City Guide Filming in Tacoma, WA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by the Special Events Office
- Film Permit Application Fee: $100 ($50 for students)
- Timing: Submit a film permit application at least sixty days prior to the date of filming
Minimum Insurance
- Comprehensive General Liability of at least $1,000,000
Additional Permits
- Police Officer $75/hour (three-hour minimum)
- Supervisor $85/hour (three-hour minimum)
- Commander $95/hour (three-hour minimum)
Discounts
About Tacoma
The first recorded production activity in the city of Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington State, took place in 1903. About two decades after that, the first movie studio in the city – H. C. Weaver Studio – was opened. The establishment of this studio in 1924 significantly promoted film production in the area, particularly because it was only bested by two other studios in Hollywood in terms of size at the time. One of the famous films produced in H. C. Weaver Studio during the late 1920s was Eyes of the Totem. This silent film was found in the New York film archives in 2014 after being lost for years.
Filming in the City of Destiny, as Tacoma is often popularly called, is such a delight because of the city’s diverse scenery, beautiful locations, waterfront areas, and classic architectural landscape. Filmmakers that have experienced what Tacoma offers regularly return with their cast and crew to this city which is located 25 miles southwest of Seattle. Besides, filming in Washington State comes with certain production incentives that also further encourage filmmakers to do business in Tacoma.
There is a long list of movies produced in Tacoma, and some of these include 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Battleground (1949), Black Circle Boys (1997), Born to be Wild (1995), Chips, the War Dog (1990), Come See the Paradise (1990), The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (2003), and Stephen King's Rose Red (2002). You will get to see the various picturesque locations available in the city when you see any of these movies. If you are a filmmaker, you should find a suitable location for your project in Tacoma using Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Tacoma?
In Tacoma, filming activities are regulated. According to Tacoma filming guidelines, film production includes activities such as television production, feature films, commercials, and still photography. Therefore, if you are a filmmaker that plans to engage in any of these, you must first secure a film permit.
If you are in town for B-roll filming, you must first contact the City’s Special Events Office to discuss your filming plans so that you will know if you will need a permit or not. Moreover, if you are here for personal filming or any other type of production (e.g., student filming), it is also advisable for you to contact the Office for information about whether you will need a permit or not so that you will not violate any Tacoma filming laws.
Filmmakers whose projects require street closures in Tacoma must contact the Special Events Unit of the Tacoma Police Department for approval before applying for a film permit. In addition, you may require additional permits from the city’s Fire Department before your film project is approved in the city. The Fire Prevention Office issues permits to filmmakers whose production activities will require the service of fire personnel or inspectors.
Permit Management in Tacoma
Tacoma’s Special Events Office
The agency in charge of film permitting in Tacoma is the City’s Special Event Office. This office is available to assist filmmakers with every aspect of the film permitting process. Furthermore, the Special Events Office aids filmmakers who need help with finding filming locations or obtaining the contact information of service providers that could help with production-related services. In addition, when a project requires the involvement of city agencies like the Police and Fire Departments, the Special Events Office connects the filmmaker with these appropriate divisions, departments, or agencies.
According to the filming regulations in Tacoma, every filmmaker that requires a permit to film in the city must submit their film permit application at least 60 days before the intended date of filming. That way, the Office will have ample time to carefully review the request and notify the residents and business owners within the vicinity of the filming location. As part of the application process, the filmmaker must also pay a stipulated non-refundable application fee.
The Special Events Office makes every effort to expeditiously process all permit applications and therefore requires filmmakers to submit all the supporting documents required for the application at once. These documents include:
-A certificate of insurance that complies with the city’s film production insurance requirements
-A completed Hold Harmless Agreement
-A detailed site plan
-A traffic control plan
After applying, the Special Events Office may ask for a meeting between the production company and all relevant city agencies that will be involved in the project to finalize all the details regarding production. Before the permit is issued, the filmmaker will also agree to comply with the City's noise abatement laws and standard pedestrian and traffic laws.
What Insurance Do I Need in Tacoma?
Before you can be issued a film permit for your production activity in the city of Tacoma, you must provide a certificate of insurance that covers comprehensive general liability of at least $1,000,000. This liability insurance must include property damage and bodily injury and name the City of Tacoma as an additional insured. Moreover, you must submit the insurance certificate to the Special Events Office at least 30 days before the start of filming, and the insurance must remain valid for the entire duration of filming.
In certain cases, the Office of Risk Management in the city may require a filmmaker to provide higher insurance coverage due to the nature of production. If this is the case for your production, the Special Events Office will notify you accordingly.
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 Tacoma?
Here in Tacoma, a filmmaker is welcome to explore fascinating sceneries and spaces, all of which are nicely colored by a small-town charm. Whether you are in search of a historic landmark for use as a backdrop or seeking a classic or modern architectural edifice, you will find what you need here in the City of Destiny.
Tacoma was home to several prolific architects like Everett Phipps Babcock and Frederick Heath, and these design giants left their mark on the city. In terms of the architectural landscape in the city, Tacoma is home to buildings from the 1800s, early 1900s, and the 1950s; Brick and Castles-style structures, as well as Colonial/Traditional styles. Urban, Contemporary, and Modern/Futuristic structures are also present in the city, giving producers lots of options to choose from.
There is a Museum District in Tacoma where you will find the Tacoma Art Museum, the Museum of Glass, and the Washington State History Museum. Historic spots in Tacoma that interest filmmakers include Engine House No. 9, Fireboat No. 1, William Ross Rust House, and Murray Morgan Bridge.
For filmmakers looking to make use of the outdoor areas in the city, the seven highways that pass through or end in Tacoma, as well as the network of roads and streets in the city also come in handy for film shoots here. The waterfront areas are also premium filming locations in Tacoma.
Special Requirements in Tacoma
Metro Parks Tacoma
Any filmmaker that plans to make use of a structure or park that is operated by Metro Parks must first obtain permission from Metro Parks for such production. The requirements that the filmmaker must abide by to obtain the Special Use Permit for any Metro Parks facility/property in Tacoma are as follows:
The permittee must submit their application at least twenty-one calendar days before the proposed date of filming. Any application submitted later than this date will attract a $15 late fee with no guarantee of consideration
The permit fee for commercial filmmakers is $250 ($150 for non-profits that provide satisfactory evidence of their status as a non-profit organization)
The permittee must pay a Damage Deposit (of between $250 and $3,500) at least fourteen calendar days before the date of filming
The permittee must provide a detailed site plan at least fourteen days before the commencement of filming
The applicant must provide a certificate of insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 liability at least fourteen days before the date of filming and name Metro Parks Tacoma as an additional insured
Depending on the scope or location of production, the applicant may require permits from the City of Tacoma, US Coast Guard, Tacoma Fire Department, or Tacoma -Pierce County Health Department. The applicant must have these permits before applying to Metro Parks Tacoma
Where additional costs are incurred during production, the filmmaker is responsible for covering all these expenses.
Sound Transit
Any filmmaker that intends to make use of Sound Transit’s facilities in Tacoma must first submit a request for commercial filming and receive approval of such request before proceeding with production. Sound Transit requires all filmmakers to submit their request at least twenty business days before the intended date of filming.
In addition to the commercial filming or photography request, the filmmaker is required to provide a Certificate of Insurance or Hold Harmless Agreement before filming. Moreover, there are associated costs with filming on Sound Transit property. Filmmakers can request additional information by sending an email to the Sound Transit Marketing Team.
Greyhound
It is possible to engage in commercial film and TV production activities on Greyhound buses in Tacoma. For this, a filmmaker must obtain permission from Greyhound Lines, Inc. by sending a request for filming via email to the marketing department. For any filming request from a production company to be considered by Greyhound, the request must be received at least one month before the planned date of filming.
Amtrak
Any filmmaker that wishes to film on Amtrak’s property in Tacoma must arrange for permission for Commercial and Special Photography. The unit that oversees the request for filming approval is the Real Estate Department. According to Amtrak’s policies, Commercial and Special Photography also includes film, TV, and commercial ad production.
What Does it Cost to Film in Tacoma?
There are different costs associated with filming in the city of Tacoma. If you are a commercial filmmaker, you will be charged $100 for the film permit application. For students and B-roll filmmakers, the film permit application fee is reduced to $50. Students must prove their active studentship status to be considered for this reduced application fee. Every applicant is required to pay the application fee before they are issued the permit.
Additional Fees
You will need to pay additional fees that will cover the cost of additional services if your production requires them. These may include police services, sanitation services, and additional permits such as barricades and street occupancy, etc. For instance, the rates for Police services are presented below:
The city office managing film permits in Tacoma understands that film production has short lead times. Therefore, they make every effort to expedite the permitting process. However, filmmakers should ensure that all necessary information is complete before submitting their application.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Tacoma?
Geographical Jurisdiction of Tacoma Tacoma sits on the southern end of Commencement Bay and is surrounded by several small cities and towns such as Lakewood, Fife, Puyallup, and Federal Way. Parkland lies south of Tacoma, while Fircrest and Waller are located west and east respectively. The Puyallup River flows through the city from Commencement Bay to Puyallup in the southeast.
Seattle
The Office of Film and Music manages the film permitting process in Seattle. Any filmmaker that wants to engage in film production in Seattle must apply for a permit at least three to five business days before the date of filming. For productions that will involve the use of a drone, the permit application must be submitted at least ten business days before the start of filming. Film permit applications are submitted online using Apply4.
The film permits issued by the Office of Film and Music cover filming on city-owned property and buildings like city parks, sidewalks, and streets. Additional permits may be required for filming in other locations in the city. If you are filming on private property in the city, you do not require a permit unless your activities will require parking in public spaces, use of generators, filming outside regular business hours, or the use of stunts or other special effects.
As part of the requirements for filming in Seattle, a filmmaker must notify the community members within the immediate vicinity of filming. Filming costs $25 per day, while parking for production vehicles is $15 per metered space per day. In addition, a filmmaker may be required to pay a refundable security deposit of $500 or $1,000 depending on the size of the production.
In terms of insurance, some productions do not require insurance while others do. If your production activity entails all the following, you will not require insurance: You have less than six cast and crew members Your production budget is less than $10,000 You have only one camera Your filming will not affect public parking nor require traffic control You will not film inside a City facility You will not set up lights, electrical generators, wires, or cables for production You will not block off sidewalks or pedestrian traffic
On the other hand, if you will require insurance for your project, you must provide a certificate of insurance with the following minimums and name the City of Seattle as an additional insured: Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 Auto Liability of $1,000,000 If the production will involve the use of pyrotechnics or explosives, the limit of Commercial General Liability is $2,000,000.
Washington State Parks
Any kind of commercial and educational filming in a Washington State Park requires a permit. Every filmmaker that intends to engage in any of these filming activities must submit their permit application at least sixty days before the planned film shoot date. This will allow enough time for the application to be reviewed and for all necessary coordination with external agencies. The application fee is $100 for commercial filming, while the educational filming permit application is free.
If you wish to film in any Washington State Park, you will be asked to provide a bond or insurance. The details of the bond or insurance requirements may vary on a case-by-case basis, therefore every filmmaker will be informed of what the minimum requirement for their project is. Production activities that require additional services attract additional fees as well. Such fees are provided in the Fee Schedule. Filmmakers that wish to make use of drones for filming may be subject to additional requirements.
Olympia
Film permitting and some other associated services in the city of Olympia are managed by the Thurston County Film Commission. Therefore, any filmmaker who wishes to engage in film production in the city can count on the Film Commission for assistance with location scouting, permit processing, and finding resources that will aid production activities in the city and county.
Outreach in Tacoma
Both the Tacoma Special Events Office and the filmmaker have roles to play when it comes to conducting outreach for planned film production in the city. While the Special Events Office notifies the public about the activities that will require street closure or projects that will have some other significant impact on the neighborhood, the filmmaker notifies the businesses and residents within a specified radius of the filming location about the details of the film project. The Special Events Office determines how wide the radius of notification will be on a case-by-case basis, as this depends on the scope of production and how much it will impact the surrounding properties.
Community Management in Tacoma
Production companies are to ensure that every member of the community where filming is ongoing is only minimally affected or disturbed by the production activities. Where this disturbance is inevitable, the filmmaker should be open to listening to feedback from the hosts and provide, if required, compensation for affected members if such is acceptable. Moreover, connecting with the host community via public forums and meetings helps to foster a good relationship with the residents of the neighborhood.
Conclusion
The city of Tacoma welcomes filmmakers to shoot scenes for films, TV shows, commercials, student projects, and other kinds of production. The city is home to buildings with diverse architectural styles, waterfront areas, highways, and bridges, as well as beautiful spaces that promote production activities. Moreover, filmmakers have been doing business here since the 1900s, so the locals certainly know how to treat cast and crew whenever they are in town.
The city’s Special Events Office oversees the film permit process and provides additional services to filmmakers besides issuing permits. To obtain a permit to film in Tacoma, a filmmaker must apply at least sixty days before the filming date, provide supporting documentation such as a certificate of insurance and site plan, and obtain approval from any city agency whose services will be required during filming. Thereafter, all that’s left is to have fun while filming in the city.