Permits & Contacts/ Media Resources

If you do not find what you need, please contact Deborah Albre at the Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau at 415-925-2060x10.

Marin County’s stunning natural landscaping, sprinkled with unique and diverse towns and communities throughout, makes it an ideal choice for filmmakers and travel writers of all sorts.

Boasting with lush green hills, ancient redwood forests, miles of coastline, bird habitats, historic buildings, quaint downtown theatres and an array of seasonal street festivals, Marin County is home to many renowned film festivals itself, including:

- Italian Film Festival
- Jewish Film Festival
- Latino Film Festival
- Marin Environmental Film Festival
- Mill Valley Film Festival
- Tiburon International Film Festival

The Marin County Film Resource Center is a department that operates under the Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau which was created to serve as an informational resource to the film industry. We are pleased to provide film scouts and production crews with appropriate contact and permit information if planning to film in any public space throughout Marin County. We are a current member of both FLICS and the CFC. Please feel free to visit any of the following resources:

The California Film Commission offers free on-line permitting for all state property including state parks and beaches, freeways, roads, and government buildings. From hospitals and prisons to back roads and mountain ranges, the California Film Commission helps filmmakers gain access to the perfect locations.
Cinemascout is their on-line database featuring California locations available for filming. They also host visitors at their on-site Location Resource Center for personalized assistance when searching for locations.

California Announces Film Tax Credit
On February 20, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation creating tax credits for film and television productions as part of an economic stimulus provision in the new state budget. The California Film Commission has developed program guidelines and application procedures and are ready to assist you. For more information, click on the following link: www.film.ca.gov/Incentives.

July 2, 2009/Production Alert:  Beginning August 2009 and continuing through June 2010 the CFC will be closed on the first, second and third Fridays of each month. Due to the shortened work schedule, all permit applications must be submitted four (4) business days (weekends and holidays are not business days) prior to the first prep/shoot day. (For road closures a meeting is required at least twelve (12) business days in advance of prep/shoot.)
If you have any critical issues (weather, fires, or other serious situation) with meeting the four day advance notice requirement, please call the appropriate state film permit coordinator who will advise you as to how to proceed.

The Marin Film Resource Center has partnered with the Film Liaisons in California Statewide as a network of regional film offices and commissions that work cooperatively with the California Film Commission. Our objective is to retain, attract and facilitate feature film, television commercial and print media production in California.

The Reel Directory: Northern California's One Stop Production Resource for Crews, Equipment & Support Services. Serving the Bay Area for 30+ years.

iVisual: An Art Department Resource Guide for Design Media Professional containing Props, Wardrobe, Special Effects and more.

Propville Directory: A Northern California production directory for props, wardrobe + gear, locations, crew and help.

Lynne Morin at the County Film Center offers a unique one-stop shop for all filming and production requirements. Call 415-927-4300 for more information.

Baldwin Productions Services provides locations for Commercial Media.

Mindy Canter with All Location Properties: Creative, experienced, well-connected Location Scout/ Real Estate Broker with over 35 years experience for all media. Exclusive locations. Huge database of contacts. Estates, houses, interiors/exteriors, urban/suburban, commercial/ industrial properties, ranches, farms, forests, mountains, coast, views. Call 415- 388-8059 or email mcanter1@comcast.net


Film Permit Applications

Film contacts, permit application contacts and downloadable permit applications are listed here by city or park in Marin County. You must have Adobe Reader to open the PDFs. Get a free download at: Adobe.

Filming in Corte Madera

For the Corte Madera Film Permit Application, click on:
CorteMaderaFilmShootApp.pdf

For additional assistance with filming in Corte Madera, contact:
Mario Fiorenzini, Film Coordinator/Director of Parks & Recreation
Corte Madera Parks & Recreation
Phone: 415-927-5072
Email: mfiorenzini@ci.corte-madera.ca.us

Filming in Fairfax

For the Fairfax Film Permit Application, click on:
FairfaxFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

For additional assistance with filming in Fairfax, contact:
Judy Anderson, Town Clerk
Town of Fairfax
Phone: 415-453-1584
Email: janderson@townoffairfax.org

Cynthia Powell, Community Services Office
Fairfax Police Department
Phone: 415-458-2353
Email: cpowell@fairfaxpd.org

Filming in Larkspur

For the Larkspur Film Permit Application, click on:
LarkspurFilmShootApp.pdf

For additional assistance with filming in Larkspur, contact:
Joan Lang
City of Larkspur
Phone: 415-927-5024
Email: jlang@larkspurcityhall.org

Filming in Mill Valley

For the Mill Valley Film Permit Application and Business License Forms, click on:
MillValleyFilm-PhotoShtApp.pdf

For additional assistance with filming in Mill Valley, contact:
Regarding Authorization & Rates:
Christine Sansom, Director of Parks & Recreation
Mill Valley Parks & Recreation Department
Phone: 415-383-1370 ext. 101
Email: csansom@cityofmillvalley.org

Permit & Business License Information:
Liz Miller, Permit & Business License Coordinator
Phone: 415-388-4033
Email: lizmiller@cityofmillvalley.org

Public Works Officer who reviews permits, evaluates traffic/parking/etc.:
Julie McClure, Public Works
Email: jmcclure@cityofmillvalley.org

Filming in Novato

For the Novato Film Permit Application, click on:
Novato Film Permit and Hold Harmless.pdf

For additional assistance with filming in Novato, contact:
Sergeant Oliver Collins
Novato Police Department, 909 Machin Ave
Phone: 415-899-7026
Email: ocollins@ci.novato.ca.us

Filming in Ross

For the Ross Film Permit Application, click on:
Filming Motion Pictures, Still Pictures or Television
Ross Town Hall
Police Cheif Jim Rice
31 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (at corner of Lagunitas Road)
Ross, CA  94957
(415) 453-1453 ext. 101
www.townofross.org

Filming in San Anselmo

For the San Anselmo Photo Shoot/Film Permit Application, click on:
San AnselmoFiim-PhotoShtApp.pdf 

(Please note: On page 1 of their application, it asks for # of essential vehicles and # of non-essential vehicles. To find out what qualifies for essential or non-essential, you must contact Dana directly as this portion will go through their Ordinance Office.)

For additional assistance with filming in San Anselmo, contact:
Dana Unruh, Film Permit Contact
San Anselmo Police Department
Phone: 415-258-4610
Email: dunruh@sananselmopd.org

Filming in San Rafael

For the San Rafael Film Permit Application, click on:
SanRafaelFilmShootBizLicApp.pdf
For the San Rafael Parade Permit Application, click on:
Parade+Permit.pdf

Find photos and more on filming in San Rafael by going to: www.sanrafaelfilm.com

For additional assistance with filming in San Rafael, contact:
Brian Auger, Events Coordinator & Film Contact
City of San Rafael — Redevelopment Agency
Phone: 415-485-3465
Email: brian.auger@ci.san-rafael.ca.us

Filming in Tiburon

For the Tiburon Film Permit Application, click on:
TiburonFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

For additional assistance with filming in Tiburon, contact:
Joan Palmero, Office Assistant III
Town of Tiburon
Phone: 415-435-7373
Email: jpalmero@ci.tiburon.ca.us

Filming in West Marin

Bolinas: Bolinas Fire Cheif Anita Brown (415) 868-1566
Fairfax-Bolinas Road: MMWD, Bill Hogan (415) 945-1187
Marshall: Ann Grymes (415) 663-1558
Nicasio: Primary, "Spike" Drady (415) 662-2276 or John Wick (415) 662-9820
Point Reyes Station: Pulbic Works Dept (415) 499-6528 or Land Dev/Engineer (415) 499-3755
Tomales: Bert Crews (415) 497-9303 or (707) 878-2927 Email: brcrews@mac.com Website:  http://www.bertcrews.com/tfc.pdf
Other areas: Check with DPW staff on special requirements - Film Commissioner Kevin McKay (415) 464-5111
Click here for all West Marin Film Permit Regulations

Filming in Marin County National Parks

1. Filming in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA)
Find more information on filming in GGNRA areas by going to:
www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/permits.htm

Film Permit Applications:
- For GGNRA Small Film or Photo Shoot Application, click on:
GGNRASmlFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

- For GGNRA Large Film or Photo Shoot Application, click on:
GGNRALrgFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

For additional assistance with filming in GGNRA North of the Golden Gate Bridge, contact:
Alexandra Picavet, Event Specialist
Special Parks Uses Office
Phone: 415-561-4301
Email: alexandra_picavet@nps.gov 

2. Filming in Point Reyes National Seashore
Film Permit Application available through Kevin Mckay only.

For all inquiries regarding filming in Point Reyes, contact:
Kevin McKay, Park Special Uses Coordinator
Special Park Uses Office
Phone: 415-464-5111
Email: kevin_mckay@nps.gov

3. Filming in Muir Woods National Monument
For all commercial media inquiries contact:
Alexandra Picavet, Event Specialist
Special Parks Uses Office
Phone: 415-561-4301
Email: alexandra_picavet@nps.gov

Film Permit Applications:
- For GGNRA Small Film or Photo Shoot Application, click on:
GGNRASmlFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

- For GGNRA Large Film or Photo Shoot Application, click on:
GGNRALrgFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

Find more information on filming in GGNRA areas by going to:
http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/permit-forms.htm

For all public service media inquiries contact:
Mia Monroe, Special Events Coordinator
Special Events Office
Phone: 415-388-2596
Email: mia_monroe@nps.gov
(Permits not required for public service related photos and filming.)

Filming in Marin County State Parks

1. Filming in Angel Island State Park
For all inquiries contact:
David Kopler, Film & Events Coordinator
California State Parks Marin District
Phone: 415-898-4362 ext. 23
Email: dkopler@parks.ca.gov

2. Filming in China Camp State Park
For all inquiries contact:
David Kopler, Film & Events Coordinator
California State Parks Marin District
Phone: 415-898-4362 ext. 23
Email: dkopler@parks.ca.gov

3. Filming in Marconi Conference Center State Park
For all inquiries contact:
David Kopler, Film & Events Coordinator
California State Parks Marin District
Phone: 415-898-4362 ext. 23
Email: dkopler@parks.ca.gov

4. Filming in Mount Tamalpais State Park (Mt. Tam)
Permits may be required through both Mt. Tamalpais State Park Office and Golden Gate National Recreation Area Office (GGNRA) based on exact location of shoot.
o    David Kopler, Film & Events Coordinator
California State Parks Marin District
Phone: 415-898-4362 ext. 23
Email:dkopler@parks.ca.gov

- For GGNRA Small Film or Photo Shoot Application, click on:
GGNRASmlFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

- For GGNRA Large Film or Photo Shoot Application, click on:
GGNRALrgFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

Find more information on filming in GGNRA areas by going to:
http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/permit-forms.htm

5. Filming in Olompali State Historic Park
For all inquiries contact:
David Kopler, Film & Events Coordinator
California State Parks Marin District
Phone: 415-898-4362 ext. 23
Email: dkopler@parks.ca.gov

6. Filming in Samuel P. Taylor State Park
For all inquiries contact:
David Kopler, Film & Events Coordinator
California State Parks Marin District
Phone: 415-898-4362 ext. 23
Email: dkopler@parks.ca.gov

7. Filming in Tomales Bay State Park
For all inquiries contact:
David Kopler, Film & Events Coordinator
California State Parks Marin District
Phone: 415-898-4362 ext. 23
Email: dkopler@parks.ca.gov

Filming in Marin County Open Spaces & County Roads

1. Filming in Marin Municipal Water District
For all inquiries contact:
Laurie Offenbach, Film Permit Coordinator
Marin Municipal Water District
Phone: 415-945-1180
Email: loffenbach@marinwater.org

2. Filming on County Roads and Highways in Unincorporated Areas
of Marin County

- For Film and Encroachment Permit Regulations, click on:
MarinCountyFilmPermitRegs.pdf

For additional assistance with filming on open roads in Marin County, contact:
Berenice Davidson, Civil Engineer
Marin County Department of Public Works
Phone: 415-499-3770
Email: bdavidson@co.marin.ca.us

Once the application and paperwork has been approved through the county, coordination of the actual filming on roads or highways may be made by contacting:

Officer Powell
California Highway Patrol
Phone: 415-924-1100 ext. 216
Email: jpowell@chp.ca.gov

Filming on the Golden Gate Bridge
For all inquiries contact:
Mary Currie, Public Affairs Director
Phone: 415-923-2222
Email: mcurrie@goldengate.org, 30-day advance request required

Filming in Stinson Beach
- For Film Permit Regulations, click on:
MarinCountyFilmPermitRegs.pdf

For additional assistance with filming in Stinson Beach, contact:
Berenice Davidson, Civil Engineer
Marin County Department of Public Works
Phone: 415-499-3770
Email: bdavidson@co.marin.ca.us

For additional assistance with area contacts and information about Stinson Beach, contact:
John Posades, President
Stinson Beach Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 415-868-1330
Email: sbcc@stinson-beach.org

3. Filming at San Quentin State Prison
For all inquiries contact:
Sam Robinson, Public Information Officer
San Quentin State Prison
Phone: 415-455-5000
Email: samuel.robinson@cdcr.ca.gov


Film Permit Applications — PDFs:

1. Corte Madera
Corte Madera Film Shoot Application

2. Fairfax
Fairfax Film or Photo Shoot Application

3.  Larkspur
Larkspur Film or Photo Shoot Application

4. Mill Valley
Mill Valley Film or Photo Shoot Application

5. Novato
Novato Film or Photo Shoot Application

6. San Anselmo
San Anselmo Film or Photo Shoot Application

7. San Rafael
San Rafael Film Shoot Business License Application

8. Tiburon
TiburonFilm-PhotoShootApp.pdf

9. County of Marin
Marin County Film & Encroachment Permit Application

10. Golden Gate National Recreation Area
GGNRA Large Film or Photo Shoot Application
GGNRA Small Film or Photo Shoot Application
Additional GGNRA Permit Information

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