City Guide Filming in Stockton, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee: Free
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 Stockton & San Joaquin Film Commission
Discounts
- California Film Commission filming incentives:
- Star Program
- Film California First Incentive
About Stockton
Stockton, founded originally in 1849, was the first city in California to forego a name of Spanish or indigenous origin — the city was named after a prominent US Navy commander from the Mexican-American War: Robert F. Stockton. Today, Stockton is the 11th biggest metropolitan center in California; the city sits in San Joaquin County, more precisely in the northern San Joaquin Valley and by the banks of the San Joaquin River, and it also houses the county seat for its county.
Taking the I-5 S, you can travel from Stockton to Hollywood in around six hours. And speaking of Hollywood, many production teams working on big-screen projects have chosen the city as their filming destination. Titles like Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Dirty Harry, Big Stan, The Big Country, George of the Jungle, The Conversation, Bedazzled, Just Like Heaven, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, The Game, Inventing the Abbotts, Flubber, and The Sure Thing are associated with the city.
Now, you’re probably excited about working on your next project here, but before you get started on that road, why not take minutes to get a brief overview of the filming guidelines in Stockton? The city hosts many vibrant and versatile filming venues, but you don’t have to roam around to find the places that work best with your script. Let Giggster help you find the best filming venues in Stockton and nearby areas!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Stockton?
Getting a filming permit is necessary for film productions operating in public or seeking cooperation from the local departments for your production efforts. The only exception is when production teams operate exclusively in private premises and do not demand access to public property for parking, filming, etc. In such cases, only written permission from the property owner is needed (and you'll have to agree with any restrictions to use that they may have set — such as no adult filming, no smoking, no pets, etc.) As per the filming guidelines in Stockton, you may also have to acquire additional permits if the need arises, such as:
Pyrotechnics Permit – this permit is needed when any fire-based special effects (explosions, gunfire, canon fire, etc.) are to be used.
Animal Control Permit – this permit is needed when any animals that may cause bodily injury or property damage to others are to be used.
Aircraft Usage Permit – this permit is needed when airplanes or helicopters are to be used in film production activities or featured in the movie itself.
Drone Filming Permit is needed when a UAS or drone is needed for filming some of the scenes in public or all of the project.
Pyrotechnics Permit –
this permit is needed when any fire-based special effects (explosions, gunfire, canon fire, etc.) are to be used.
Animal Control Permit –
this permit is needed when any animals that may cause bodily injury or property damage to others are to be used.
Aircraft Usage Permit –
this permit is needed when airplanes or helicopters are to be used in film production activities or featured in the movie itself.
Drone Filming Permit –
this permit is needed when a UAS or a drone is needed for filming some of the scenes in public or all of the project.
Permit Management in Stockton
Stockton & San Joaquin Film Commission
The Stockton & San Joaquin Film Commission primarily issues filming permits in Stockton and nearby areas under the commission’s jurisdiction. All permits issued by the film commission are free! Yes, you heard that right, you don’t have to pay for the permits — talk about film-friendly policies.
This free permit situation is not restricted to the city of Stockton but instead applies to all of San Joaquin County. Contact the film office at 425 N El Dorado St, Stockton, CA 95202, or call (209) 938-1555. Ask for a permit application, fill it out, attach the required documents, and submit it to the film commission at least a week in advance. After a meticulous review, the Stockton & San Joaquin Film Commission will issue the permit if all the requirements are met. Plus, you can also get great visuals of the city from the online photo library for Stockton, courtesy of the city government, allowing you to make informed decisions when picking filming venues.
Other than the local film commission, you should reach out to the state-level California Film Commission, which offers free filming permits but for state-owned locations. Also, you won’t have to pay any rent when filming in any state-owned property in California (a state park, highway, state-owned building, etc.). You only need permits from the CFC when you’re looking to film on state-owned premises in California, but other than that, the CFC also offers assistance at various levels.
For instance, you can count on them to assist you in your production efforts, help you find the best local talent, provide security assistance for the production set (by liaising with any concerned state-level agency/department), and so on. You can log onto their website to access a heap of resources to help you plan your next move effectively.
Lastly, and most importantly, the CFC offers two incentive programs to filmmakers working in California — the Star Program and the Film California First Program. These incentives provide waivers for on-site rentals, partial refunds on film-related expenses, and tax rebates to film productions.
What Insurance Do I Need in Stockton?
When filming in Stockton, you’ll be required by the city to acquire insurance coverage according to the size (and scope) of the production activities and the level of risk associated with your planned filming activities. The production insurance requirements in Stockton are variable, but some basic requirements are listed 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 Stockton?
The Beautifully Renovated Multi-Use Creative Space offers a perfect office or business space vibe but can be taken in any thematic setup depending on your project's exact requirements. If you're looking for one spacious venue that fits all types of indoor themes (with a couple of props and tweaks), then this one is it. The venue is fully air-conditioned and well-lit, offers WiFi connectivity, and has a parking space to accommodate 50 vehicles at once! The interior is even more impressive, with a high ceiling, white walls, whitewash flooring, wooden doors, windows with a panoramic city view, and an assortment of equipment you’ll find of much use. The only notable restriction with this venue is a strict no-smoking policy, but if that’s no bother to you, the experience will be rewarding.
Another top-tier filming venue on our prime list is The Metro Downtown Event Space, which is once again an open space with a versatile setup, making it perfect for several themes. You’ll be greeted by a huge interior, beautiful hardwood flooring, large windows with impressive displays of breathtaking beauty, and two bathrooms. You’ll also find the place to be lit perfectly. The contrast among the background colors and décor elements is also strikingly clear, the blend of shades and colors is magnificent, and to top it all off, you won’t have to worry about internet connectivity either while working on the project – free access to WiFi is also included in the package. Other equally impressive options in the same line include the Valley Studio with lights, backgrounds & more, the Christmas Holiday Set, Daylight Photo Studio, the Large Minimalist Warm Tone Studio, the White Natural Light Studio, and the Huge Cyclorama in Daylight Warehouse Studio among others.
You can also bring the best out of your project with outdoor event spaces for rent, restaurants, bars, rooftop venues, patios, and other such filming venues dotted all over town. One thing is for sure; you can get venues per your specific needs and thematic requirements if you scroll just a bit through our listings on Giggster — we guarantee you’ll find top-tier options of every kind.
Special Requirements in Stockton
Filming In Local School Districts
If you’re planning to film in one of the many school districts in the city, such as the Stockton Unified School District, Lincoln Unified School District, Stockton Collegiate International School District, and Stockton Unified Early College Academy, you’ll have to discuss your proposal with the school board. Here is a brief rundown of the process:
Present your filming proposal to the school management
Discuss your schedule and the availability of the school (and adjust accordingly if needed)
Debrief the school board about your filming activities and make sure they have no objections
Ask them about any limitations the school management may want to place (such as no pyrotechnics, no smoking, no animals, etc.)
Discuss the fees/rent for using the school premises
Arrange for general liability coverage (amounting to $1 million) and worker’s compensation coverage
Get written permission from the school management
Start filming as per the agreed-upon schedule and following the terms and conditions agreed upon during the discussion
Filming In Neighborhood Parks
If you wish to film in neighborhood parks, such as Stribley Community Park, Moss Garden Community Park, Parma Sister City Park, and Williams Brotherhood Park, you must get in touch with the local parks and recreation department. Getting access to such parks is no big deal – you can just request so in your permit application. However, if you need exclusive rights of use for some time, it's best to discuss your proposal with the parks department to see if that would be possible. You must also hire a staff member from the department to monitor the filming activities.
Filming In Nearby State Parks
Caswell Memorial State Park, Franks Tract State Recreation Area, Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area, Brannan Island State Recreation Area, and other state-owned nature preserves and parks are managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. When looking to film in one of the state parks in California, you’ll need a permit from the California Film Commission and submit your application to the park management for a thorough review. All the usual park fees plus any fees applicable to film productions looking to film in the state park will also apply.
Filming In The San Joaquin River
If you’re planning to take a boat or kayak down the San Joaquin River and film some parts of your film there, you’ll first need to acquire watercraft liability coverage of $1 million at least and make adequate safety arrangements beforehand.
Filming With Camera Drones In Public
Camera drones can just as easily be used for spying or intruding on people's private space as they can be for regular use as filming equipment. You must ensure that you don’t intrude on anyone’s private space or use the drone irresponsibly in any other way. If you follow the FAA regulations for the use of drones, get your camera drone usage permit (after submitting $2 million in liability coverage), and avoid flying the drone in restricted areas (ask the city government), you’ll be fine.
Noise Regulations To Follow When Filming
According to ordinance number 111A of the city of Stockton, no gathering, including a film production crew, may produce noise or disturbance that may be audible 50 feet away or more, or disturb the calm and serenity of the atmosphere between 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. This noise restriction is enforced strictly, so be sure to avoid any noisy activities in these hours and otherwise too.
Filming Beyond The Regular Hours
Usually, you can work on your film project Monday to Friday, between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. But if you wish to film beyond these regular hours, you must first conduct a resident survey, concluding with an overwhelming (at least 80%) positive response, and then submit an application for the extension of the filming hours.
What Does it Cost to Film in Stockton?
You need to pay some fees to the local departments to be able to film in public and get assistance as and when needed. Other departments can ask for payment in return for their services, as per the filming regulations in Stockton, such as:
Additional Fees
The Stockton & San Joaquin Film Commission does not charge anything for issuing a filming permit. The same also goes for the California Film Commission.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Stockton?
Stockton is part of San Joaquin County, located in the San Joaquin Valley, and spreads over 64.8 square miles of land to which the filming laws in Stockton are applicable. State Route 99 and Interstate 5 cut through the city, and neighboring territories include Morada, Garden Acres, and Kennedy to the east, French Camp to the south, Gillis and Holt to the west, and Armstrong to the north.
Outreach in Stockton
The Stockton filming laws only require you to notify the local public and affected business owners of the upcoming filming activities scheduled in the area. Your notification letters will first be read and approved by the Stockton & San Joaquin Film Commission staff, and you must post them to all the affected residents, ensuring they receive them at least two business days in advance. As per the film commission's guidelines, mention your contact information and assorted details in the letter (ask for a sample first).
Community Management in Stockton
Overall, the community in Stockton is highly cooperative, and you’ll find pleasant and open-hearted people. The easy filming regulations in Stockton, with cooperative local departments, will also make all the difference. In Stockton, there are strict noise regulations, and the people also expect others to respect their privacy — follow your better judgment (and obey the local rules).
Conclusion
We hope that you found the filming guidelines in Stockton to be easily doable and were pleasantly surprised by the splendid variety of filming venues in town.
Stockton's history is tied up with the California Gold Rush, and it served as a major trade center for gold miners and facilitated regional transportation. The city has been home to the oldest Californian university, the University of the Pacific (UOP), since 1923. Also, the city has been repeatedly declared an All-America City, most recently in 2017.
This glory is also reflected in the many iconic film titles featuring the city, especially the three entries from the Indiana Jones series, which have gone down as all-time classics. Offering filming permits for free and assistance at both local and state levels is Stockton's and California's way of welcoming filmmakers to do their magic here. Film budgets are not like they used to be a couple of decades back, so you’ll feel all the more welcome with financial incentives like the star program and the film California First incentive by the CFC.
With breathtaking cityscape displays, premium filming venues available for rent, and exquisite landmarks in town, you'll find Stockton the best filming venue for your project in the San Joaquin Valley area.
Plus, if you need to pick the best and the finest filming venues in town, feel free to try out Giggster!