Features
CELEBRATE SAN DIEGO THROUGH SPECIAL EVENTS & FILM
Join us in celebrating San Diego, from our neighborhoods to the silver screen. Recognized for its array of festivals and sporting events of national and international stature to community based celebrations, feature films, and TV shows, the City of San Diego is proud to host thousands of events and film productions that contribute to the spirit and vitality of our city.
The Special Events & Filming Department provides a portfolio of services designed to support San Diego's neighborhoods, as well as the city's special event, filming, business, and tourism industries. Through our one-stop special event permitting process, an event organizer can work with the City to plan all aspects of their event that relate to the use of public property. Securing filming authorization on public property is quick and simple, with no-cost processing and dedicated staff to assist you along the way.
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
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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.
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.
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. |