Oakland Film Permit Terms and Conditions
The City of Oakland’s Film Permit grants permission to film only on real property or streets owned, leased and/or controlled by the City of Oakland.
The Film Permit is not transferable and shall be in the possession of the permitee while on location.
Written permission and lease arrangement shall be provided by the owner(s) of private property not owned, leased and/or controlled by the City of Oakland.
The Film Permit is granted subject to the terms and conditions stated herein.
Failure to comply with these terms and conditions constitutes grounds for revocation of the Film Permit.
1. Permit Required
Film Permit: The Film Office issues the Film Permit granting permission to the permitee to film in the City of Oakland.
Encroachment Permit: Encroachment Permits are issued by the City of Oakland Police Department. This permit is required for street blockage and/or closure, halting and/or obstruction of pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic.
Permitee shall not interfere with and the City of Oakland easement and/or real property interest(s) without the Encroachment Permit.
Police Officer presence may be required by the City of Oakland Police Department. All the costs for the Police Department are to be reimbursed by the permitee.
Fire Permit: Fire permit is issued by the City of Oakland Fire Department. This Permit is required to film special effects and stunts using pyrotechnics and/or materials deemed hazardous (including fireworks explosives and open flames).
A Fire Department representative shall be present while pyrotechnics are on location.
Special arrangements are required to use city facilities such as parks and city-owned buildings.
Unmanned Aircraft System (Drones) Film Permitting will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Permits are required for all drone flight on, from, within, and over City property. Required documents to be submitted along with a permit application):
- Detailed Flight Plan
- Drone Insurance
- Pilots License or Remote Pilot Certificate
- Drone Registration Certificate
2. Fees (charged per day). See Services & Rates chart for current pricing.
3. Insurance and Indemnification
An Insurance and Indemnification Agreement must be signed and a Certificate of Insurance must be on file with the Film Office.
4. Time Restrictions
Filming shall be permitted between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
The Film Coordinator provides written authorization, if deemed appropriate, to film at any other time.
5. Notices Prior to Filming
The Permitee shall provide residents and businesses in proximity to film locations with no less than one week written notification of the film production. The Film Coordinator shall approve the geographic area and contents of such notice.
6. Parking
The Film Coordinator facilitates the procurement for parking production vehicles from the City of Oakland’s Public Works Department. All production vehicles shall have visible identification while on location.
7. Alterations/Changes to City Property
The Film Coordinator facilitates written authorization by appropriate City Officials to alter, modify and otherwise change to City property.
Permitee shall, prior to expiration of the Film Permit at permit’s expense, remove alterations and modifications made to return City property to its original condition.
8. Acknowledgements
The City of Oakland shall be acknowledged in the film credits for providing City services.
The Film Coordinator facilitates written authorization by appropriate City Officials for use of the City of Oakland’s insignia.
9. Equal Opportunity Employment
Permitee shall not discriminate against employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual preference, marital status, national origin, ancestry, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS-Related Complex, or disability.
Permitee shall make good faith attempts to employ Oakland residents and use Oakland-based services and accommodations whenever possible during film production in the City of Oakland.
10. Compliance with all pertinent laws
Permitee shall comply with all City ordinances and state and federal laws.
Agreeing to the above terms and conditions is part of the Oakland Film Permit application process. The below document packet and links include supporting informational materials.