City Guide Filming in Renton, WA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Application Fee: $50
Minimum Insurance
- A commercial general liability with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Renton
The city of Renton lies within King County and is considered one of the cities within the suburb of Seattle, only eleven miles southeast of downtown Seattle. It started as a coal mining town and is now well-known as an aerospace and industrial hub, thanks to the presence of Boeing and other top manufacturing companies in the city. Moreover, Renton is a beautiful sight to behold for its surrounding landscapes and natural features – mountain ranges, lakes and rivers, scenic trails, etc. All these combine to make every visit and adventure an unforgettable experience.
Since film production became widespread in Renton in the 1980s, the city has continued to attract filmmakers from all over the world. Here, filmmakers can choose to set up their gear in locations such as the shore of Lake Washington, around Cedar River, in between the Olympics and Cascades mountain ranges, within and around parks and natural areas, and in business areas, to name a few. Little wonder why the allure is strong. Head over to Giggster now and find the location that suits your filming needs in Renton.
Renton’s filmography includes Nishabdham (2020), Little Blue Pill (2010), The Assurance (2016), Lottery Road (2018), Comfort Food (2017), Sex Violence & Values: Changing Images (1986 TV Special), I Don't Believe in Ghosts (2018), Danger God (2018), and Obsession (III) (2016).
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Renton?
If you are a filmmaker looking to shoot production in Renton, the nature of your project, desired location(s), and the impact of your filming activities will determine if you need a filming permit or not. These are detailed in Renton’s filming regulations.
You need a permit for your film production in Renton if any of the following conditions will apply while you are filming:
You will shoot production in a park or a public place.
You will require the use of public services.
Your production will require you to close roads, streets, or any public right-of-way.
You will shoot on private property and your filming will have an impact on neighbors or the public.
You will make use of sound amplification during production.
You will shoot production with pyrotechnics, fire, or other special effects.
If your scheduled production does not fall under the conditions above (for example, if you are in town on vacation with family and friends and are recording your experience as you tour the city) you may not require a film permit. In any case, it is best to reach out to the city’s Special Event Committee to find out what applies to your production so that you do not end up breaking any of Renton’s filming laws.
Permit Management in Renton
Special Event Committee
The Special Event Committee in the Community Services Department of the city of Renton is the unit charged with accepting and reviewing applications for permits to shoot production. The Special Event Committee comprises representatives from various city departments, including the Fire, Police, Parks, Streets, Community Economic Development, Transportation, and Risk Assessment departments. It is recommended that filmmakers first have a pre-application consultation with the Special Event Committee before applying for the permit.
Renton’s filming guidelines require filmmakers to submit their permit applications as early as ninety days before the date of production, but no later than thirty days before the start of filming. The Special Event Committee typically reverts to filmmakers within three weeks of receiving the application and provides feedback on any additional requirements to satisfy for the application to be approved so that the permit can be issued. These are the general requirements for the permit:
Submit the permit application at least thirty days before production.
Pay the non-refundable application fee and any other required fees.
Provide a certificate of insurance that meets the production insurance requirements of the city.
Complete and sign an indemnification and hold harmless agreement.
Notify the businesses and residents that will be affected by the production.
Provide a traffic control plan and parking plan.
If there will be any deviations from these general requirements because of the nature of your production, the Special Event Committee will inform you accordingly. If you wish to cancel your application or your permit, write to the Special Event Committee at least thirty days before the production date.
What Insurance Do I Need in Renton?
If your film production in Renton requires a permit, you must also provide insurance as well. Renton’s filming regulations require a filmmaker to provide a certificate of insurance with the following:
A commercial general liability with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.
List the City of Renton as a certificate holder and additional insured on a primary and noncontributory basis.
Include the dates and name of the production that is covered by the liability insurance.
The coverage must be valid from at least twenty hours before the start of production to at least twenty fours after production is complete.
Complete an indemnification and hold harmless agreement.
The city’s Human Resources and Risk Management Division may ask for additional insurance after reviewing the details of the production. If a filmmaker is unable to obtain liability insurance, they may purchase a policy through the TULIP Program by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority. More information is available through the city’s Risk Management Department.
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 Renton?
The city of Renton has several indoor and outdoor areas that are ideal for filming. Film production hotspots in the city include the IKEA Performing Arts Center, Dutch Colonial property, Carco Theatre, Renton Municipal Airport, the city’s Community Center, Hilton Garden Inn Seattle, Henry Moses Aquatic Center, Renton Chamber of Commerce, Memorial Stadium, Cedar River Park, Boeing HQ, and Pavilion Building.
Renton’s attractions are equally great sites for filming. The Renton History Museum, for example, is in a historic firehouse built in 1942 and features exhibits such as the coal-mining and firefighting artifacts that describe the history of greater Renton. Other attractions in the city include Renton Civic Center, Jimi Hendrix Memorial Site, and Renton Library.
There are picturesque park settings, trails, recreation centers, and natural areas within and around the city of Renton that are perfect for short or long-term production. Popular ones include Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, Liberty Park Skate Park, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Black River Riparian Forest, Cedar River Trail, Honey Creek Trail, and Cedar River Park.
Special Requirements in Renton
Renton City Parks
Before you can shoot production in any of the city parks in Renton like Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and Liberty Park Skate Park, you may require an additional Special Use Permit. A user fee may be required for the permit as well, and there are special conditions of use that will guide your production in the park.
State Parks
You require a permit to shoot commercial production in any Washington State park within and around the city of Renton. Complete the film application form no later than sixty days before the date you intend to start filming and submit it to the park where you plan to shoot. There is a non-refundable $100 for each application. However, student filmmakers and educational institutions are exempt from the application fee. The general requirements are as follows:
Complete the application form.
Pay the application fee and other fees such as site location fees, personnel fees, etc.
Application fee - $100.
Park Ranger - $32 per hour.
Park Staff - $22 per hour.
Provide a certificate of insurance:
General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000.
List the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission as additional insured.
Obtain permission for drone or remote-controlled aircraft filming if it is to be used during production.
Renton School District
Reach out to the Renton School District (RSD) via phone or email if you wish to make use of any RSD facility for commercial filming purposes. You will be required to send in your application, the application fee, and any rental fee anticipated for the production via a dedicated online portal. When your application is received, it will be reviewed to determine if there are any other requirements for your production. You will get a response within five to ten business days of your application.
Insurance is required before filming commences on the RSD property. The certificate of insurance must name the Renton School District as the certificate holder and an additional insured. The insurance must cover General Liability, Auto Liability, and Excess Liability and have limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence or accident, and $2,000,000 aggregate. Here is a sample of the insurance certificate. Include a Waiver of Subrogation form too.
Kent School District
Kent School District’s facilities may be available for commercial film production when filmmakers obtain the necessary approvals and permit to shoot within the areas designated for commercial use. Applications for a film permit take about ten days to process. These are the general steps to follow:
Reach out to the school you wish to film at to check for availability on the dates of production.
Complete the form(s) required for your shoot and submit it to the school’s office manager.
Facility Use Application.
KM Turf Baseball Field.
Performing Arts Facilities.
Turf Fields Including French Field.
If your application is approved, pay the fees (utility fees, labor fees, rental fees, security fees, etc.)
Provide insurance:
General Liability of $1,000,000.
List Kent School District as Additional Insured.
List Kent School District as the Certificate Holder.
Sound Transit
Sound Transit provides bus services through Renton and permits film production on its facilities after securing all the necessary approvals]. A filmmaker must request a permit to film here at least twenty business days before the date of the film shoot. First, reach out to the representative of Sound Transit to discuss your unique production needs.
To receive the permit, you must complete and submit the filming/photography request form, provide a certificate of insurance, hold harmless agreement, and any other required permits. The filming rate is $1,500 for a minimum of 3 hours and $500 for each additional hour. Filming guidelines in effect on Sound Transit facility include:
Obtain all required releases before you commence production.
Flash photography or the use of bright lights is not allowed.
Filming is only permitted in public areas.
Do not interfere with passenger movement or safety during production.
Pay all the required fees and sign the contract before filming commences.
What Does it Cost to Film in Renton?
The cost of filming in Renton varies from project to project because some of the costs incurred are for the services provided during production. A summary of the production costs in Renton is highlighted below: The non-refundable application fee is $50. The cost of police and emergency services. The cost of traffic control. The cost of sanitation and clean-up services. The costs associated with other required permits. The permit denial fee is $250. The application fee is due when a filmmaker submits the permit application, whereas the other fees are required before the permit is issued.
Additional Fees
Besides the required permit application fees, some agencies and private property owners may collect fees for the use of their resources, equipment, or facilities for any film-related activity. You may also have to pay for the city personnel whose services are necessary for public security and safety and to help streamline the production process.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Renton?
The city of Renton is bordered by Newcastle to the north, Kent to the south, and Tukwila to the west. There is no municipality bordering Renton to the east, but instead, the area is the Urban Growth Boundary. Nearby cities and municipalities include Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah. Lake Washington is northwest of the city.
Tukwila
You require a Special Event Permit for commercial filming on private and public property in the city of Tukwila. Complete the application form online and include the following supporting documents with your application: A site map showing the layout of the film location. A copy of the production brochure, if applicable. A traffic control plan. A signed authorization from the owner of the private property where you intend to shoot. Any required permits from city agencies, like the Fire Department. All the required fees. An insurance certificate.
Kent
To produce a commercial film on private or public property in Kent, first consult the Kent Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department to discuss your production plans. After that, complete the special event permit application at least ninety days before the date of filming so that there is adequate time for the Special Event Committee in the city to review your production.
The cost of production in Kent is a combination of the fees required for processing the application, permits, police services, emergency services, traffic control, clean-up or sanitation services, etc. The application fee is required during the application process. However, all other fees must be received before the permit is issued.
The city of Kent requires insurance from all producers that wish to film within the city. The production insurance requirement is a comprehensive liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate that names the city of Kent as additional insured on a primary and noncontributory basis. The insurance must be valid from at least twenty-four hours before filming starts until at least twenty-four hours after filming ends.
Burien
The Burien Film Office coordinates filming and supports filmmakers that choose to visit the city of Burien with their cast and crew. The Burien Film Office also facilitates the permitting process so that filmmakers can have a good experience in the city.
Complete and submit the Special Event Permit Application via email forty-five days before you plan to shoot production. If your production will obstruct or block public right-of-way in the city, apply for a Right-of-Way Use Permit from the Public Works Department.
To film in any city park, apply for a Temporary Use Permit. General film permit application documents in Burien include: A description of the project. A site plan. A traffic control plan. Applicable fees and deposits, e.g., the $100 permit fee. A certificate of insurance. General liability of $2,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Auto liability of $1,000,000 per accident. Name the City of Burien as an additional insured and include endorsement pages.
Mercer Island
Commercial film production in Mercer Island requires a permit. To obtain the permit, complete and submit the Special Event Application to the city’s Rentals Team at least forty-five days before the date you wish to start filming.
The city requires the following documents and payments for a film permit: The application fee of $50. A map and site plan. A parking and transportation plan. A security plan. A Right-of-Way permit application. The notification plan for everyone that will be affected by the production. A traffic control plan. Insurance certificate: General liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Auto liability of $1,000,000 per accident. Name the City of Mercer Island as an additional insured.
Issaquah
Obtain a Special Use and Events permit to shoot production in Issaquah by completing the Special Event Permit Application. You must meet the city’s production insurance requirement as well, and sign an indemnification and hold harmless agreement.
A breakdown of the requirements is as follows: A permit fee of $300 ($150 for non-profit organizations). A site plan. A traffic control plan. A transportation/parking plan. A certificate of liability insurance. General liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Name the City of Issaquah as an additional insured. A list of the city services required.
Outreach in Renton
The filming guidelines in Renton require filmmakers to notify the folks in the vicinity of the filming location about the upcoming production. Depending on the nature of the film project, the Special Event Committee will provide additional information about when the notification should be sent out to the residents and businesses that will be impacted by the filming activities. Typically, the notification contains the following:
The name of the production company.
The title of the production.
The production dates and times.
The details of the production company’s contact person for questions, inquiries, etc.
Community Management in Renton
Renton is a great place for filmmakers to work, and the hosts are used to having film crews in town. It helps to have an open avenue of communication for the community to easily reach the filmmaker for requests and complaints. This will help to promote a positive relationship between the residents/businesses in the city and the filming crew. In addition, after each day of production or when the filming is complete, it is always a welcome gesture to clean up the filming location.
Conclusion
Renton is a popular aviation hub in Washington and also provides some of the best outdoor and recreation experiences in the region for tourists and fun lovers. If you are a filmmaker, you will also feel at home here because the city has interesting features that make every production a resounding success– the locations, people, resources, and supportive permit management agency.
You can begin the conversation with the Special Event Committee as early as ninety days before the date you plan to start filming. The Committee spearheads the effort to collaborate with other city agencies whose services you may need for your production to take place. Simply complete and submit the request within the timeline permitted by Renton’s filming laws, and you are well on your way to receiving the approvals you need for your film shoot. Renton is a picture-perfect community, and you will testify to that by the time you are done here.