FILM LOCATIONS IN
BURBANK
Discover premier Film Locations in Burbank, the historic heart of the entertainment industry. Explore iconic backdrops and local neighborhood shooting spots.
BURBANK
FILM LOCATION SCOUTING GUIDE
“Burbank is a major production hub for the film industry, home to some of the most iconic studios in the world, including Warner Bros. Studios, Walt Disney Studios, and Universal Studios (just nearby). The city offers a wide variety of filming locations — from suburban neighborhoods and commercial districts to sound stages and backlots — making it a versatile choice for all kinds of productions.”
FILM PERMITS IN BURBANK
As a premier production hub for the motion picture and television industry, the City of Burbank is proud to offer a supportive and film-friendly environment. They actively promote a positive atmosphere for production companies and independent creators wishing to film within the city limits. A film permit is required for all commercial filming conducted in Burbank. To streamline the production process, they offer a simplified permit procedure designed to ensure that your project complies with all city regulations. Whether you’re producing a feature film, television show, commercial, or web content, their dedicated staff is available to assist you every step of the way.
Burbank Film Incentives, Subsidies & Discounts
City of BURBANK
- Business Tax Waiver: Burbank features a local business tax waiver specifically for itinerant film and television producers.
- Free Public Parking: The city does not charge production teams for using standard downtown parking structures or specific city-owned lots.
- Competitive Public Safety Rates: The Burbank Police and Fire Departments offer highly competitive staffing rates for location safety officers to keep local production costs down.
- Student & Non-Profit Discounts: Offers massive fee rollbacks down to just $25 for student film permits and heavily discounted baseline rates for verified 501(c)(3) non-profits.
State of CALIFORNIA
- Free State Property Permits: The California Film Commission provides completely free online film permits and zero location fees for all state-owned properties, highways, and parks.
- Centralized Production Support: The commission acts as a single, one-stop shop to coordinate shooting access for state roads, state structures, and public property.
- State 4.0 Tax Credit System: Fully eligible for the California Film Commission Program 4.0 system, offering a 35% base tax credit on qualified local below-the-line production expenditures.
- Relocating TV Series Bonus: Television series that relocate their principal photography to California from an outside jurisdiction receive an elevated 40% base tax credit during their first year.
- Flexible Credit Monetization: Features an elective 90% refundable tax credit option distributed over five years, allowing studio features and TV series with insufficient local tax liability to monetize their returns easily.
Learn more by visiting the California Film Commission
Fees and Timelines for Film Locations in Burbank
♦BURBANK (3)
Basic App Fee: $398 (1 to 2 days) / $707 (3 to 7 days)
(3) business days’ notice is required; (5) business days before filming on public property and/or city right-of-way
If the filming is complex, it is recommended to contact the film permit office 1 to 2 weeks before scheduling a filming date.
Burbank Film Permit Office
Area Requirements for Film Locations in Burbank
Burbank Film Permit Jurisdictions
Burbank Police Department
If your filming or parking of equipment/production vehicles are on public property, a least one Burbank Police Officer will be assigned. Additional police officers may be assigned if the filming activity warrants it.
Interior filming on private or public property usually requires a Fire Safety Officer. The permit will be reviewed by the Burbank Fire Department.
Burbank Fire Department
If filming occurs on private or public property, a Fire Safety Officer is usually assigned. The permit will be reviewed by the Fire Film Safety Office and a determination will be made based on film activity, location, and cast/crew size.
Burbank Fire Film Safety Office at (818) 238-FIRE (3473) or BFDfilming@burbankca.gov
Burbank Fire Safety Office
Burbank Unified School District (5)
A license agreement for the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) is required for use of any property owned by the district.
After your request receives initial support from the school liaison, complete and submit the license application to FilmLA. They require a minimum of (5) five business days to process BUSD license applications.
Note: You will need a permit from the City of Burbank and a license from the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) to film on any BUSD property, as they require their own specific application and agreement for filming on school grounds. You can apply for the BUSD license through FilmLA, and the city permit through the City of Burbank Film Permit Office.
Burbank Parks & Recreation
Burbank Parks and Recreation operates and maintains a total of 42 parks and facilities. Included are 27 parks, 15 ball fields, 4 recreation/community centers, 2 older adult centers, 1 performing art theater, 2 swimming pools, a skate/BMX park, a roller hockey rink, a tennis center, an 18-hole golf course, an outdoor amphitheater, a nature center, and the Burbank Animal Shelter.
Caltrans Highways & Freeways (4)
Basic App Fee: $0
*Caltrans does charge a review fee, as well as an inspection fee for complex requests.
(4) business days prior to start.
(15) for requests involving freeway ramps and lane closures.
(15-30) for requests involving road closures.
CFC Film Permit Office
California Highway Patrol - Media Relations
Officer Jon Dockweiler
CHP Media Relations Officer
Type of monitor determined by CHP Liaison.
CHP Monitor Fees
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