City Guide Filming in Yakima, WA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by the Planning Division
- Film Permit Application Fee: $50
- Timing: Forty-five days for a film permit
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial general liability
- Automobile liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Yakima
Yakima is a city with a rich history of festivals and fairs. Located in the Yakima Valley, it is the county seat of Yakima County in Washington and hosts several activities such as the Yakima Folklife Festival, Central Washington State Fair, and Fresh Hop Ale Festival that welcomes people from different parts of the region on an annual basis.
In addition to being a vibrant town with amazing folks, Yakima is also a film production hub. The city has been a choice filmmaking destination since the 1950s and has hosted a wide range of production teams that have shot different kinds of projects ranging from commercials to TV shows, feature films, and documentaries.
If you fancy getting to know what Yakima has in store for you as a producer, simply head out to this city which is about 20 miles south of Ellensburg and explore the beautiful locations here. And don’t forget that you can use Giggster to find the most amazing filming locations here in Yakima.
Additionally, you can check out projects filmed here, such as The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992), To Hell and Back (1955), In Dubious Battle (2016), The Hanging Tree (1959), One Remains (2019), Hopped Up (2021), Unfallen (2017), and Inclusion Criteria (2018), to name a few.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Yakima?
Yakima’s filming laws dictate whether you will need a permit to shoot films in the city or not because not all filmmaking activities require a permit in the city. For instance, if you are in town for personal recordings or shoots with family and friends without any intention to use the video(s) for money-making ventures or commercial ends, you do not need a permit. That is why folks can take pictures of and record the various parts of the city to keep as mementos without first getting a film permit.
On the other hand, if you intend to conduct a filming activity in the city for commercial purposes - regardless of the scale of the production - you must first obtain a Special Event Permit. Moreover, if you intend to shoot production in a publicly owned facility in the city or on public rights-of-way, you must get a permit for such activity. Even when you intend to use private property for filming, you will require a permit if your production affects the members of the public in the vicinity of the filming location.
Some productions may require additional approvals and/or permits before taking place in Yakima. Examples include those that require the use of special effects or the closure of roads and streets in the city. In addition, if you are a student filmmaker, you may need to comply with certain special requirements for you to be able to shoot your student film in the city. Non-profit organizations may also be subject to special film permit requirements in the city. Contact the Planning Division for more information.
Permit Management in Yakima
The Planning Division
The Planning Division is the agency in Yakima that is responsible for accepting and reviewing all applications for permits to shoot commercial film production in the city. As a filmmaker, you are required to first schedule an appointment with the Planning Division. As per the city’s filming laws, you should hold a pre-production meeting at least six months before the date you intend to conduct the filming exercise in the city. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the application requirements. There, you will iron out what you need to make your project successful in the city.
After the pre-production meeting, you are required to submit the complete application to the Economic Development Manager at least 45 calendar days before the date you intend to commence the shoot. As soon as the Planning Division receives your application, it will be forwarded to appropriate city departments, such as the Fire Department or Police Department, for review to determine what will be needed for the production and the associated costs.
Besides the application form, the following are required before your permit application can be approved in Yakima:
The application fee and other required costs.
A site plan.
Proof of insurance that complies with the city’s production insurance requirements.
A signed indemnification hold harmless agreement.
Notification to the neighborhood where filming is set to take place.
According to the filming regulations in Yakima, the Planning Division is authorized to deny applications that fall under any of these conditions:
Projects that pose a threat to public safety;
Projects that may cause significant property damage in the city;
Projects that violate public safety and health laws; or
Projects that fail to meet any other stated requirements of Yakima’s filming laws.
To that end, you need to abide by the Special Event Guidelines as you submit your request to film on city grounds. If your application is rejected, you can appeal the denial by sending a written appeal to the Yakima City Manager, who will, in turn, reply within a week.
What Insurance Do I Need in Yakima?
Insurance is one of the requirements you must meet before you can receive permission to carry out your planned production in the city of Yakima. Per the insurance requirements, you must submit a certificate of insurance to the Planning Division 30 days before the date of production and name the City of Yakima as an additional insured.
The City Attorney is saddled with the responsibility of reviewing the liability coverage on the certificate of insurance that a filmmaker submits. These are the minimum production insurance requirements for you to be able to film in Yakima:
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 Yakima?
Yakima is a hub of cultural events and activities, so there are lots of locations and venues in the city that welcome filmmakers for productions of various scales and sizes. These range from museums to theatres, halls, galleries, gardens, parks, streets, and residential and commercial areas.
Check out the Yakima Valley Museum, where you will find exhibits that showcase the cultural and natural history of the region, as well as a fountain that offers a beautiful backdrop for shows and documentaries. You will also find an amazing collection of horse-drawn vehicles as well, among other prized artifacts that speak to the history of the people and the city.
Another top location in the city is the Capitol Theater, a facility that opened in the 1920s that still hosts lots of stage productions and performing arts shows and programs for young and old. This structure in downtown Yakima is hard to pass up for a movie scene or two in the city. Other equally great theaters in the city include Akin Centre Theater and The Warehouse Theater Company.
The Yakima Area Arboretum houses native and adapted non-native plants and offers filmmakers good opportunities to shoot on its nature walk and in its garden settings. This is a good indoor option that complements the outdoor nature settings that are prevalent in the city. The Arboretum is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the Central Washington area.
You will find a lot of parks of varying sizes and with diverse amenities in Yakima, too, where you can set up your stage for any kind of film shoot you desire. Take your pick among the numerous options available such as Cherry Park, Chesterley Park, Elks Park, Emil Kissel Park, Franklin Park, Gardner Park, Gilbert Park, Kiwanis Park, Larson Park, Lions Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, and McGuinness Park.
Special Requirements in Yakima
Yakima City Parks
If you intend to film in any of the city parks in Yakima, you must obtain a permit from the Yakima Parks and Recreation Department first. Contact the department via phone or email to get information on how to proceed and what you need to do to obtain the necessary permit and approval for your film project.
Washington State Parks
There are over 100 beautiful state parks in Washington, and if you choose to film in any of these parks in and around Yakima, you must apply to Washington State Parks at least 60 days before the date you intend to start. As soon as you submit your film permit application, it will be reviewed to see if your project complies with federal and local regulations.
Concerning the filming fees in a state park, there is a $100 application fee for filming in any state park. Late submissions attract an additional $100 fee if such an application is to be processed. If you intend to shoot student films or non-commercial projects, the permit fee may be waived. Depending on the nature of your commercial production and its impact on the park’s activities, some additional fees may be assessed. A complete list of the filming fees is provided in the state park’s fee schedule.
As for the production insurance requirements in Washington State Parks, you are required to provide a certificate of insurance that lists Washington State Parks and the Recreation Commission as additional insured. The insurance must cover for general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for the entire duration of filming. If you intend to film with drones, you will be subject to additional requirements and must provide additional insurance coverage.
Filming for educational purposes is allowed in Washington State Parks and a permit fee is not usually required. However, other fees may be assessed depending on the impact of your activities. Furthermore, an insurance binder must be provided for the educational filming activity.
What Does it Cost to Film in Yakima?
Filming in Yakima is not free of charge. So, prepare to make certain payments to the city as you plan to shoot any form of commercial production there. Every filmmaker must accompany their application for a permit to film in Yakima with a $50 non-refundable fee. If you submit your permit application late, you will pay an additional $100 fee for the late submission. In addition to the application fee, other fees may be associated with your production, such as location fees, police officer fees, and fire services fees. The Planning Division calculates the costs associated with the use of city services and notifies the filmmaker before the permit is issued. The city of Yakima requires every filmmaker to pay a security deposit upon issuance of the film permit. The amount is determined by the Planning Division and may range from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the scope or scale of the film production.
Additional Fees
If you need to block off streets or use public parking for equipment and crew during filming, additional fees might be associated with permits or rental costs.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Yakima?
The city of Yakima is part of a greater Yakima metropolitan area that consists of municipalities such as Terrace Heights and West Valley in the Yakima Valley. Terrace Heights lies east of the city while West Valley and Summitview are located west. Municipalities that are north of Yakima include Selah and Gleed, while Union Gap and Ahtanum are situated south of Yakima. The Ahtanum Ridge and Rattlesnake Ridge divide Yakima County into two regions. Yakima County To shoot production on Yakima County property, you must complete a Special Occasion Application and submit it to the Yakima County Public Service or Yakima County Fire Marshal’s Office at least two weeks before the date you intend to start filming. There may be additional requirements for you to comply with, like providing a certificate of insurance or paying any application fees. You will need to meet these requirements as you apply before you are issued a permit. As soon as your permit is issued, a Fire and Life Safety Inspection will be carried out for public safety reasons. Union Gap To conduct any form of commercial film production in Union Gap, you must complete an application form no later than 30 calendar days before the date you plan to commence production. You must also include in your application to the city how you intend to notify the businesses and residents that will be impacted by the filming activity. You need to provide a site plan that must accompany your application as well. As for the production insurance requirements of the city of Union Gap, you must provide a certificate of insurance that names the city of Union Gap and its officers and staff as additional insured. The insurance must cover a commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and an automobile liability of at least $1,000,000 per accident. You will be required to also sign an indemnification and hold harmless form before your application is approved. If there are any other additional requirements to comply with, such as fees, allowed filming hours, and any supporting documentation, the city representative will inform you accordingly. Toppenish Apply for a special event permit at least 30 days before the date you intend to shoot a commercial film in the city of Toppenish. As part of your application, you must include the following: An application fee. A site layout plan. A security plan. A street closure plan. A traffic safety plan. A Certificate of Insurance. A signed Hold Harmless agreement form. An emergency medical services plan. In addition, the city may require you to pay a damage deposit before you commence production. One of the filming requirements in Toppenish is that you should notify the residents and businesses that will be affected by the production before you arrive in the neighborhood with your cast and crew. If your production involves fireworks and/or pyrotechnics, you will need a special permit from the State Fire Marshal’s Office. After obtaining the special permit, you must present it to the Local Fire Chief in Toppenish for approval as well.
Outreach in Yakima
The filming laws in Yakima require every filmmaker to conduct outreach in the area(s) where they intend to shoot production before when their project commences. These outreach requirements that apply to commercial film production in Yakima are as follows:
The filmmaker must notify all business owners and residents that are within 300 ft of the filming location in writing.
The filmmakers must include the date(s) of filming, filming hours, and details of the production in the notification that will be sent out to the community.
The filmmaker must send out the notification at least seven days before the start of production.
The filmmaker can send the notification letter to each location via mail or by hand delivery.
In addition, the Planning Division may limit or extend the notification zone for a project based on the potential impact of the planned activity on the community.
Community Management in Yakima
It is a recommended practice that filmmakers reach out to the residents and businesses in the filming vicinity either via face-to-face meetings or through public forums where such avenues are open and available. Such an action sets the foundation for a good working relationship and positive experience with the hosts and opens a two-way channel of communication and engagement. With that, the locals can pass across their concerns or suggestions about ongoing production in the community.
Conclusion
The city of Yakima is one of the popular places in Washington that is known for cultural exploits, recreational activities, and filmmaking brilliance. Thanks to its diverse picturesque locations, hospitable residents, historic buildings, natural settings, and beautiful parks, Yakima has long been a place where filmmakers have enjoyed bringing their crew.
Film production in Yakima dates back to the mid-20th century, and so many top-rated producers have come and gone through the city limits with absolutely refreshing memories and blockbuster projects. If you wish to start your application process for a permit here, the office to consult with is the Planning Division. The Division is responsible for accepting applications and passing them on to the respective city agencies or departments that will treat them for any possible additional requirements.
You will need to pay certain fees and provide proof of insurance before your application can be approved. However, rest assured that the Planning Division will work with you to get everything you need to make your venture in the city a successful one.