City Guide Filming in Sugar Land, TX
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: Determined by the City’s Convention and Visitor Services Unit.
- Film Permit Application Fee: Free.
Minimum Insurance
- General liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence of bodily injury; $500,000 for property damage; and a minimum of $2,000,000 general aggregate.
- Workers’ Compensation that complies with the statutory requirements and Employer’s Liability of at least $500,000.
- Fire Legal liability of $250,000 if fireworks will be used during production.
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Sugar Land
The glamorous city of Sugar Land in Fort Bend County, Texas, started in the 19th century as a collection of local sugar plantations that formed a company town. The city is located about 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston and was incorporated in 1959. It soon became a premier destination for tourists, entertainment buffs, sports lovers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
Film production began in Sugar Land in the 1970s, and the first movie shot here was released in 1974 – Sugarland Express. Since then, several filmmakers have visited the city to shoot numerous commercial film projects. Some of the popular projects filmed here include Powder (1995), RocketMan (1997), The Evening Star (1996), Ghosts of Sugar Land (2019), The Summoning (I) (2017), Blood Into Wine (2010), Apart (I) (2011), and Leaves of the Tree (2016).
If you are looking to spend some time in Sugar Land with your cast and crew, you are in luck, as this city is home to lots of picturesque filming locations. Find the best film production spots in Sugar Land now using Giggster, and rest assured you will have a memorable filmmaking experience.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Sugar Land?
If you will film under any of the following conditions in Sugar Land, you must obtain a permit before you start your project:
Your filming activities will impede, obstruct, or interfere with the use of the public right of way, like roads and streets.
Your production will take place on city property or at a city facility.
You will require the use of City services while production is ongoing.
You will film with special effects or pyrotechnics.
You will require parking privileges in public spaces.
On the other hand, you may not require a film permit for certain kinds of production in Sugar Land. For instance, if you will be filming for personal use and will not make use of any public or city property, you may not need to obtain a permit for your project. Furthermore, if you will film exclusively on private property in the city and will not disturb the public, you may also not require a Sugar Land film permit. To be sure you will not violate any of Sugar Land’s filming regulations, reach out to the Convention and Visitor Services for guidance before you commence production.
Permit Management in Sugar Land
Visit Sugar Land Convention & Visitor Services
The Convention and Visitor Services Department is the agency that is responsible for issuing and managing permits for special events and film projects in Sugar Land. According to the filming guidelines, a filmmaker must complete and submit a Special Events Permit application to Convention & Visitor Services no later than 45 days before the first date of filming.
Before sending the application, filmmakers are urged to first contact the Sales and Events Manager to discuss the intricate details of the planned project, as this will significantly help make the permitting process seamless. A meeting with the city’s Event Review Committee may also be requested before the permit is issued.
A decision about the application is usually made about 15 business days after the application is received. In certain cases, filmmakers may be able to request expedited processes or waivers during the application. However, the City reserves the right to approve or deny such requests.
In addition to the application form, other supporting documents required for a film permit in Sugar Land include the following:
A description of the planned production.
A site map or layout.
A traffic plan.
A security plan.
Written consent from occupants of the areas that will be affected by the planned production.
Approvals from other applicable agencies that will be involved in the production.
A certificate of insurance that complies with the city’s production insurance requirements.
A signed hold harmless agreement.
The application fee.
The filmmaker is primarily responsible for contacting other city authorities that must grant approvals or additional permits for the scheduled production in Sugar Land. Common ones include the Police and Fire Departments.
What Insurance Do I Need in Sugar Land?
If the city of Sugar Land’s Risk Manager determines that your scheduled production requires proof of liability insurance, you must comply with the minimum requirements stated below:
General liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence of bodily injury; $500,000 for property damage; and a minimum of $2,000,000 general aggregate.
Workers’ Compensation that complies with the statutory requirements and Employer’s Liability of at least $500,000.
Fire Legal liability of $250,000 if fireworks will be used during production.
Name the city of Sugar Land as an additional insured.
Provide a Waiver of Subrogation.
Sign an Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
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 Sugar Land?
Kick off your production by exploring the Sugar Land Town Square – the city’s and county’s primary entertainment hub. Here, you will find an array of sidewalk cafes, restaurants, hotels, conference venues, shopping spots, a public plaza, residential apartments, mid-rise buildings, and the City Hall. This hotspot location in the city is like no other and accommodates all kinds of film projects, regardless of the scale. Just next to Town Square is a regional shopping mall too.
If you are seeking architectural landmarks in the city, check out the Lakeview Auditorium – the oldest public building in the area, designated a Texas Historic Landmark. The Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center is another location in the city that attracts lots of tourists and filmmakers. For projects requiring a concert hall, the best place in Sugar Land is the Smart Financial Center, a facility with more than 6,000 seats.
Sugar Land is also home to public libraries, thanks to the Fort Bend Library system, which has three branches within the city. The city is served by the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD), and filmmakers are welcome to request the use of FBISD’s facilities for production purposes. Private schools within the city offer more filming options in school settings.
Sugar Land has several major thoroughfares and roads that facilitate outdoor filming. Common spots for such in the city include Interstate 69/US Highway 59, US Highway 90 Alternate, State Highway 6, State Highway 99/Grand Parkway, and Copenhaver Road. Another great place in the city is the Sugar Land Regional Airport. Another standout feature of Sugar Land is the master-planned communities within the city that are made up of lakes, country clubs, and golf courses.
Special Requirements in Sugar Land
Sugar Land City Parks
Reach out to the Park and Recreation Department (PARD) if you wish to conduct filming activities in a city park in Sugar Land. Although your application to the Convention and Visitor Services will be reviewed by PARD, you may need to take additional steps to use your desired park, like having park personnel on hand during filming and paying additional fees.
Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD)
If you wish to make use of any Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) facility for commercial film production in Sugar Land, you must put in a request online at least seven business days before the date you plan to start filming. The facility you wish to use will determine the office where your request will be routed. However, regardless of the filming location on FBISD property, you must pay a non-refundable administrative fee of $25 when you submit the request. Other requirements are as follows:
You must provide proof of insurance in the form of a certificate of liability insurance that covers not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and names the FBISD as additional insured.
Pay the estimated rental fees and other costs associated with your project no later than seven days before the start date.
Be prepared to cover the cost of the Facility Use Event Supervisor for the duration of filming ($40 per hour).
Complete and sign a Hold Harmless agreement.
Texas State Parks
Before you can shoot in any of the state parks in and around Sugar Land, you must fill out an online application. Before completing the application form, contact the park superintendent directly of the park you wish to film to understand all the details you require for your application. Endeavor to complete the application no later than 90 days before the date that filming is set to commence and ensure the form is correctly completed, as changes cannot be made after submission. Include all the necessary supporting documents with the application as well. These are other things to bear in mind:
A flat fee or a percentage of gross revenue fee may be charged for your filming activities.
There is an insurance requirement for production:
Public liability insurance of at least $500,000.
High-risk productions may require up to a $1,000,000 insurance policy.
Name Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as additional insured.
Include the name and date of the production on the insurance certificate.
Provide an emergency plan.
This can be completed online with the application or done by submitting the completed Emergency Plan document.
What Does it Cost to Film in Sugar Land?
The city of Sugar Land charges an application fee for film production, and the exact amount depends on the scope and scale of the production. Large and/or complex film productions are charged a permit fee of up to $550.50, while small productions may be exempt from paying the permit fee. In addition to the application/permit fee, the city bills filmmakers for the services provided during production. The exact amount that the City Services Fee will depend on the estimated costs that the city will incur due to the filming activity and relate to the production itself and not possible disruptions. All filmmakers are required to pay the City Services Fee no later than ten business days before the date of production. If the actual costs are lower than the amount paid by the filmmaker, the city will refund the difference within 30 days of project completion. However, if the cost is more, the filmmaker will be required to pay the difference to the city.
Additional Fees
Equipment needs specific to the shoot might have associated costs, such as specialized camera gear, lighting equipment, or props. Additionally, accommodation expenses like lodging and meals may be necessary if your crew and cast are not local to Sugar Land.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Sugar Land?
The city of Sugar Land is bordered by Meadows Place, Missouri City, and Stafford to the east, while Rosenberg, Pecan Grove, and Richmond are located west. Houston is northeast of the city, while Booth and Thompson are situated south. The municipalities north of Sugar Land are Mission Bend and Four Corners. Houston The Houston Film Commission oversees film production activities in the city of Houston, Harris County, and the greater Houston region. If you wish to film on public property within this region managed by the Houston Film Commission, submit a certificate of insurance and a completed registration form as early as possible. You will receive a registration number when the registration form is processed, and you must keep a copy of the form for the entire duration of production. Note that the registration form is not the permit to film. Additional considerations are as follows: The insurance requirement is at least $1,000,000, naming the City of Houston, c/o Houston Film Commission, as an additional insured. Hire the City of Houston police officers if you require traffic or pedestrian control and lane or street closure for your project. Have a Fire Marshal on set if you intend to use pyrotechnics, squibs, or special effects during production. Secure a sound permit if you will use excessive noise during production. A separate permit is required to film within city parks. Missouri City The Planning and Development Division in the Department of Development Services coordinates film permitting in Missouri City. Filmmakers are required to submit the Special Event Permit Application at least five business days before the date that filming is set to commence and include site plans, a damage deposit, and an insurance certificate with the application. If you wish to film on city streets or roadways, submit your permit application through the city’s Police Department. To film within city parks, apply to the Parks and Recreation Department. Richmond If you wish to film in the city of Richmond, complete the application form and send it to the Building Department for review no later than 21 days before the date of filming. Depending on the nature of your production, City departments and officials that may assess your application include the City Manager, Fire Marshal, Police Department, Fire Department, City Planner, Street Department, and Health Inspector. Supporting documents required for a permit include: A traffic control plan. A fire and safety plan. A certificate of insurance. The map of the filming location. Rosenberg If you wish to film in public spaces and on city property in Rosenberg, complete the Special Event Permit application and send it to the Code Department. For film production in city parks, complete the Park, Pavilion, and Field Public Event Request Form. These are the conditions associated with film permitting in Rosenberg: Complete the application form no later than 30 days before the day that filming will commence. Prepare to have police officers on site during filming if it is deemed necessary by the City. Contact all residents and property owners that will be affected by the production before you apply for the permit to film. Include all services requested from the City in your application and prepare to cover the costs of all personnel for the duration of the production. Indemnify and hold harmless the city from all claims and damages arising from the production. Provide an insurance policy that covers comprehensive general liability of at least $1,000,000 and lists the City of Rosenberg as an additional insured. Prepare to pay the non-refundable permit fee and security deposit for the production. Pearland The Parks and Recreation Department in the city of Pearland welcomes filmmakers to complete the Special Event Permit application for various kinds of commercial film production. Submit the application form no later than 60 days before the date of filming via email. Filmmakers must also include the application fee of $100 with the application as well as the following: The site plan for the project. A traffic control plan. The notification to the residents and businesses that will be affected by the film production activities. A description of the services you require from the City, such as crowd control, Police, security, First Aid Services, Parking, etc. A certificate of insurance that conforms to the city’s production insurance requirements and names the City of Pearland (c/o Recreation Superintendent). The insurance certificate must be received no later than 15 days before the first day of filming. An indemnification and hold harmless agreement. A signed affidavit.
Outreach in Sugar Land
As one of the requirements for film production in Sugar Land’s filming regulations, every filmmaker that intends to carry out commercial film projects must conduct outreach in the area where they intend to film. This outreach is required before filming in the city and can be done through the physical distribution of letters or mail delivery.
Additionally, certain kinds of film production (like those requiring street or road closure) require written consent from some of the residents and businesses that will be impacted by the closure. The filmmaker is expected to include written authorization as part of the supporting documents during the permit application process.
The Sales and Events Manager is available to assist filmmakers with the outreach process and provide information about what they need to do to comply with Sugar Land’s outreach requirements for film production activities.
Community Management in Sugar Land
It would be ideal if you and your production team carry out all your filming activities with as little disruption as possible throughout your time in Sugar Land. This means doing everything in your power to avoid disrupting public events, making unbearable noise, or leaving the filming location messy. You can also make sure that there is a designated member of your team to whom members of the community can talk if they have questions or suggestions about your production in the neighborhood.
Conclusion
The residents of Sugar Land know the benefits of filmmaking very well and welcome production teams to their city for various kinds of commercial film projects. Filmmakers, too, are aware of the advantages of doing business here in the city - excellent commercial areas, beautiful parks, open spaces, residential apartments, and streets that are ideal for use in a variety of productions. That is why every project filmed here in Sugar Land is mutually beneficial to the filmmaker and the host community.
If you would like to enjoy an amazing filming experience, schedule your next production in Sugar Land and take your pick of the location(s) you wish to use by visiting Giggster ahead of your arrival. Rest assured that the city's Convention and Visitor’s Services and other City departments will also make your time here worthwhile through effective cooperation.