Permits

Dear Filmmaker:

Thank you for your interest in filming in Sonoma County, California. Our goal at the Sonoma County Film Office is to provide you with assistance that can help reduce costly delays.

To make it easier for filmmakers and photographers to navigate through Sonoma County, the various cities within the county have agreed to utilize the Unified Film Permit Application form. In general, each jurisdiction's terms and conditions are summarized in the instructions, which will help expedite the permitting process for filmmakers and photographers in the county. The organization of these instructions is outlined as:

• Permit Application
• Application Instructions and Process (1.0)
• Appendices (2.0) including Sample Documents

and Indemnification/Hold Harmless Requirements for Permitting Jurisdictions (2.1), General Conditions (restrictions, clean & restore, penalties) (2.2), Parking Plan (2.3), Special Effects (2.4); and Code of Conduct.

The appendices are intended to assist you in filling out the application and to understand the terms and conditions of each jurisdiction in Sonoma County.

A completed application and Film Production Plan requires an assortment of submittals including a description of scenes to be filmed, a detailed parking plan, and permission forms from private property and business owners affected by the film production. In all cases, applicants must agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City/County, its agents, employees and contractors from any liability and expenses arising from filming activity. In most jurisdictions a refundable cash deposit is required and insurance is required to be in effect during the entire duration of filming.

Please take a moment to review these instructions before you file your application(s), and don't hesitate to call the Sonoma County Film Office should you require assistance.

For special ordinances, fee schedules and/or
supplemental permitting information contact:

CHP - (707) 588-1400
Cloverdale - Bruce Kibby (707) 894-1721
County Roads - Kevin Lopeman (707) 565-1900
Healdsburg - Lori Moore - (707) 431-3303
Petaluma - Katie Crump (707) 778-4345
Petaluma Downtown Assoc. - (707) 762-9348
Rohnert Park - (707) 588-2240
Santa Rosa - Stephanie Acuna - (707) 543-3011
Sebastopol - Kenyon Webster (707) 823-6167
Sonoma - Deborah Rogers (707) 938-3681
Sonoma Coast/Russian River State Parks - Liz Beale (707) 865-2391
Sonoma County Regional Parks - Jill Meuchel (707) 565-2100
Town of Windsor - Pauletta Cangston - (707) 838-5332

permit application | instructions & process | appendices
sample documents | code of conduct

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