Caltrans Highways & Freeways

California Film Commission (CFC) Caltrans Permit Coordinator
Alfonso Casey
Tel: 323.817.4104

Caltrans District 7 & Statewide Film Permit Coordinators
Tuan Hua
Cell: 661.305.1125

California Highway Patrol
Statewide Film Media Relations
Officer Jonathon Dockweiler
Cell: 213.703.2070

Online Permit Application

Caltrans District Map

When you have questions about a specific Caltrans location, start with a call to Caltrans Statewide Film Coordinator, Charles Keeling or Tuan Hua – not the Caltrans district representative. Verbal consent from a District Engineer does not constitute automatic approval of a permit. There may be other factors involved.

If you have any questions about the permit process or insurance requirements, call Alfonso Casey at the CFC at 323-817-4104.

Online Permit Application  |  Application Help

• Permit applications must be submitted to the CFC at least four business days (or 96 business hours) in advance of an activity. Requests for the use of UAS/drones and freeway/road closures must be submitted twelve (12) business days in advance. If, however, all required documents are submitted in a timely manner and Caltrans is satisfied with the description of proposed activities, the turnaround time could be shorter.
• Pay special attention to the times and dates being requested – especially if the time noted runs into the next day. For example, if you’re requesting May 11 from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., you are actually requesting May 11 and May 12.
• Be aware that requests that are too broad may be denied. For example, the 12-hour activity window being requested may be rejected; whereas, the four-hour window of time actually needed for an activity may be accepted.
• When filling out applications, be as specific as possible. Include date(s), times, number of cast, crew and background players as well as activities. Do not give a range of dates. Caltrans cannot place “holds.” Indicate whether this is for a full closure, if you will require ITC (intermittent traffic control), rolling breaks, a CHP escort or if you will be filming with the flow of traffic. Indicate whether you will be doing car-to-car filming and if the camera car will have an arm attachment. Will you be bringing in a crane? Will you be shooting from a helicopter? Will pyrotechnics and/or stunt work be involved?
• Include details such as cross streets and mile markers. When requesting to film on freeway exits, specify the name of the off-ramp rather than the exit number.
• Understand that numerous revisions submitted late in the process may require a new permit and the start of another 4-day approval process.
• Note that the CFC does not issue retroactive permits.
• When emailing the CFC, always include permit number in the subject line.

An applicant may be instructed to apply for separate permits under the following conditions:

• A request includes the use of a freeway and a state highway (even if they’re in the same district).
• A request includes an activity on a state bridge that requires special considerations (more than merely driving with the flow of traffic).
• A request includes locations that require road or ramp closures.
• A request includes multiple locations, activities and dates.

Insurance Requirements for Filming on State Property

The #1 reason permits are delayed or denied is incorrect or missing insurance documents. We recommend emailing these requirements to your insurance broker.

List of Brokers That Offer Both Long- and Short-Term Production Insurance

There is no charge for the California Film Commission permit. However, Caltrans does charge a review fee, as well as an inspection fee for complex requests. Please note that Caltrans inspection fees are charged at time-and-a-half for weekend work and work done outside of normal business hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) on weekdays.

Production companies are required to make arrangements for the assignment of CHP officers directly with the CHP State Film Liaison, Officer Jonathon Dockweiler at 213.703.2070.

Monitor and Inspection Fees for Caltrans and CHP

Submissions for permits that include the use of UAS over Caltrans property will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Guidelines for the Use of UAS over Caltrans Property

UAS operators must adhere to all current and future FAA mandated rules with regard to distances from airports, military installations and any person(s) or property.

It is the responsibility of the permittee to obtain all necessary jurisdictional approvals and to submit a detailed description of planned flight operations (including diagrams, charts, and maps as applicable) and proof of required insurance coverage within a timely manner.

Requests to film outside of District 7 headquarters at 100 S. Main Street in downtown Los Angeles should be directed to Tuan Hua or Charles Keeling, who will work with Caltrans Facilities staff to review all requests. A walk-through with Caltrans personnel will be required to determine the impact of the proposed production activities. As Caltrans’ right-of-way extends to portions of the sidewalk surrounding the perimeter of the building, a Caltrans permit may be required (as well as a city permit through FilmLA). Depending on the impact to the building/plaza/driveways, review and monitor fees may also be required.

Minor revisions must be submitted online. They are often accepted and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A new permit application, and possibly the beginning of a new 4-day approval process, may be requested if:

• The original application has been approved and a permit has already been issued.
• There is a change of location and/or Caltrans district.
• There are too many major changes.
• Days are added that do not occur within the same week as the original permit.
• The change entails a closure (which requires a 12-day approval process).

Keep in mind that revisions involving additional locations may necessitate:

• Additional CHP officers. If you have any questions about CHP involvement in your production, feel free to contact Officer Ian Ramer.
• A Caltrans inspector as well as added fees.

Permits/revisions may be denied:

• If applications and/or changes are submitted too late and too close to the shoot date (especially those requiring freeway closures).
• If there are extenuating circumstances (ongoing construction, public events, weather conditions, etc.).
• If there are safety concerns about your proposed activities.
• Due to other agency considerations (such as LAX and the Port).
• By the area engineer.
• If your certificate of insurance is not complete.
• If fees have not been paid.

There is a 12 business day approval process for freeway closures, but if you know more than 12 business days in advance that you will be asking for a closure, submit your permit application as soon as possible. At least one meeting with Caltrans, CHP, Fire and CFC personnel may be needed to discuss logistics. (See below for more information on freeway closure meetings.)

Note that Caltrans will only close freeways on weekends – never during the workweek. And they will not close a freeway two weekends in a row. This practice is meant to minimize the inconvenience to motorists and area residents and to insure that certain freeways are not overused for filming – thus remaining available to productions in the future.

Freeways will not be closed for rehearsals. Exceptions are rare.

You will be given a Freeway Closure Etiquette sheet to attach to your call sheets for the day(s) you will be filming on the freeway.

If you are planning a freeway closure, talk to David Booth at the CFC (after submitting your application) about setting up a meeting. Participating in the meeting will be members of the CFC, Caltrans and CHP as well as the Deputy State Fire Marshal (as needed). Also joining the meeting should be:

• All relevant members of the production team (location manager, UPM, line producer, 1st AD, transportation coordinator, stunt coordinator)
• A representative from your permit company, if applicable
• A representative from your barricade company
• A representative from any relevant agency (LAX, Metro, etc.)

A representative from the affected city will be notified and invited to the meeting, but you should also notify the city where your proposed filming activities will occur.

During the meeting, you will be informed of approximately how many CHP officers will be required and if CMS (changeable message signs) will be needed.

• Keep a printed copy of your permit with you on location at all times.
• Be advised that on the day of your shoot – if it is foggy, if it rains or has stopped raining but the surface of the freeway/road is still wet, your shoot will be canceled.
• Set lighting (such as Bebee lights) can never face ongoing traffic.
• Production vehicles driving onto closed sections of freeway should have placards on the windshield identifying the show/production, so CHP officers will know they’re authorized to drive into restricted areas.
• An 11-foot fire/emergency lane must remain accessible on closed freeways. If production or picture vehicles are parked on the shoulder, the keys must remain in the vehicles, so they may quickly be moved if necessary.
• Closed freeways may never be used as base camps. Only essential production vehicles (portable restrooms and necessary equipment trucks) will be allowed on the freeway.