Film Permits

Permit Requirement

In the City of Lancaster, a temporary use (filming) permit is required for all on-location filming on both public and private property. Exceptions are news crews, family videoing, and filming that takes place entirely on a certified sound stage.

Application Submission

Processing for on-location filming requires a minimum of three full business days prior to first activity date. This does not include the date of submission. Please be advised certain activities may require more advance notice.

Standard Filming Hours

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

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.

City-Owned Facilities

All City of Lancaster-owned facilities require a mandatory tech scout at least three days prior to the start of prep/filming. This will affect the turnaround time needed to process your film permit application.

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 Filming 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.

Posted Parking

Production companies are responsible for posting “no parking” 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.

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.

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 Filming Survey may be required to ensure affected community members have been contacted and their concerns (if any) regarding the activity are addressed.

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 California Highway Patrol may be used if locations are in both the City of Lancaster and unincorporated Los Angeles County. The production company is responsible for ordering and paying the required officer(s).

Filming Survey

The City of Lancaster may require a filming survey, designed to demonstrate that affected residents/businesses have been individually contacted and to solicit individual concerns (if any) regarding the requested activity. FilmLA will provide a survey form, guidelines, sample letter, and a sample map, but the production company is responsible for surveying affected residents and businesses.

Neighborhood Notification

Notification of residents and/or businesses within 500′ of the filming location and associated activity generally requires a minimum of two 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. FilmLA’s standard notification service may be used.

Special Monitors

When necessary, a FilmL.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.