City Guide Filming in Vallejo, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Application Fee: $154 (non-refundable)
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability Insurance
- Aviation / Helicopter Coverage
- Automobile Liability
- Additional Insured Endorsement
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Vallejo
Vallejo, one of California's most populous cities and only 28 miles northeast of downtown San Francisco, is rich in cultural, historical, and artistic attractions and breathtaking scenery. Without a doubt, Vallejo is a photogenic city. Vallejo provides filmmakers with a ton of realistic settings that may be used to create whatever environment they can envision.
The city can be your one-stop shop for filming in California, with film production support space, enormous sound stages, and a full island consisting of residential, industrial, marine, and recreational spaces suitable for film production. Some films and tv shows with scenes shot in Vallejo include 13 Reasons Why, Guinevere, Hammett, The Men's Club, Bumblebee (I), The Amazing World of Gumball, and Basic Instinct.
The Vallejo authorities support film projects and strive to reduce administrative deadlines and burdens. In the City of Vallejo, filmmakers can do anything that they would have to wait a long time and spend a lot of money to do in many other cities in the world.
Vallejo allows film productions to take place concurrently, whether they be feature films, commercials, or short films. In addition, local filmmakers, animal handlers, stuntmen, special effects technicians, and set construction can also be found in the county. The city has become a very intriguing and appealing shooting site due to its cultural diversity spanning numerous eras.
Furthermore, there have recently been substantial modifications in the law governing film production in Vallejo on public property. Thanks to its film-friendly law, your production companies can easily handle all the paperwork and keep an eye on the process to ensure their film production runs as smoothly as possible.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Vallejo?
Yes. All commercial filming in Vallejo requires a filming permit, whether you plan to film on public or private property. However, a film permit is not required for filming on a sound stage.
You also do not need a permit to shoot on the city property if you are filming breaking news with the appropriate press credentials, taking a photograph for personal use, or filming wholly on private land. For instance, if you are filming inside a private restaurant and will not be filming in front of the restaurant or parking, you do not need to obtain a permit from Vallejo/Solano County Film Office.
Student Filming:
Any student filming on public property requires a permit. However, while the student permit is free, you will need a valid school ID and a letter from your school saying that you are presently enrolled and that the film is intended solely for educational reasons.
Non-Profit Filming:
Non-profit organizations must get a filming permit as well, although it is free. You will be required to supply a copy of your IRS 501c form. However, other costs may apply depending on the scope of your film activity.
Pyrotechnics Permit:
Under state law, if pyrotechnic special effects are used in any form of a motion picture or entertainment production, you must get a Pyrotechnics License in California.
Permit Management in Vallejo
Vallejo/Solano County Film Office
The Vallejo/Solano County Film Office is a one-stop shop for all filming permit requirements in Vallejo. The agency was established in 1996 to promote film production of all genres and to stimulate economic activity for Solano County. The Film Office is a member of the Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) and the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI).
The Vallejo/Solano County Film Office has good relationships with all of Solano County's cities and the county government. They understand how the local governments work and what filming permits are required. They can also help you fulfill your permits promptly and secure the necessary clearances from state parks, facilities, and other state agencies. A film permit in Vallejo offers access to city services such as collaboration with public parks and some privately held locales, parking for honey wagons and film production vehicles, and location help with government property.
Once all paperwork is received, your application might take up to four business days to process. You can get it faster if the shot is simple and does not require parking, ITC, neighborhood notification, street closures, or cooperation with the California Film Commission. Besides, all completed permission applications may be electronically submitted to the Vallejo/Solano County Film Office.
What Insurance Do I Need in Vallejo?
Filmmaking insurance is an important aspect of preventing financial disasters from occurring during film production. Depending on the size of your film production, you may not even be able to begin shooting without some type of insurance. If you're in charge of film production, you'll find film insurance incredibly handy.
When applying for a filming permit, production companies that want to film on public property must provide some of the following types of filming insurance:
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 Vallejo?
Choosing the right location may make or break your film and significantly impact the final production tone. While some filmmakers use sets to express their stories, others seek unusual places. When it comes to great filming locations, the City of Vallejo offers some of the best and most well-known locations in the state. From gardens and parks to markets and beaches, the city has so many eye-catching outdoor locations for shooting your film.
Do you want to shoot a film in a theme park? Six Flags Discovery Kingdom provides thrilling experiences for filmmakers. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom has been a popular filming location, with parts of Twisted and Fifty First Dates being shot at the park. The theme park provides abundant options for filmmakers to explore.
Mare Island is another great filming location available in Vallejo. The small peninsula is the first Naval post in the Pacific states and is only a few minutes by car from the city; hence it has several options. Though this navy facility is no longer operational, filmmakers can still use these sites during their production. Warner Bros. spent more than a year filming the undersea thriller Sphere on Mare Island. Metro, Flubber, What Dreams May Come, and Patch Adams are also among the films shot on the island.
Glen Cove is also a tiny urban community in Vallejo's southern part that gives filmmakers breathtaking views and scenery of the Carquinez Strait and its surrounding hill and landscape. This upmarket, scenic neighborhood has various attractive locations for filmmakers. For instance, if you want a pleasant green spot with a great lake view, Glen Cove Waterfront Park is for you.
The Carquinez Bridge has also appeared in episodes of popular TV shows such as Mythbusters and 13 Reasons Why. The Carquinez Bridge extends over the Carquinez Strait between the City of Vallejo and San Francisco Bay. Historically, the bridge originated as a ferry crossing in the 1800s, mostly for people traveling from San Francisco to Sacramento, and by 1927, a bridge was completed to aid transport.
Filmmakers can also film in the Cines Crestmont, famous for being the setting for the TV series 13 Reasons Why. In addition, the City of Vallejo has a variety of residential houses where you can shoot films.
Special Requirements in Vallejo
Forest Service Public Lands
The use of these lands for commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit that is issued by the Forest Supervisor of the relevant land or the District Ranger.
The Forest Service will examine if there are any environmental concerns in the planned film production location before issuing a permit.
The Forest Service may impose liability insurance and/or performance bonds to safeguard the public interest. A general liability policy of $1 million is usually required. Activities involving the utilization of a helicopter may also necessitate a budget for insurance of up to $5 million.
The cost of using the public land is determined by the number of days spent filming, the film team size, and/or the type and amount of equipment present.
California Freeway
When requesting a state film permit on a highway or freeway, you must notify the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at least four business days ahead of time. They will assess whether CHP is required according to your activity. The CHP is the state's liaison for videography on all state roads, unincorporated county roads, and freeways.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
All Six Flags rides and attractions are copyright protected. To use the park for commercial filming, you must obtain written authorization from a Six Flags authorized representative.
California State Parks
All filming at Vallejo Park and all other California State Parks requires a current California Film Commission (CFC) film permit. To be considered for a film permit, you must submit applications at least two weeks before the first shoot date.
Filmmakers and producers must understand that the restriction of public access is prohibited. Therefore, pornography, nudity, profanity, loud music, and other obscene behaviors are forbidden on State Park property. Furthermore, filming is not permitted in any roped-off or closed places.
Encroachment Permit Guidelines
An encroachment permit is required if you plan to install a temporary structure or object inside the public right of way or easements. An encroachment permit is also required for a sidewalk café in the downtown district.
The Director of Public Works, or his designee, may decline a filming permit application at their discretion if they believe the public property will become dangerous or harm the public's health and safety, or causes inconvenience in an unreasonable manner. The application may be approved or subject to any terms or conditions considered necessary.
After obtaining a permit, contact the City Inspector at least 24 hours before beginning construction or installation to schedule an inspection.
What Does it Cost to Film in Vallejo?
Several factors determine the total permit cost in the City of Vallejo. A coordinator from the Vallejo/Solano County Film Office can work with you and your budget to meet your film production's demands. The following fees are related to the filming permit in Vallejo:
Additional Fees
In addition to these costs, there will be additional charges for any equipment or city personnel who will be required to assist with the film production.
Check the City of Vallejo Master Fee Schedule for an updated list of filming and special events fees. It will give filmmakers an idea of additional filming and public safety rates for any film-related activities.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Vallejo?
Vallejo is a Bay Area community with a lovely shoreline and a historic center. The rapidly expanding neighborhood offers excellent commercial and residential options in four major areas: Mare Island, Downtown Vallejo, the Waterfront, and Northgate.
Vallejo is ideally placed midway between Sacramento and San Francisco, and the city's closeness to UC Davis and UC Berkeley significantly benefits it. In addition, Vallejo is home to three colleges: the California Maritime Academy, Touro University, and two Solano Community College campuses, all of which offer excellent possibilities for higher education.
Vallejo has lots of leisure possibilities too. Six Flags Marine World, one of the world's few wildlife, oceanarium, and theme park complexes, constantly adds new attractions and shows. The Greater Vallejo Recreation District maintains 38 public parks and amenities. Mare Island Golf Course, Hiddenbrooke Golf Club, and Blue Rock Springs provide three demanding and gorgeous courses that everyone can play. The Vallejo Yacht Club, located on the gorgeous Vallejo Waterfront, has been a landmark in Vallejo since the turn of the century.
Vallejo, with a population of over 120,000 people, combines the ingenuity of a big city with the elegance of a little town, all at a relatively low cost compared to most communities in Northern California. In addition, Vallejo is a terrific area to work and live in, with 20 miles of waterfront and numerous public parks and golf courses within city limits.
Outreach in Vallejo
Regular film production hours are 7 AM to 10 PM. And any request for filming outside these hours may necessitate a filming survey from impacted residents and businesses demonstrating strong support for the planned activity. The usage of the Good Neighbor Notification Survey or More Hours must be included in the notification but is not required. The filming survey must be signed by the owner or management of the impacted business or facility and an 18-year-old resident of the building.
The Vallejo/Solano County Film Office may require a signature survey outlining the anticipated filming activity. You will oversee gathering signatures from affected residents and businesses. For your filming activity to be approved, most of those polled must not be opposed to filming. Prior to the start of filming, the production company is also responsible for settling all community and operational difficulties linked with the film production and the location.
Community Management in Vallejo
It is important to maintain strong ties with the local community, especially when you plan to film in a residential or commercial area. The more a community understands what goes into producing a film, the easier it is to manage. Engaging neighborhoods and businesses and keeping them informed of potential disruptions, parking changes, and night work can go a long way toward avoiding conflict.
It is also critical to help businesses in the community feel included and involved without crossing any boundaries. Establishing relationships with them and providing them with as much information as possible is vital. Inviting them to events and ensuring that they have any information you are permitted to give can all help ensure a successful production. In any case, cultivating strong relationships with all members of the community is important.
Conclusion
Vallejo is a city with a long and colorful history of cinema that will make any filmmaker ecstatic. In addition, it is one of Solano County's best seaside cities and one of the Bay Area's most affordable locations. As a result, the City of Vallejo has appeared in a number of films, ranging from classics to today's biggest blockbusters.
Vallejo offers various perspectives and locations for any project, from modest earlier productions in the 1900s to feature films, commercials, and photoshoots. It's simple to see why the entertainment industry loves Vallejo. In addition to its numerous distinctive surroundings, the city has several big industrial buildings left behind by the Navy that production companies have readily converted to sound stages for their productions.
There is also a substantial, experienced, and knowledgeable staff base in the city. Vallejo/Solano County Film Office can gladly assist you in locating any staff you may require. Also, if you have more questions about filming guidelines, laws, and regulations, you should contact the agency for assistance. They know much about the City of Vallejo, including where to get the greatest deals on the filming services and products you require.