates (Northridge)
FilmLA issues film permits for Northridge. However, there are special conditions for filming in the gated community of Monteria Estates within Northridge. Some of these special requirements are highlighted below:
Notify residents that will be affected by filming at least two days before set preparation or production All activities must be done between 7 am and 10 pm, except with prior approval Cast and crew must not park on area streets Contain lighting on the property it is being used for Provide water truck when vehicles are parked on the dirt lot on Winnetka Avenue
For filming activities approved outside the normal filming hours of 7 am to 10 pm, the following conditions apply: All activities must be done at least 400 ft away from other residences Park all equipment at least 300 ft away from other residences Communication must not be audible to surrounding residents No equipment movement is allowed between 10 pm and 7 am Filming surveys are required
Wilbur Avenue
Special filming conditions in effect in the quiet and residential Wilbur Avenue are presented below: Notify residents that will be affected by filming activities at least two days before production or set preparation Park only essential vehicles and do not use driveways as turnarounds Make arrangements for an LAPD officer if parking on weekdays while school is in session Cast and crew are not allowed to park on area streets Filming activities are allowed from 7 am to 10 pm Filming is not allowed on weekends except otherwise approved Obtain permission from property owners before filming on private property A FilmLA Monitor will be assigned
White Oak Avenue
Special filming conditions in White Oak Avenue are highlighted below: Notify affected residents at least two days before the start of filming or set preparations Cast and crew are not allowed to park personal vehicles on area streets; they are to be shuttled to and from the filming location Arrange for an LAPD officer when production equipment parking All filming activities are allowed from 7 am to 10 pm Use generators that have proper noise shields and only in approved areas Confine lighting to the specific sites it is used for A FilmLA Monitor will be assigned
Louise Avenue and Rancho Street
The special conditions associated with filming on Louise Avenue and Rancho Street are summarized below: Notify affected residents at least two days before filming or set preparation is scheduled to commence Parking is allowed in limited areas because of the busy nature of the streets, and an LAPD officer must be available
Outreach in Ranch
Porter Ranch filming laws stipulate that all residents, merchants, and/or businesses that are within 500 ft of any filming activity must be notified about the proposed production at least two business days before the activities commence. These filming activities include vehicle parking, catering, substantial set preparation, and the filming itself.
To ensure compliance with this outreach requirement, FilmLA distributes Notices of Filming to folks in Porter Ranch that will be affected by production on behalf of filmmakers. This action satisfies the provision of Porter Ranch’s filming guidelines for normal production activities.
If a filmmaker intends to film outside standard conditions, they must conduct a filming survey in the filming location to obtain the consent of those that will be affected by production. These special conditions that require a filming survey include filming during late hours or for extended periods, closing streets or roads, or engaging in extended production parking.
Community Management in Ranch
The outreach requirement is only the first step toward building the right relationship with the residents and businesses in Porter Ranch. A filmmaker must take extra steps to ensure that the production has a minimal negative impact on the host community. Why? Because it determines the kind of experience the filmmaker will have during production as the hosts play a crucial role in how the project will turn out. Besides, it also affects future productions in the area. Engaging the community through one-on-one conversation or public forums are some ways of getting instant feedback to help ensure that the locals and the production team are on the same page.
Conclusion
Porter Ranch is one of the neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley with an allure for film production. Thanks to its picturesque natural locations and beautiful suburban setting, it has played host to several productions since the early 20th century. Today, filming is a popular activity in the area, and the residents are used to having production teams in town.
FilmLA coordinates the film permitting process in Porter Ranch and offers assistance to filmmakers that intend to shoot scenes within the neighborhood. With the right documentation, appropriate approvals, and required notifications and surveys, you too can enjoy what this quiet and welcoming neighborhood offers.