A permit/location agreement from the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District) is required for filming and photography if the images or footage recorded are captured on District property for any and all types of commercial use.
Where do you want to capture commercial-use footage, film, or photos?
The District owns and operates the Golden Gate Bridge (GGB). GGB property generally includes the roadway, sidewalks, and the southeast and southwest end parking and visitor areas.
GGB South End
The general boundaries between the GGB, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), and the Presidio Trust are shown below (click here for larger map):
GGB North End
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Marin Headlands/Battery Spencer/Conzelman Road/Fort Baker/Cavallo Point areas are under GGNRA jurisdiction and its permit process. Email Melinda Moses at
mmoses@nps.gov.
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Areas under the
North Approach Viaduct of the GGB are under the jurisdiction of the District. Email
filming@goldengate.org.
Photos of the Various Locations/Jurisdictions
Southeast End - GGB Property at Flag Pole Hill
Southeast End - GGB Property near Fort Point Overlook
South End - GGB Property on roadway. Note: all cameras must be concealed in the vehicle footprint if a filming permit for the roadway is granted.
Southeast End of GGB - GGNRA Jurisdiction on Moore Road to Fort Point
Southeast End – GGNRA jurisdiction at Battery East Parking Lot
Southwest End of GGB - GGNRA Jurisdiction
Northeast End of GGB (Fort Baker) GGNRA Jurisdiction
Northeast End of GGB - Caltrans Jurisdiction at Vista Point
Timing, Permits, Agreements, and Fees for Filming and Photography on GGB Property
For the District to issue a permit/location agreement (see sample filming agreement HERE (PDF) and sample photography use license agreement HERE (PDF)), 30 days advance notice is required to arrange and plan things. We require very specialized insurance up to $5 million depending on the nature and location of the project (see sample insurance letter HERE (PDF)). Filming/photography is only permitted Monday through Friday. Filming is permitted from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in all outdoor locations and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in indoor locations.
The fees for a filming permit/location agreement are as follows (sample filming agreement):
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$10,000 per day for Motion Pictures, Movies, TV Movies, Feature Films, TV Series, Music Videos, TV Commercials, Internet, Website, or YouTube Commercials/Promotions/Films, and any other form of commercial use.
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$2,500 per day for documentary, travel, educational, or informational uses.
The fee for a photography permit/location agreement are as follows (sample photography use license agreement):
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$1,000 per day for single-use still photograph, such as a magazine cover.
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$2,000 per day for multiple images for stock photography.
Don't Fly Drones at the Golden Gate Bridge
Drones (also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems) pose a safety and security risk to the Golden Gate Bridge. They are banned from flying over or near the Bridge or other District property. Look for signs that remind people that drones are prohibited.
The Bridge is a very busy roadway, both as a transportation artery in and out of San Francisco and as an icon for the thousands of people who will visit over the holiday season. Whether due to operator error or technical problems, drones can and do fail. When they drop from the sky, they pose great risk of causing traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents, especially given the crowded conditions on the Bridge and on District property. Drones are also prohibited from flying at or near the Bridge and surrounding property for security reasons. Drones found flying near the Bridge will be tracked and the operator identified. The aircraft may be confiscated and the operator may be prosecuted. Drones are also banned from National Park Service land, which includes areas immediately surrounding the Bridge to the north and south.