Film and Still Photography

Still Photography Applications

Still Photography Application
(Pay.gov) Credit Card Payment- Application Fee and Cost Recovery
(Pay.gov) Credit Card Payment- Location Fees
Certificate of Liability Insurance Example

Still Photography

Activities require a permit when:

• The activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed;

• The activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or

• The park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity;

The park needs to provide management and oversight to:

• Avoid impairment or incompatible use of the resources and values of the park, or

• Limit resource damage, or

• Minimize health or safety risks to the visiting public

Payment Information

• A non-refundable application fee of $175.00 must be submitted online through Pay.gov in order to secure a date on the permit calendar. The permit office accepts payment by credit card only and cannot accept personal or business checks or paypal. Please contact the permit office before making payment on Pay.Gov. A certificate of liability insurance of $1,000,000 naming the United States of America / National Park Service as the additionally issued is required for all National Park Service film and photography permits. This fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied, so please contact the office prior to sending in paperwork.
  
  Submitting an application with the fee does not guarantee your activity or the date requested will be approved. In order to be considered for a permit, all documents must be submitted within 2 weeks before your proposed permit start date. Applications are accepted up to one year in advance. We will let you know within 4 business days that we have received your application, but approval or denial of your activity can range from days to weeks.

  Still Photography/Audio Recording Location Fees

  Crew and Talent

  1-10 people	$50/day
  11-30 people	$150/day
  More than 30 people	$250/day

Filming Applications

Commercial Filming
Commercial Filming Application
(Pay.gov) Credit Card Payment- Application Fee and Cost Recovery
(Pay.gov) Credit Card Payment- Location Fees
Certificate of Liability Insurance Example

Non Commercial Filming
Non Commercial Filming Application
(Pay.gov) Credit Card Payment- Application Fee and Cost Recovery
(Pay.gov) Credit Card Payment- Location Fees
Certificate of Liability Insurance Example

Filming

California Film Commission Locations

Submitting an application with the fee does not guarantee your activity or the date requested will be approved. Applications are accepted up to one year in advance. We will let you know within 4 business days that we have received your application, but approval or denial of your activity can range from days to weeks. Location fees are waived for student films.

Commercial Filming Location Fees
(not required for non-commercial filming permits)
Crew and Talent

1-2 people, camera & tripod only	$0/day
1-10 people	$150/day
11-30 people	$250/day
31-49 people	$500/day
More than 50 people	$750/day

Commercial Filming
Is defined as the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income. Examples include, but are not limited to, feature film, videography, and documentaries. Commercial filming may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props, such as a documentary, television or feature film, social media platforms or similiar project.

• There is non-exclusive use of all park sites.
• Due to federal property being non-exclusive all public holds can be placed temporarily (up to 5 minutes).
• Location releases will not be signed by the Superintendent.
• Unmanned Aircraft: Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft (e.g, drones, model airplanes, quadcopters) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is prohibited.

Filming equipment includes but is not limited to:

• Film cameras/Digital cameras/DSLR cameras/SLR cameras
• 360 cameras
• Smart phones
• Action cameras (GoPro)
• Drones (UAS) Prohibited

Types of commercial filming can include, but is not limited to:

• Travel logs
• Copyright retained by the permittee
• Motion pictures
• Independant films
• Short subject film
• Television programs
• Commericals
• Documentaries
• Soft News:
  • is planned or scheduled in advance.
  • It is managed by the Public Information Officer.
  • Staff assigned is responsible for resource protection.
  • A permit is required.

Non-Commercial Filming
These include filming projects for governmental agencies (including sponsored convention, visitor or tourism bureaus) and student projects, not intended for commercial use. Parks may require permits for non-commercial filming if necessary to manage the activity, protect park resources and values, minimize conflict between user groups, or ensure public safety.

Filming equipment includes but is not limited to:

• Film cameras/Digital cameras/DSLR cameras/SLR cameras
• 360 cameras
• Smart phones
• Action cameras (GoPro)
• Drones (UAS) Prohibited

Student Film Requirements:

• Students must submit an application and a fee of $175 to hold a date on our calendar.
• Insurance documents must be provided from your school in order to be considered a student film.
• Once proper insurance documents are submitted, location fees will be waived.

Advanced approval is required by the Office of Special Park Uses by calling 805-370-2308.

• There is non-exclusive use of all park sites.
• Due to federal property being non-exclusive all public holds can be placed temporarily (up to 5 minutes).
• Location releases will not be signed by the Superintendent.
• Unmanned Aircraft: Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft (e.g, drones, model airplanes, quadcopters) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is prohibited.

Breaking News:

• is happening at a unique time and place.
• The NPS retains management responsibilities.
• All news staff must have their California access for press visible.
• This does not require a permit.

In order to be considered for a permit, all documents must be submitted within 2 weeks before your proposed permit start date. Complex and/or multi-day filming requires all documents to be submitted within 4 weeks before your proposed permit start date.

Application Process

Please follow county guidance and health orders.

Los Angeles County: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/reopening-la.htm
Ventura County: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/public-health-orders/

You must allow no less than 10 business days, excluding weekends and holidays (no exception), for the park to process your request. First come, first serve. Night filming is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Follow the directions found in the application form, then scan the completed form and e-mail to the permits office. Or mail the completed form to the park headquarters address found at the bottom of the page. Forms will be accepted via U.S. mail or email once confirmation of payment is received. Photographed documents are not accepted.

Additional Information

• If you are using generators, hotlights, and/or pyrotechnics you are required to submit an application through LA County Fire Department: Fire Safety Advisor Application.

• Some activities are required to go through full environmental or historic compliance review.

• Additional administrative costs and cost recovery may also be charged.

• Filming and Photography equipment includes but is not limited to:

  • Film cameras/Digital cameras/DSLR cameras/SLR cameras

  • 360 cameras

  • Smart phones

  • Action cameras (GoPro)

  • Drones (UAS) Prohibited

• Additional documents may be required for complex events:

  • If you are applying to film multiple days

  • If you have 50 + cast and crew, will need to build sets, use pyro-technics/special effects, requesting public holds, etc.

  • All animals will require a wrangler and possibly an EMT with tools of the trade.

  • All stunts will require a stunt coordinator and EMT with tools of the trade

  • All prop weapons require a prop master

  • All shooting weapons require a licensed armor

  • All children are required a set teacher

  • Set improvements or changes must be followed by a restoration plan presented to the SPU office

Performance Bonds

Some projects may require a performance bond or cash deposit. The purpose of the bond is to ensure that the natural area or historic feature is left in as good a condition as it was prior to the filming, and to cover any unpaid costs incurred as part of the project. The amount of the bond will be determined according to the scope and potential for damage by the activity. At the conclusion of the permit, the bond will be returned to the permittee after final billing costs and costs of necessary clean up; repair or rehabilitation is deducted.

Blackout Dates:

• Filming or photography will not be scheduled on weekends or on government holidays including:

  • Memorial Day Holiday Weekend (beginning Friday of the holiday weekend)

  • July 4th Holiday Weekend

  • Labor Day Holiday Weekend (beginning Friday of the holiday weekend)

• Photo shoots and filming will not be scheduled in the same location during weekdays when commercial filming is taking place.

Wondering what properties are administered by the National Park Service? Check out our map of the entire Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. We do not manage business opportunities for California State Parks, Mountains Restoration Conservation Authority (MRCA), local parks or other lands not administered by the National Park Service, within the Recreation Area. For all other areas, you must contact the appropriate land managers.

Link back to Special Park Uses Homepage.

Contact Us
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Office of Special Park Uses
1 Baxter Way Suite 180 Westlake Village, CA 91362
[phone]
Email Us