Filming Here

If you don’t find the information you need here please contact the Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office at 530-889-4091 or go to our website: www.placer.ca.gov/films

Placer County Film Permits

Costs

How much does a county film permit cost?

They are free!

How much do county-owned locations cost? (NOTE: we’re not referring to private properties)

They’re FREE unless there is already a fee levied for the use of the space. For instance, county campground sites and our Veteran Halls have a use fee. A production would be expected to pay these. The vast majority of county-owned properties do not charge use fees.

Does the county charge cost recovery fees?

Yes, on a case-by-case basis, depending on the county-owned location and the production’s impact. The production company may be charged for staff time and equipment. Most basic productions do not incur these charges (i.e., dialogue only, small cast & crew, no stunts or traffic impact, pyro, SFX, late night filming, animals, monitors required, etc.).

Obtaining a County Permit/Application Process

Who must obtain a County film permit when filming in Placer County?

All commercial media productions and high school/college student media productions. This includes but is not limited to feature, independent and short films, TV shows (episodic, documentary, reality, game shows, etc.); trailers, commercials; music videos; social media/web content shows & ads; commercial print photography (magazine ads, catalog shoots); PSAs; corporate. TikTok and Instagram typically do not need a permit. YouTube might – please call the Film Office.

Do I need a film permit if I film at Lake Tahoe?

You can assume the answer is YES. But which permitting office? Lake Tahoe is very large (approx. 21 mi x 12 mi). The lake straddles two states: the western half is in California; the eastern half is in Nevada – and split between three counties. There are also multiple Federal, State, County, and City jurisdictions around the lake, some with regulations also affecting private property. Please contact the Film Office.

What locations in Placer County require a County film permit?

  1. County-owned locations & properties including County roads, buildings, and lands.
    + Insurance – the production company provides specific Proofs of Insurance to the County.
    Details: Placer County Insurance Policy for Filming: General Insurance Policy for filming.

  2. Locations in unincorporated Placer County including private properties.
    Insurance goes to the property owner, per their insurance requirements. FYI – the Lake Tahoe area within our County’s border is unincorporated, however there are also State & Federal lands and properties in this area and they have their own permit & insurance requirements.

Do I need a County film permit if I am filming on private property?

Yes, if the private property is in the unincorporated area of the County.

Do I need a County film permit if I am filming on City, State or Federal property/land?

Generally, a County film permit is not required if the location is owned by another government jurisdiction because they have their own permit requirements. There may be exceptions: for instance, if you are filming in the Tahoe National Forest and have a film permit from them, but also want to film on a County road going through their forest lands, you need a County film permit to film on the County road.
Some of the government jurisdictions within our county borders include: 

  1. Federal lands and facilities such as the US Forest Service & Bureau of Reclamation; 
  2. State lands & facilities such as buildings, beaches, fairgrounds, parks & recreations areas.
  3. Our six incorporated cities of Auburn, Colfax, Lincoln, Loomis, Rocklin, Roseville have their own film permitting processes. For more on these: (See City Contact on Film Permit Page)

    How long does it take to process a County film permit?

    It varies because every production is different. We have a goal of 24 – 48 hours, not including holidays and weekends for the most basic productions. We recommend contacting the Film Office in advance of submitting your complete application in case the review process brings up any special provisions or requirements that must be met prior to the permits being issued.

    How do I start a new application for a County film permit?

    Insurance

    Do I need proof of insurance to film on County-owned property?

    General Insurance Policy for Filming
    Yes – The application will not proceed to the review process without the proper insurance.
    However, if you’re filming on private property provide proof of insurance to the property owner, per their insurance requirements.

    Drone Policy

    Commercial production companies and their subcontractors planning to film using drones (UAS)

    1. Must comply with FAA regulations, Part 107. If the device take-offs or lands the device from county-owned property, Placer County may impose specific requirements, on a case by case basis.
    2. Several types of documentation are required as part of the application process. See this link: DRONE POLICY.

    B Roll Policy

    B Roll Policy

    Placer County defines B-roll activities very specifically (see link below). Please review the definition. If your production meets all of the definition requirements and restrictions, you may use the term “B-Roll’ as a description in the application. Your film activities are restricted to those limits in the definition. See this link: B-ROLL POLICY

    County Locations With Special Circumstances

    FORESTHILL BRIDGE

    Also known the Auburn-Foresthill Bridge. Please contact the Film Office for more details. Here are some basics: 

    • Filming at this location is allowed on a case-by-case basis. 
    • The bridge and road (Foresthill Road) is County-owned property. County permit & insurance requirements apply. Please review insurance costs for this specific use.
    • The property below the bridge is part of the Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA) – this is State property. If production activity impacts the property below the bridge, a State Parks permit and insurance is required.
    • Other permits and agencies may be involved depending on the nature of the production. The Film Office can help determine what other parties may be involved. 
    • Due to multiple County and outside agencies involved in permitting this location, it requires substantial lead time.
    • Prior to submission of the application, the relevant personnel from the production company must attend a planning/scouting meeting with representatives from all involved local agencies. The Film Office will set this up. This meeting is usually held several weeks or more in advance. This group meeting requirement may be waived for the simplest, small productions that don’t involve traffic control, stunts, pyro and other complexities. Please contact the Film Office for more information.

    HISTORIC COURTHOUSE/SUPERIOR COURT in Auburn

    Some Basics

    • Filming at this location is allowed on a case-by-case basis.
    • It is a functioning State Superior Courthouse, operating in a County-owned building; the building also houses a County Museum. 
    • Court use and court activities are not altered to accommodate a production’s needs. This is also generally true regarding public access to the museum rooms.
    • Weekend filming is less restrictive because the courtrooms are not in use, however the museum spaces are open to the public.
    • Production must scout the facility in advance with County staff prior to submitting an application. A checklist will be provided to production to assist with the scout and application process.
    • Plan extra lead time for this location.
    • Historic Courthouse/Superiors Court Filming Policy

    WESTERN STATES ENDURANCE RUN

    This annual 100-mile race is held in July. The race starts in North Lake Tahoe and finishes in Auburn, CA, crossing multiple permitting jurisdictions. Requests for filming this event start with the race organizers. Please contact the Film Office for race contacts.

    WESTERN STATES/TEVIS CUP 100 MILE HORSE RACE

    This is an annual 100-mile horse race held in August. The race starts in North Lake Tahoe and finishes in Auburn, CA, crossing multiple permitting jurisdictions. Requests for filming this event start with the race organizers. The Film Office can provide race contacts.

    Lake Tahoe

    Do I need a film permit if I film at Lake Tahoe?

    You can assume the answer is YES. But which permitting office? Lake Tahoe is very large (approx. 21 mi x 12 mi). The lake straddles two states: the western half is in California; the eastern half is in Nevada – and split between three counties. There are also multiple Federal, State, County, and City jurisdictions around the lake, some with regulations also affecting private property.

    Please contact the Film Office.

    Winter Filming

    1. Winter weather in Tahoe means snow and ice, as well as beautiful, snowy days on the ski slopes. Don’t be fooled by the beautiful weather in the foothills and valleys. There will be snow in Tahoe!
    2. Please make sure your personnel, equipment and vehicle are ready for winter/cold conditions. Bring winter coats, boots, and chains for your vehicle, as needed.
    3. There is no parking allowed on the shoulders/sides of roads from Nov 1 – May 1 to accommodate snow removal equipment. 
    4. The Film Office can put you in touch with many Tahoe-based local crew members, that are experienced working in cold weather conditions. Ask about specialized equipment available for winter conditions. Please contact the Film Office.

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