CLIENT DESCRIPTION

FilmL.A. has contracted with the City of Lancaster to coordinate and release film permits within that jurisdiction in a centralized manner. The City has a need and interest in programs, projects and activities to encourage filming and expedite of the processing of permits to reduce runaway production and to encourage cooperation between residents, businesses and production companies.

History of the City

Lancaster has been named "Most Business-Friendly City" at the 12th Annual Eddy Awards held by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. Lancaster places a high priority on attracting and retaining businesses. Affordable land, a streamlined development process and an expanding community make Lancaster an ideal environment for businesses to thrive and grow.
 

PERMITS FOR FILMING

Any filming that occurs within the City of Lancaster requires a film permit. Exceptions are news crews, family videoing, and filming that takes place entirely on a certified sound stage

How much time will it take?

Permits with few requirements which do not impact public safety can be obtained within 24 hours. However, more complex and detailed permits may take up to 3 days.

All City of Lancaster-owned facilities require a Mandatory tech scout at least 3 days prior to prep/film dates. Fees for the facilities will be assessed at that time and given to a FilmL.A. coordinator.

FilmL.A. must submit proper insurance to the City of Lancaster prior to the permit being released.  Questions about insurance can be directed to FilmL.A. Support Staff.  Permits will not be released without the proper insurance.
 

TRAFFIC CONTROL

A Traffic Control Plan may be required if filming will necessitate intermittent traffic control (ITC) or any impact on the flow of traffic. ITC is allowed on most roadways, but is limited to two (2) minutes at a time. Production companies are required to use Los Angeles County Sheriff(s) for any filming requiring ITC within the City of Lancaster. The CHP may be used if locations are in both the City of Lancaster and Unincorporated LA County areas.  The production company is responsible for ordering and paying the required officer(s).

Posting "Temporary No Parking"

The production company is responsible for posting signs 48 hours prior to the restriction being effective. If the signs are not up 48 hours prior, the signs are NOT enforceable. Signs may be picked up at the Lancaster Film Office or from FilmL.A. City staff will conduct inspections to ensure everything is posted properly.

GENERAL FILMING RULES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

Filming Hours - Normal filming hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Any request for filming outside these hours may require a signature survey, designed to demonstrate that affected residents/businesses have been individually contacted and to elicit individual concerns (if any) regarding the requested activity.

Fire - FilmL.A. will submit all permits to the LA County Fire Department Film Desk for review and determination of the need for Fire Safety Advisors/Officers and water trucks on-site during filming and will advise the production company of any assignment made or water truck requirement.

Gunfire/Firearms - Gunfire or the brandishing of firearms must be identified in the permit request. This activity requires a Sheriff be present to ensure safety and proper notification to appropriate law enforcement offices. Gunfire requires extensive notification beyond the standard 500' to ensure all those potentially affected by filming are aware of the activity. If deemed necessary by the City of Lancaster, a signature survey may be required to ensure affected community members are well informed of the activity and any potential concerns are addressed.

Inspection - The production must allow inspection of the film site by City of Lancaster staff at any time. A copy of the approved permit must remain at the filming location.

Notification - Notification of residents and/or businesses within 500' of the filming location and associated activity is generally required a minimum of two (2) working days in advance of the first filming day. Complicated filming activities may require notification of additional areas to be determined by the City of Lancaster. Notification may be performed by the production company, or by FilmL.A. in exchange for a fee billed to the production company.

Private Property - The production company is required to obtain the property owner's permission, consent, and/or lease for use of property not owned or controlled by the City. A consent form is available for download in the Form Center.

Restoration - The permittee shall restore the site to the original condition upon completion of shooting unless otherwise approved by the property owner.

Sheriff - Production companies are responsible for contacting and hiring Sheriff Deputies if required by their permit. All Sheriff Deputies have the authority to enforce all filming permits issued within the city limits of the City of Lancaster. They are authorized to enforce, modify or revoke a permit for safety reasons.

Signage - All signs erected for filming purposes shall be removed upon completion of filming activity as conditioned by the permit. If not removed within 48 hours, the City will remove them and may levy a fee against the production.

Signature Survey - The City of Lancaster may require a signature survey, designed to demonstrate that affected residents/businesses have been individually contacted and to elicit individual concerns (if any) regarding the requested activity.  The City of Lancaster will provide a signature survey form and a map or list of addresses, but the production will be responsible for obtaining signatures of affected residents and businesses.

Special Effects - Any filming activity that requires the use of flammable materials, explosive devices or open flames is considered a special effect. FilmL.A. submits all permit requests directly to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Film Desk for approval of all special effects. Special effects may require extensive notification to residents and businesses beyond the standard 500' to ensure that all those potentially affected by the activity are notified. If deemed necessary by the City of Lancaster, a signature survey may be required to ensure affected community members have been contacted and their concerns (if any) regarding the activity are addressed.

Special Monitors - When necessary, a monitor will be assigned to an individual production which includes filming that occurs on City-owned property, complicated filming activity, and frequently filmed areas, etc.  The cost of a Monitor will be billed to the production company.
 

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Proof of insurance is required before FilmL.A. can begin processing your permit application. Comprehensive or commercial general liability insurance must include the following coverage: premises/operations, products/completed operations (when applicable), contractual, personal injury and broad form property damage, with limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage -- five million ($5,000,000.00) when using aircraft.

Be sure your insurance also complies with the following:

• ACORD 25 Certificate of Liability Insurance, Certificate Holder = “City of Lancaster, its officers, servants, agents, employees, and volunteers”
   
• Additional Insured endorsement = “City of Lancaster, its officers, servants, agents, employees and volunteers”
   
• Copy of Workers Compensation Policy if not evidenced on insurance certificate. Liability limits as required by the Labor Code of the State of California
   
• City of Lancaster Hold Harmless Agreement signed by an authorized company representative (available in the Form Center)
   
• When using private property a private property authorization form must be completed and signed by the property owner and an authorized company representative (available in the Form Center)
   

PERMIT FEES

The costs to film within the City of Lancaster are as follows:

• Application Fee:             $150 per permit
• Per-Location Fee:            $ 50 per location
• Lancaster Inspector Fee: $121 per day

Film activity at Lancaster-owned properties may generate location fees. Use of City  personnel, when required based on requested film activity, will generate personnel fees. 
 

SPECIAL FORMS

Some special forms are required. The FilmL.A. Form Center includes all of the special forms required to process your permit.