REPORT
Fees to film in San Francisco
About fees
A daily use fee is required for each day of filming or parking. Payment is accepted via check, money order, credit card, or electronic funds transfer (ACH or Federal Wire System). Checks should be made payable to the "San Francisco Film Commission".Film SF fees
The daily use fees are charged on a per day basis, no matter how many locations are listed on Exhibit A: Film SF Identification Page and Locations Page.
We will issue your permit only after the fees are paid.
| Type | Daily use fee |
|---|---|
Still photography | $200 a day |
Commercials or corporate media | $300 a day |
Short videos (including music videos or web videos) | $300 a day |
Larger productions
For TV series (each episode), movies, pilots, web series (each episode), documentary, and short films.
Include a copy of the total budget estimate to qualify for reduced rates.
| Budget | Daily use fee |
|---|---|
Less than $100,000 | $100 a day |
$100,000 to less than $500,000 | $300 a day |
$500,000 or greater | $500 a day |
No budget estimate submitted | $500 a day |
Fee exemptions
The following production types do not need to pay fees:
- Public service announcements
- Eligible student productions
- Productions created by or for entities that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (provide proof of nonprofit status)
Other information about Film SF fees
If a production fits multiple film categories, it will be charged the highest fee.
If a production is filming for three or more consecutive weeks, a deposit of five daily use fees is required prior to permit issuance.
Refunds
You can get a refund for Film SF fees by cancelling your permit or location day up to 24 hours before filming.
Police Department fees
The Police Department will provide an estimate to Film SF. Film SF will send you a link to pay. We will only issue the film permit after you pay.
SFPD rates are updated twice a year on January 1 and July 1.
| Time range | |
|---|---|
6 am to 6 pm | $150.07 to $198.98 an hour |
6 pm to 6 am | $155.70 to $206.45 an hour |
There is a 4-hour minimum per officer hired for any film shoot. If you cancel the shoot with less than 24 hours notice, you still have to pay the 4-hour minimum.
Vehicle rentals
SFMTA-Muni fees
| Rental Type | 2-hour minimum | Subsequent hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
Cable Car | $958.00 | $479.00 |
Historic | $496.00 | $248.00 |
Vintage | $740.00 | $370.00 |
Motor | $373.00 | $186.50 |
Trolley | $359.00 | $179.50 |
LRV | $791.25 | $395.50 |
GO-4 | $225.75 | $113.00 |
To get a refund, you must cancel your rental by 9:00am the business day prior to the rental date.
Muni inspectors
The estimated rate for a Muni inspector is $144.08 to $192.11 per hour.
Use of SFMTA image trademark
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has trademarked Municipal Railway's images, including:
- Logos
- Other SFMTA-owned imagery
The Use of Image fee is a one-time fee per project type.
If you rent an SFMTA vehicle, you do not have to pay an additional Use of Image fee.
| Project type | One-time fee / July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 |
|---|---|
TV series or pilot | $1,600 |
Movie | $1,600 |
Documentary | $1,600 |
Commercial | $800 |
Still photography | $400 |
Corporate | $400 |
Music video | $400 |
Industrial | $400 |
Web content | $400 |
Short film (40 minutes or less) | $400 |
Travel shows promoting SF (with Film Commission approval) | $115 |
Student film, with school letter confirming insurance | Waived |
Student film, without school letter or insurance | $66 |
By qualified Non-Profit Organization (only with 501c3 form) | Waived |
- Street closures (SFMTA)
- Public parks (Recreation & Parks)
- BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Other labor costs and considerations in San Francisco
Any company doing business in San Francisco for 7 or more days in a calendar year is required to register their business.
See labor requirements when you do business in San Francisco. This includes minimum wage, paid sick leave, healthcare spending, and workers' comp insurance.