City Guide Filming in San Gabriel, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: $624 per day
- Film Permit Application Fee: $140
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability of at least $1,000,000; $2,000,000 aggregate
- Evidence of Workers’ Compensation following the requirements of the State of California
Additional Permits
Discounts
About San Gabriel
San Gabriel is a historic city in Los Angeles County that is well-known for its Spanish roots. As one of the oldest cities in the region, it is culturally diverse and features lots of interesting sights and scenes for tourists, outdoor lovers, as well as filmmakers.
San Gabriel, located about five miles southeast of Pasadena, is popularly referred to as the birthplace of the Los Angeles region, but that’s not the only thing the city is famous for. Owing to the cultural landscape here, the city has different architectural masterpieces and locations that never cease to amaze every film cast and crew, making them always enjoy every moment of production.
Having been a hub for motion picture production since 1906, so many blockbuster movies and television shows have used the city’s grounds and settings. Some of these include E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Deadwood (2004–2006), Mission: Impossible II (2000), The Wonder Years (1988–1993), The Thorn Birds (1983), Hostage (2005), and Star Trek: Insurrection (1998).
Regardless of the kind of production you may have planned, San Gabriel has the locations and resources that will make your project a resounding success. Find the spots that suit your filming needs in San Gabriel using Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in San Gabriel?
If you plan to shoot production in San Gabriel, you may or may not need to obtain a film permit. What applies to you will depend on what San Gabriel’s filming laws say about the kind of production that you intend to shoot in the city.
Typically, you will not need to obtain a film permit if your filming activities are solely for personal or private use, such as within your family, or if you intend to use the recording in a civil proceeding or criminal investigation. You also do not need a permit when filming in an established studio or if the City’s Film Permit Coordinator considers your filming as part of activities that promote the public interest.
Student filming
student filmmakers can apply for a film permit in San Gabriel, providing certain documentation that verifies that their production is solely for student/educational purposes
Commercial filming
anyone involved in commercial filming or photography on city or state property must obtain a film permit
Permit Management in San Gabriel
Community Development Department
The Community Development Department in the City of San Gabriel manages the process of film permitting.
According to the filming regulations in the city, a Film Permit Coordinator (designated by the City Manager) is responsible for issuing film permits to filmmakers. The Film Permit Coordinator also facilitates coordination between the filmmaker and various city departments whose services will be required during the production. Despite that, it is the filmmaker that is responsible for complying with all the requirements of the city departments that will offer any kind of service while production is ongoing.
If you intend to engage in any filming activity that requires a permit in San Gabriel, it is best to apply for the permit ten working days before the date that filming or set preparation is scheduled to commence. This will allow the City staff and departments sufficient time to adequately coordinate all that will be needed for your production to take place.
Before you can be issued a film permit in San Gabriel, you must meet these minimum application filing requirements:
Complete the film application.
Sign a Hold Harmless Agreement.
Obtain a Letter of Permission to Use Property or Notarized Letter from the property owner, if filming on private property.
Provide a Notification Letter to adjacent affected properties that must be approved before distribution.
Provide a Certificate of Insurance that complies with San Gabriel’s production insurance requirements.
Provide an aerial map that shows the location of parked vehicles.
Pay the application fee(s).
When you are ready, submit your application with the supporting documents via email. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to the city’s Community Development Department.
As for the timeline for submitting film permit applications in San Gabriel, you must apply for the film permit at least two business days before the proposed filming date. If your production will involve the use of special effects or stunts, or require road closures and interference with traffic, then you must submit your film permit application at least four working days before the start date.
What Insurance Do I Need in San Gabriel?
As part of the requirements for a film permit in San Gabriel, you must provide evidence of insurance. This will be part of the documents to submit with the film permit application.
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 San Gabriel?
San Gabriel is a city with plenty of attractive private and public filming locations. The kind of spots you’ll find in the city include historic buildings, parks, shops and restaurants, residential apartments, and municipal buildings.
The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse is a historic building in the city that was established in 1927 and has served as a top production location for decades, be it in commercials, movies, or TV shows. Other attractive locations in the city include Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, The Mission District, and San Gabriel Village.
If you fancy shooting in outdoor settings, feel free to check any of the parks in the city, such as Vincent Lugo Park, Plaza Park, and Marshall Park. For indoor areas, filmmakers can take advantage of the studios and stages, themed classrooms, restaurants and bars, and vehicle garages in the city.
Special Requirements in San Gabriel
Produce unusual noise
Regulate filming activities that produce unusual noise levels like sirens, bull horns, gunfire, etc. to mitigate the effects of the noise
Require written permission
Aerial filming or aircraft landings require written permission from the City Manager and the Federal Aviation Administration before they can take place
Required for public safety
Police and/or fire personnel are required for public safety or traffic control when deemed necessary by the applicable department(s)
Parking
Parking on streets and sidewalks where parking is not permitted requires prior approval from the Film Permit Coordinator
Parking rule
Parking trucks that weigh over three tons on city streets from 7 pm to 7 am requires prior approval from the Film Permit Coordinator
What Does it Cost to Film in San Gabriel?
The process of obtaining a film permit in San Gabriel is not free. There are costs associated with the permit application, permit changes, filming, location use, services of city personnel, etc. Before a permit is issued, the permittee must pay the permit fee and minimum service use fees determined by the City Council. Note that the application fee covers up to two weeks of filming. However, it can be extended to thirty days, depending on the circumstances.
Additional Fees
In addition to these fees, a rental charge will be applied when filming at any city facility. The fees for using Police and Fire services are determined by those departments, and each filmmaker will be required to pay whatever amount is stipulated. You may contact their respective departments for fees and availability.
Any additional fees incurred during filming are payable within ten days of receiving the bill after filming is completed.
Geographical Jurisdiction of San Gabriel?
San Gabriel is one of the municipalities in the San Gabriel Valley. Rosemead and Temple City border the city to the east, while Alhambra lies west. San Marino is located directly north of the city, while Garvey and Monterey lie south.
San Marino
The City Manager’s Office coordinates the process of issuing permits to filmmakers who wish to engage in commercial production in San Marino.
Any filmmaker that intends to do business in the city must send in their permit application at least ten business days before the date that filming is scheduled to commence. Any application received in less than ten business days attracts a 20% expediting fee. Applications submitted less than five business days before the scheduled date of filming will not be accepted.
In addition to requiring a film permit for commercial filming in San Marino, a filmmaker must also obtain a business license from the City’s Planning and Building Department before filming. According to the regulations and policies that guide filmmaking in San Marino, there are four categories of film permits that can be issued to a production company - Still photography, Motion Filming Level 1, Motion Filming Level 2, and Motion Filming Level 3. The kind of permit issued will depend on the nature and scope of the production.
These are the requirements for the film permit in San Marino: The completed application form. A site plan. Proof of permission to use property, regardless of the owner. Proof of Neighborhood Notification. Certificate of Insurance: General liability of between $500,000 and $1,000,000 per occurrence, depending on the category of filming; General liability of between $1,000,000 and $21,000,000 aggregate depending on the category of filming; Errors and Omissions of between $500,000 and $1,000,000 per occurrence, depending on the category of filming; Name San Marino as additional insured and Certificate Holder. Signed Indemnification Form. Site photos. Parking plan. San Marino business license. Proof of reservation of public facilities/park (if applicable).
As for the fees that are required for filming in San Marino, the permit processing fee for motion filming is $270 per day. Filming on private property costs $500 per day, while filming on public streets costs $2,500 per day. The cost of filming in public parks and buildings is $2,000 per day. The rate for the service of a firefighter is $75 per hour, excluding an administrative surcharge. The rate for police officers is $60 per hour, excluding an administrative surcharge.
Temple City
The Community Development Department is the unit that is responsible for issuing permits to filmmakers in Temple City. The city requires all filmmakers that wish to shoot production within its boundaries to complete an application at least two weeks before the intended filming date.
In addition to the permit application, the following are also required before a film permit can be issued in Temple City: Certificate of insurance: General liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate; Waiver of subrogation; Primary/non-contributory insurance; Indemnification and hold harmless agreement. Application filing fees. An aerial map that will show the location of parked vehicles. Letter of permission to use the property. Completed film permit signature survey for property owners that will be affected by the filming activity. Notification letter to the affected residents/businesses.
Rosemead
The Community Development Department in Rosemead issues film permits to production companies and also coordinates any city services that may be required for production. To secure a permit to film in Rosemead, a filmmaker must submit a completed application form at least two working days before the date of filming and submit the following documents: A Hold Harmless Agreement. A Certificate of Insurance with a comprehensive general liability of at least $1,000,000. A letter of authorization from the owner of the property where filming is set to take place. Where applicable, a security plan, noise study, sanitation plan, and medical plan. A site plan. Approval from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Verification letter from School or Professor (for student filmmakers only).
In addition, the filmmaker is required to notify, in writing, all the residents and businesses that will be affected by the filming activity within a 300 ft radius. The notice must first be reviewed and approved by the city before it is distributed 72 hours before the proposed date of filming.
The fees associated with filming in Rosemead include the permit fee, cost for services of City staff, and a refundable bond. A breakdown of these fees is shown below: Permit fee: First day - $100. Each additional day - is $50 per day. Filming fee: During daytime - $400 per working day. During nighttime - $800 per working night/weekend/holiday. Street closure/blockage - $400 per day per location. Community Services Officer - $50 per hour. Parking Control Officer - $50 per hour.
Alhambra
The Administrative Services Department receives all film permit applications in the city of Alhambra. As a filmmaker, you are required to submit your permit application at least five business days before the date that filming is scheduled to commence. If your project will involve the use of stunts, you must apply at least six business days ahead. If you will require road closures along major thoroughfares in the city, the application timeline is ten business days before the start of filming.
The film permit will only be issued if you complete the application form and submit it via email along with the required documents below and pay the applicable fees: Parking and location plan. Encroachment permit. Written permission to use property form from property owners within 100 ft of the filming location. Approval for filming form from the property owners within 100 ft of the filming location. Proposed filming activity form to be distributed to all residents/businesses within 100 ft of the filming location at least three days before the start of filming. Temporary use permit. Pyrotechnics or Special Effects permit. Helicopter/Aircraft permit, if applicable. Proposed Park and Golf Course Use, if applicable. Insurance with a $5,000,000 liability policy that names the City as additional insured.
The filming fee schedule in Alhambra is summarized below. Note that the permit application fee is required before the film permit can be issued: Film permit application fee (non-refundable) - $79: Students - $54. Filming fee - $344 per day. No parking signs - $10 per sign. Temporary use permit - $120 per site. Parking in the City parking lot or structure - $14 per vehicle. Police Officer fee - $100 per hour (4-hour minimum). Fire Personnel fee - $100 per hour (4-hour minimum).
Outreach in San Gabriel
San Gabriel’s filming guidelines require all filmmakers that wish to do business in the city to conduct outreach in their proposed filming locations by sending out notifications to the members of the neighborhood that will be affected by the filming activities. The filmmaker must send out the notices of filming at least 48 hours before the date that filming is set to take place.
The radius of coverage of the outreach is influenced by the nature of the proposed filming activity:
If you will be filming outside at any time during production, you must send out notifications to the residents and businesses within 200 ft of the filming location.
If you will be filming in residential areas between 7 pm and 7 am, you must send out notifications to residents within 300 ft of the filming location.
If filming activities will go beyond two days, you must notify all residents and businesses within 300 ft of the filming activity.
As part of the outreach process, post all “No Parking” signs at least 72 hours before filming commences.
Community Management in San Gabriel
It is your responsibility as the filmmaker to ensure that your production activities only minimally disrupt the lives and activities of the residents and businesses in San Gabriel. By abiding by San Gabriel’s filming laws, you will already be taking a significant step towards making your production as seamless as possible. However, there’s more to do to ensure that you are in good standing with the hosts while you are in town. Participating in community forums, keeping an open line of communication, and offering voluntary compensation, if required, are ways to strengthen the bond between your team and the host community.
Conclusion
San Gabriel is a culturally and ethnically diverse city that welcomes players in the filmmaking industry all year round to do their thing in the historic and picturesque sites within the city. Ever since the first set of motion picture producers stepped foot here in the 1900s, the people have continued to welcome film cast and crew from all over the world. The city has hosted plenty of blockbuster movies and shows, and that’s not coming to an end anytime soon.
If you wish to take advantage of the locations, resources, hospitable community, etc. that San Gabriel offers, you can simply commence your film permit application by reaching out to the Community Development Department and Film Permit Coordinator. The process is seamless, and you will enjoy professional service from the city’s departments and agencies. San Gabriel awaits so look to Giggster for your next production.