Special Events & Filming

ADVISORY ALERT: Due to the number of events taking place in San Diego, public safety staff are not available on the following dates. Once public safety staffing for a particular date(s) has been exhausted, permit applications for the particular date(s) will no longer be accepted.

June 5, 2022

July 4, 2022

October 31, 2022

December 31, 2022

ADVISORY ALERT: Please note that a minimum of 60 days is required to submit a Special Events permit application and may be submitted as early as two years in advance of the event date. The City of San Diego will accept applications up to 30 days prior to an event with applicable late fees. Events that are less than 30 days out and do not have an application already submitted must receive approval to submit a late application from the Executive Director of the Special Events and Filming Department. Please email specialevents@sandiego.gov to request approval to submit a late application within 30 days of the event. It is strongly recommended that you submit your permit application at least 120 days prior to the proposed event date. 

Effective June 15, 2021, the submission requirements and associated fees below will be reinstated.

• $150 for applications received sixty or more days prior to an event. Applications must be substantially complete.
• $10 per business day late fee in addition to the $150 application fee for permit applications received less than sixty days prior to an event. Applications must be substantially complete.
• Proposed Fee Changes Fiscal Year 2023 - Effective July 1, 2022

Please refer to guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health (CPDH) regarding the return to usual operations for most activities with recommendations for prevention protocols and mitigation for all events. The requirements and recommendations for negative testings / vaccine verification as issued by the CDPH will be in place until further notice. 

Event organizers considering a large-scale event (including Mega Events) should consider the below protocols. While not required by the State or County Public Health Department, event organizers and film productions are strongly encouraged to have COVID prevention protocols and mitigation efforts in place in order to provide best efforts to ensure a safe event. 

• Develop a safe reopening or COVID prevention plan (will assist in workers understanding specific roles)
• Sanitation plan for restrooms (if applicable)
• Food and beverage plan that incorporates COVID prevention techniques (if applicable)
• Compliance enforcement plan
• Social distancing when possible or at pinch points
• Signage encouraging maskings if unvaccinated or other requirements as determined by organizer
• Hand sanitizer availability throughout event

Film and still photography productions are currently permitted by Public Health Officials and the City of San Diego, and must be submitted along with the required documentation outlined in the City of San Diego’s production guidelines at least three (3) full business days prior to the first date of the production (at least two weeks if the filming activity involves any water contact or smoke effects/pyrotechnics/SFX; one week if filming activity involves sidewalk, lane, or street closures, intermittent traffic control (ITC), gunfire or weapons, simulated confrontation or fight scenes, “cloned”/faux military or law enforcement personnel/vehicles, recreation of a crime, or other elements that may pose public safety risks). Productions are strongly encouraged to comply with the guidelines outlined in the County of San Diego's Safe Reopening Plan checklist. 

As with all guidance that relates to COVID-19 response, authorities will revisit this guidance on a regular basis to evaluate the continued public health need for it and to evaluate if any elements need to be changed. To stay informed, continue to monitor this link: CA Department of Public Health COVID-19 Guidance and Beyond the Blueprint Framework.