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Special Events & Filming

Civic Center Plaza
1200 Third Ave., Suite 1326
San Diego, CA 92101
619-685-1331
SpecialEvents@sandiego.gov
Film@sandiego.gov

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.

March 12, 2022

June 5, 2022

July 4, 2022

October 31, 2022

December 31, 2022

ADVISORY ALERT: As a result of recent guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health (CPDH) regarding the return to usual operations for most activities, the Special Events and Filming Department per the San Diego Municipal Code is reinstating the requirement that special event permit applications are to be submitted no later than sixty (60) days prior to the actual date of your event and allows applications to be submitted as early as two years before the 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.