Tracy

About Tracy

If you, too, are mesmerized by the natural charm and beauty of California’s San Joaquin County, then its second-biggest city, Tracy, is the perfect filming destination for your next big project. Singer and songwriter Keyshia Cole, soccer player Troy Dayak, NFL player Nick Eddy, rapper MC Hammer, singer Rod Lauren, and Jacksonville Jaguars player Matt Overton all have one thing in common – you’ve guessed it: Tracy. The city has also had somewhat of an affair with fires – no worries for you, though. It’s all history now. Historic landmarks like Tracy City Hall and Tracy Inn were both destroyed by fires (at two different instances) almost a century ago and had to be reconstructed. With the Tracy Inn, there were no blueprints either, but the reconstructed inn was still made to look exactly like the original.

The city’s iconic visuals have not eluded big-screen Hollywood productions. Titles like A Nightmare on Elm Street (the original classic, not the remake version), Grease, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Grosse Pointe Blank, Space Jam, The Candidate, Fast Forward, Bachelor Party, Pretty in Pink, Rebel Without a Cause, Like Father Like Son, Dirty Mary Crazy Larry, The Loneliest Runner, and Slaughterhouse Rock have their origins tied with the city. The same is also true for many episodes of MythBusters, an iconic science show that debunks commonly held beliefs and myths via the scientific method.

Film productions have been able to put together some of their best work here, just an hour away from San Jose, and the same could be true for whatever you’ve got planned. If you’re aching to get on the road to the city and start working on your film there, let’s take a brief look at the filming guidelines in Tracy first.

Plus, Giggster can help you find the best filming destinations in Tracy, nearby, and elsewhere – just scroll through our listing pages and choose your favorite options with just a couple of clicks.

Do I Need a Filming Permit in Tracy?

Yes – the filming guidelines in Tracy are crystal clear on this: if you’re planning to film in public or need someone from a public department to assist you with your film production efforts, such as offering traffic control services or doing a fire safety check, then you must first get a permit to film. Permits are generally only needed when film productions are operating in public if their activities can affect the general public with things like street closures or noise, if they're using public property (even if they're not filming on one, such as using public parking), or if they need help from local departments.

Permit Management in Tracy

Tracy Development Services Department

The Tracy Development Services Department issues filming permits in Tracy via a four-step protocol. You can get the permit application form on the city’s website, download it, fill in all the details, attach any documents related to your temporary use of city property (especially the insurance documents), and then submit your application alongside the fee for the issuance of a temporary usage permit. You can do this either in person to the Tracy Development Services Department staff or via email at PlanningAdmin@CityofTracy.org.

Once you submit your application, there are three more steps – a review from all the concerned departments of the city, a possible call for a response from the city departments (for further clarification on some matters, if needed), and then approval. Once you get your permit, you can also ask local departments (such as the police and the fire safety departments) to assist you in your endeavors.

Also, since you’ll be filming in California, we have to mention the California Film Commission. The CFC issues filming permits only for state-owned properties like state parks, highways, and state buildings, but other than this, you can also reach out to them for any production-related assistance throughout California.

They can connect you with all the concerned departments, provide technical assistance, and even help you get your permit from the local authorities. And what's more? You can also benefit from their film production incentives! The Film California First and Star Program are both incentives designed to attract more film productions to the state with refunds on certain film-related expenses, waivers on site fees, reduced site fees where waivers are not applicable, tax refunds, and lots more. You can even check out their website for online resources and quotes for the service fees of any state-level departments involved in your film production activity.

What Insurance Do I Need in Tracy?

Understanding Tracy's production insurance requirements can be tricky for first-timers because even though there are some clearly stated minimum requirements, the city can ask you to get additional insurance coverage if they deem so necessary. So, why is that? Well, the entire purpose of getting insurance is to financially secure yourself against any liability claims in the event of an accident. The higher the chance of such an accident and the level of devastation that may result from it, the more likely it will be for the city to ask you to arrange for higher insurance coverage. Here are the baseline requirements to get a Tracy film permit:

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 Tracy?

The filming laws in Tracy are only half of the picture – the stuff you need to do. But what about the stuff you get in return? Tracy is blessed with an impressive cityscape dotted with iconic landmarks and tourist destinations and some recreational spots nearby. Some of the most frequently visited spaces include the Grand Theatre for the Performing Arts, Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area, Tracy Historical Museum, and Windmill Ridge Winery. But there’s more than this to the city.

If you’re looking for privately owned premises where you get all the equipment you need, plus a fully customizable interior flooded with lights and colors, then the Pre-Lit Green Screen Studio will be perfect for you – you can even add CGI elements to your film project here. The Spacious Loft-Style Natural Lighting Photo Studio is perfect for a more natural look. Similarly, the Breathtaking Beauty Spa & Infrared Sauna Bungalow delivers a sense of calmness that is unparalleled by most indoor and outdoor venues. You can also go for someplace less luxurious but still notice-worthy, such as the Modern Open Floor Plan Retail Shop with Displays.

Residential spaces for rent are also popular among film production teams operating in the city. Prime examples include the Serenity House and the Bungalow & Terrace venue, both of these are fully furnished and gorgeous properties with ample lighting and perfectly contrasting colors. You also have options like outdoor venues, gardens, patios, restaurants, and bars. Giggster lists some of the most amazing filming venues in the area and beyond, be sure to check out our listings and take your pick based on your preferences.

Special Requirements in Tracy

Filming In Local School Districts

If you’re planning to film in local schools such as Tracy High School, Jefferson School, Lammersville Elementary School, or North Elementary School, you’ll have to agree upon the terms and conditions with the school board/management directly.

Here’s how that will work:

Contact the school management and arrange for a physical meeting.

Schedule the meeting at least a month (or even earlier) before you plan on starting filming.

Discuss your project’s overall theme and the outlook of scheduled filming activities.

Discuss the availability of the school premises for your filming project (and adjust your schedule accordingly).

Discuss any fees that the school may charge.

Get insured for general liability ($1 million minimum) and workers’ compensation.

After approval, you can start filming as per the agreed-upon terms and conditions.

Filming In Neighborhood Parks

The local Parks and Recreation Department manages neighborhood parks in Tracy, such as Kimball Park, Zanussi Park, Tracy Press Park, Veteran's Park, and Dan Busch Park. If you want to get started with filming in such parks (with exclusive access), you need to:

Reach out to the parks department to check the availability of the park premises.

Get their schedule of fees and ask if you need to hire someone from their staff.

Notify the nearby residents and affectees before filming on the park premises.

Filming In Caswell Memorial State Park

Situated in the southern region of California’s San Joaquin County, the Caswell Memorial State Park is home to the highly threatened (and protected) Riparian Oak Woodland. The Stanislaus River hugs the stretch of land upon which the state park is situated. It is managed by California's State Parks Department. And since it is a state-owned park, the permit for filming on this premises is issued by the California Film Commission. The permit issued by the CFC is free of cost, but the state park may ask you to hire someone from their staff to monitor your efforts and act as a guide.

Filming In Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area

Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area is also managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation; it is an off-road recreation area situated in the Diablo Range (more precisely, in the southern parts of both San Joaquin and Alameda counties). Once again, the filming permit here is issued by the California Film Commission, which issues such permits free of any cost and also liaises with state-level departments to make things easier on you.

Filming With Camera Drones

Using camera drones (generally) is permitted, with a few exceptions, and you can get started with drone filming by doing the following:

Reach out to the city government to see if there are any restricted zones relating to drone use and see if your filming venue falls within the restricted zone.

If there are no restrictions, apply for a camera drone operation permit.

You must submit documents for UAS liability coverage of at least $2 million for your permit.

Agree to respect everyone’s sense of privacy and personal space.

Comply with the FAA regulations for the use of drones.

Filming Beyond The Regular Hours For Film Production Activities

You can usually film from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, but if you need to film beyond this allowed timeframe, you first need to know that the locals are okay with it. Once you're confident that you'll get an overall positive response from the residents and business owners in the area if you conduct a survey, go ahead and then submit the results to the city government, requesting an extension in the time limit or allowance for filming on weekends.

What Does it Cost to Film in Tracy?

The filming regulations in Tracy are not that strict about most things, but besides requiring you to get production insurance coverage, these rules also impose certain fees and dues to be payable to both the permit issuing authority and any other departments associated with your film production activities. First up, you have the Tracy Development Services Department, which will charge $93 as a Tracy film permit application fee, and after that, they'll charge a separate sum for permit issuance depending on the number of venues and assorted factors.

Additional Fees

Providing food and beverages for the cast and crew during shoot days is essential and can add up depending on the production size. For larger productions or shooting in public places, you might need to budget for security and crowd control measures to ensure safety and privacy.

Geographical Jurisdiction of Tracy?

Tracy's filming laws only apply to the 26.03 square miles that constitute the city's territory in San Joaquin County. Up north, Interstate 205, alongside Interstate 5 to the east and Interstate 580 to the southwest, form a triangle that contains most of the city’s land area. Nearby landmarks and settlements include the Old River up north; Banta, Lyoth, and Carbona to the east; Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area to the south; Mountain House to the west.

Outreach in Tracy

As per the Tracy filming laws, you must send notification letters to all affected residents and business owners in the area (the neighborhood you’re planning to film in/near). You’ll only have to post notification letters to all the locals detailing your contact information, any inconvenience to be experienced, your filming schedule, and so on. In some cases, you may need to do a local survey, but that’s not usually needed. When it is, the Tracy Development Services Department will let you know. If you do have to do one, be sure to let the people involved know what you’re working on and generate enthusiasm for your film project to get positive responses overall.

Community Management in Tracy

Behind the famous wineries, railroads, and farms in Tracy, you’ve got a highly cooperative and hospitable community that couldn’t be more excited to have film productions work on their projects in town. The pride of being associated with projects like Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street has not faded away, and coupling this with relaxed filming regulations in Tracy gives you the perfect city for working on your next big film.

City Guide Filming in Tracy, CA

Production Permit Fees

Minimum Insurance

Additional Permits

Discounts