City Guide Filming in St. George, UT
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee (Special Events Permit Fee): $75-$150 per day
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1 million
- Worker’s Compensation: As per state requirements
- Automobile Liability: $1 million for “owned,” “non-owned,” or “hired”
- Aviation Insurance Coverage: $5 million
- UAS/Drone Insurance: $2 million
- Product Liability Insurance: $1 million
- Liquor Liability Insurance: $1 million
Additional Permits
- Police & Firefighter Monitoring: Organized by the Salt Lake City Special Events Office
Discounts
- Filming Incentives In Utah: Up to 25% cash rebate/tax credit for expenses over $500,000
About St. George
St. George is located in the Washington County of Utah and is also the county seat of the same. Running adjacent to the Pine Valley Mountains and situated close to the meeting point of three unique and iconic ecoregions of the area — the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert, the city offers a unique blend of climatic and geographical features. In general, it has a warm climate, comparable to that of Las Vegas, but it can get quite chilly during the winters. St. George is the seventh biggest city, in terms of population, in all of Utah, and its history goes back to 1861. It was first settled to become a hub for cotton production, which never came to fruition, thus its older name "Dixie" was dropped and the city took another route for development. Today, it is a renowned recreational town with plenty of outdoor recreation venues, such as nearby state parks, the Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park.
And as far as filming is concerned, the city has shown itself numerous times on the Hollywood screen with titles like Alexander the Great, Seven Ways from Sundown, Gunpoint, The Conqueror, The Christmas Cabin, High School Musical 2, Romancing the Stone, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Wizard, The Car, The Electric Horseman, The King and Four Queens, The Appaloosa, On Our Own, and Dead Trigger. However, before you get all set to film in the city, let’s review the filming guidelines in St. George to give you a quick sense of what to expect. Also, if you’re worried about finding the best filming venues in the area for your project, don’t be — Giggster has got you covered. We’ll list our top picks for filming venues in St. George and beyond, help you select the ones that work best with your script’s theme, and offer complete payment protection throughout!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in St. George?
If a film production crew is either using public property for their filming efforts or requires assistance from local officials, then a general filming permit is a must. Filming permits are needed for all productions operating on a large scale. However, solo video-makers or YouTubers may be exempt from this requirement in most cases. Also, if you're filming on private property and don't require any assistance from the local departments, then you only need written permission from the property owner (and may also have to sign an agreement); no permit is needed from the city government. As per the filming guidelines in St. George, you may also have to acquire additional permits and permissions, such as:
Pyrotechnics Permit –
this permit is needed if you want to use fireworks, gunfire, explosions, and similar special effects in your filming, and you’ll have to reach out to the local fire department in this regard.
Animal Control Permit –
this permit is needed if you wish to use animals like horses, cats, dogs, and so on in your film permit (if there is a threat of bodily injury or property damage); it is issued by the local animal control department.
Aircraft Usage Permit –
the local aviation department will issue this permit if your film involves aircraft and helicopters and you submit the necessary insurance documents.
Drone Filming Permit –
this permit is needed if the film production plans on using camera drones and UAS in the filming efforts; additional insurance requirements also apply.
Student/Non-Commercial Filming Permit –
student filmmakers and non-commercial film productions, after verification of their status, will be given general film permits for discounted rates.
Permit Management in St. George
St. George Special Events Office
To get general filming permits in St. George, you’ll have to reach out to the St. George Special Events Office which is located at 175 East 200 North, St. George, UT 84770, USA. Simply download the form, fill out the details, and then submit it to the office – a sample insurance form is also provided for your reference. You can also reach out to them online and submit your film permit issuance application to your special events agent (the office will assign one for your case) and share all the associated details accurately. The permit costs are applied on a per-day-basis, and you might have to pay more if the size of your film production crew is bigger. You should submit the permit application at least 45 days in advance, but the earlier you submit your request, the better. If you need your permit urgently, be sure to reach out to the special events office and file your request for the same. However, do keep in mind that usually, all permit applications submitted less than 45 days in advance are usually rejected. After successful permit application submission and the fulfillment of all requirements thereafter (such as notification to the residents, special requirements for the venue, etc.), you can begin filming as per schedule. Lastly, if you need any assistance from the local police and fire departments, you can count on the special events office for liaison with the concerned departments.
What Insurance Do I Need in St. George?
All film productions, no matter where they’re filming, need to be insured to be able to compensate anyone affected in the case of an accident. For instance, even the slightest miscalculation or equipment flaw can lead to disastrous consequences. But injuries can happen in less dramatic ways, such as muscle pulls, strains, slip-and-falls, and automobile rear-ending — as long as it had something to do with your film production efforts, you’ll be responsible for reimbursing the victims. Thus, the city requires you to carry enough insurance coverage. However, there are no exact production insurance requirements in St. George. Instead, the requirements are different in all cases, depending on the level of risk associated with the film project.
However, we have shared the baseline estimates as follows:
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 St. George?
St. George houses numerous indoor and outdoor venues available even on short notice for filming and more. Venues like the Sound Stage Studio are purpose-built spaces, fully equipped and thoroughly lit with easy Freeway access. The same is true for the Creative Studio Space and the High-Quality Recording Studio, which also double as audio recording and videography facilities. But if you’re looking for a homely environment, something more natural and relatable, then the Modern Mapleton Mortgage Commercial Home might be what you’re looking for.
Moving out in the open, we have the Exciting Covered Patio, which, despite its top canopy, delivers the perfect outdoor feeling and is airy. The Refreshingly Bright Rooftop Patio Venue is another premium filming venue in the open. The same goes for Outdoor Space East Side Alley, which is simple but gorgeously set up, making it somewhat fancy and perfect for filming and still photography. The Classic World Pub Bar & Rooftop Patio also delivers the same appeal and feeling — outdoor pleasures mixed with indoor goodness. But for more formal settings, you can try the Light-filled Workspace or the Flexible Office Space Venue, which can be rented for film production.
Other premium filming locations include the Edgy Contemporary Filming Venue, which offers breathtaking mountain views. The Refreshingly Bright Rooftop Patio Venue is another impressive location available for rent that provides the perfect ambiance and beautiful views of the cityscape, and the same also goes for the Multi-Use Event Venue and Indoor Bar. Unlike the venues discussed so far, the Modern Victorian Residency in the heart of the city, the Traditional Yurt with Mongolian Touch, and the Rustic Log Cabin all offer unique ambiances and themes. Giggster will help you pick the best venues for your project while offering total payment protection.
Special Requirements in St. George
Filming At The Washington County School District
If you wish to film within the premises of the Washington County School District, you can seek conditional approval from the board of directors – this is the protocol:
Reach out to the school’s board of directors
Submit your application to film on the premises of the school district
Discuss the filming schedule and the anticipated filming activities
Submit the insurance documentation for $1 million in general liability
After approval, get a permit from the city, and then start filming as per the schedule
Filming At Neighborhood Parks
The city hosts 20 neighborhood parks and paved urban trails stretching for miles; some prominent examples include Hidden Valley Park, Thunder Junction All Abilities Park, and Cottonwood Cove Park. If you need exclusive access to the said parks, you’ll have to reach out to the parks and recreation department, and you may have to hire a professional from the department for production monitoring.
Filming At The Snow Canyon State Park
If you’re planning to film at the nearby Snow Canyon State Park, you’ll have to:
Reach out to the state park’s management
Discuss the availability of the state park’s premises for the time you wish to film there
Get approval from the park’s managed, as per their terms
You may have to hire at least one production monitor from the park’s staff
All state park rules and fees apply as usual
Requirements For Utah Film Commission Filming Incentives
The Utah Film Commission offers special filmmaker incentives to any production that spends at least $500,000 on their project within the state. If that's you, you can claim as much as 25% of any taxes paid as credit.
Filming With Camera Drones
If you wish to use camera drones for your filming project, be sure never to violate anyone’s personal space or sense of privacy, comply with all FAA regulations, and get the required UAS permit before you get started.
What Does it Cost to Film in St. George?
Apart from the expenses associated with filming and rental charges for filming venues, some other fees and dues are payable to both the special events office and the local departments for their liaison, per the filming regulations in St. George. These fees are all payable to the St. George Special Events Office — the fees charged by the special events office itself are stated in advance, whereas the dues charged by the local departments are not fixed but instead vary from case to case — the special events office will get a quote from the concerned departments and then send you an invoice for the expected expenses. The charges payable to the special events office include:
Additional Fees
The local departments will also charge you for their services, either hourly, or as per quote:
You shouldn’t frown about paying these fees as you’ll also get great value in return, allowing you to film without worry. Plus, the tax credit incentives from the Utah Film Commission will also help you cover some of these costs if you qualify for the returns. Remember that evading the aforementioned fees is illegal and can shut down production.
Geographical Jurisdiction of St. George?
The filming laws in St. George that we’ve discussed so far only apply to the 64.9 square mile span of the city, so it’s useful to understand the city’s extent and its boundaries. St. George sits close to the convergence of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin; the Mojave Desert is also close by. The rivers Santa Clara and Virgin cut through the valley that houses the city and converge near the center of the city. As far as the boundaries of the city are concerned, there is no room for confusion — to the west, the boundary is marked by the Beaver Dam Mountains/Utah Hills; the Pine Valley Mountains and the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area mark the northern boundary; the Zion National Park and the Colorado Plateau occupy the eastern boundary; and finally, the southern boundary is marked by the Arizona Strip.
Outreach in St. George
The St. George filming laws clearly state that all filmmakers must inform nearby residents and business owners about their filming schedule. If you plan on filming in a public space, all the affected residents must be forewarned of any disturbances from your activities. You should send the notification at least two business days in advance — make sure you include your contact information, details of the filming schedule, details regarding any road closure, and so on on the notification letter. Also, share a copy with the special events office to get approval for the notification, and after getting the go-ahead, you can post the letters to all the affected residents and business owners.
Community Management in St. George
Utah, overall, is a friendly state, and the people in St. George are no different — we’ve already seen that the filming regulations in St. George are as relaxed as you’d want them to be. The friendly local community is the bonus that sweetens the whole deal. You won’t have to engage with the locals one-on-one for the most part since you’re only required to send notification letters to the affected residents (and that too only when you’re filming in public or if your filming activity affects the residents in any way). However, you might have to conduct a resident survey if your filming activities affect the residents excessively — for instance if you wish to film in the same neighborhood for more than three consecutive days or to film late at night.
Conclusion
St. George, as we have seen, is a premiere filming city with easy regulations — you will not have to worry about straying away from the filming guidelines in St. George since they are simple to follow. The city houses a whole host of iconic places of interest, such as the Brigham Young Winter Home and Office, Dixie Center, St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site, Jacob Hamblin House, St. George Children's Museum, Burns Arena, and the St. George Utah Temple. We have also seen that you can rent purpose-built filming studios, office building interiors, residential spaces, and outdoor venues in the city — you can even get spaces that suit your theme specifically or something more general and relatable. On top of this, the local authorities will cooperate with you to ensure the best results for your efforts. The special events office will liaise with the local fire and police departments — you’ll have to pay the officers by the hour for their services. With filming location options, an impressive cityscape, and a cooperative local community, St. George offers all you need for your next big project.
The best part is that you will not have to scout for the best locations in the city, nearby, and elsewhere because Giggster offers the most premium listings online with accurate information, and you can pick whatever you find the best without having to worry about a thing — Giggster offers complete payment protection throughout to users!