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CITY OF BURBANK

SERVICES


Film Permits

Download Film Request Form
Download Insurance Form

As a production center for the motion picture and television industry, the City of Burbank actively promotes a positive atmosphere for production companies wishing to film within the City limits.  A film permit is required for all filming done within the City of Burbank.  We have a simplified permit procedure designed to coordinate all your production needs with City health and safety requirements. The following clearly outlines permit procedures and restrictions for filming in the City of Burbank.

To initiate the permit procedure, a film company must:
  1. Contact the Traffic Bureau of the Burbank Police Department at (818) 238-3105, fax 238-3109, no less than 48 hours prior to start of proposed filming.
  2. Supply description of desired location and type of production activity.
  3. If necessary, any affected City department (Public Works, City Hall, etc.) must be contacted by a film company representative for departmental approval.
  4. A production company representative must appear in person at the Police   Traffic Bureau (200 N. Third St. Corner of Third/Orange Grove) to sign and pay appropriate fees before actual filming begins.

REQUIREMENTS


INSURANCE:
If the company has not filmed in this city in the past, or if their insurance certificate in our file has expired, the company will provide the city with their insurance certificate, naming the City of Burbank, its officers and employees as "additional insured" on a additional insured endorsement form, with  limits of not less than one million dollars, combined single limit.

The original or faxed copy of the certificate of insurance MUST be reviewed and approved by the City Attorney's office before the permit can be issued. (A studio representative will take the certificate of insurance to the City Attorney and return the approved insurance certificate to Traffic Bureau.)

OFF-DUTY PERSONNEL:
If any filming is done or equipment is parked on a street or on public property, at least one Burbank police officer must be present at film location.  On occasion, when the city is unable to supply enough Burbank police officers the film company is then required to employ CHP officers.

In the case of any interior filming on private or public property, a fire safety officer is required.  The film coordinator will contact the Burbank Fire Department to request a fire safety officer.

When animals are present at the filming location the Animal Shelter will be notified by the film coordinator.

The Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport supplies its own officers on Airport property, but any interior shots or special effects still require a Burbank fire safety officer.

The number of officers assigned is always at the discretion of the Commander of the Traffic Bureau.

OPERATIONS POLICIES
Generally film permits are issued from the hours of 7am-10pm in residential areas.  Filming in a residential area beyond normal hours shall require the approval of all residents who would be impacted by filming during the restricted hours. There are no time restrictions in a commercial area.

Posting of "No Parking" signs in a business/residential area shall only be approved for one side of the street unless all affected business owners and residents have signed waivers.  Said waiver shall be presented to the film coordinator prior to the issuance of the permit authorizing such usage.  Film equipment will not be allowed to park overnight in a residential area.

Traffic lane and street closures are generally not permitted other than for three minute intermittent traffic control.  The primary consideration in determining the closure of the traffic lane shall always be of the safe and efficient movement of vehicular traffic.  However, the Traffic Bureau Commander and traffic engineer  may authorize the closing of a lane of traffic to facilitate production and enhance safety.

The wetting of surface streets by production companies may be permitted after all safety issues have been reviewed by the Traffic Bureau Commander.  In all cases where permission to wet the street has been granted the production company shall be responsible for providing the appropriate and legal control and warning devices required.

Stunts involving vehicle crashes or chases may be approved after consultation with the Traffic Bureau Commander and consideration of all safety issues.  At no time will vehicle speeds exceed the posted or legal speed limit for the area in which the stunt is to be performed.

FEE SCHEDULES
The $350.00 film permit (non-refundable) application fee is to be paid in advance, but all other expenses can be billed.  See attached fee resolution  schedule.  The expenses can be billed.  The exception is a company filming for the first time in Burbank, which shall pay estimated fees in advance.  Differences will be adjusted after the filming date.

PAY SCHEDULES
Burbank Police Department policy establishes a minimum of four hours pay for any officers assigned to extra-duty job.  The film coordinator shall bill studios for police officer services and city property rental. The exception is a company filming for the first time in Burbank, which shall pay estimated fees in advance. The Fire Department shall bill for fire safety officer services and rental fees for fire department.

Any company which is delinquent in payment shall not be allowed to film in the City of Burbank until payment is received.

RENTAL OF CITY PROPERTY
In the event the location representative requests to film on city property, concerned City Departments must be contacted by the location representative for approval and to have a City Facility Addendum form completed.

RENTAL OF FIRE EQUIPMENT
When fire apparatus is to be used in a fire scene or when it is intended to depict normal fire department operations, minimum manpower requirements shall be as required by the fire department.  If apparatus is to be used for background, only the necessary drivers for that apparatus will be required.

"NO PARKING" SIGNS
Certain areas can be posted for "No Parking" to reserve parking spaces for the production vehicles.  Prior to the film permit times the production company will  post the “No Parking” signs for the parking areas allocated in the permit.

CANCELING
Upon a short notice cancellation, if the officer cannot be notified before he goes to the location, the officer will still be paid a four (4) hour minimum, for which the film company will be billed.

COMPLAINTS
We have very few complaints from citizens concerning restricted parking or other conflicts, and generally the location representative will try to cooperate with those registering complaints.

If there should be a problem at the location, it is the responsibility of the senior officer working the job to handle the situation, or contact Traffic Commander, the Film Coordinator or Watch Commander to mediate.

DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIT
A copy of the film permit will be given to the production company this copy must be on hand at all times at the film location.  A copy of the permit will be distributed to the appropriate city departments involved. 
 
VISIT HERE FOR FILM PERMIT -  FEE SCHEDULE


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