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 (Master Ordinance, page 21, Sec. G.2).
Please use the online form below to provide contact information and basic filming details to initiate the permit/agreement process.
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. Other nearby areas are under the jurisdiction of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), Caltrans, or the Presidio Trust, as specified below. We include photos below of various locations and jurisdictions.
GGB South End
The general boundaries between the GGB and GGNRA are shown below (view larger map):
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GGB areas and permit/location agreement: Email requests 30 days in advance to Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz at
pcosulich@goldengate.org.
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Photos of the Various Locations/Jurisdictions
South End
GGB property at Flag Pole Hill
GGB property near Fort Point Overlook
GGB property on roadway. Note: If a filming permit is granted, ALL cameras must be concealed in the vehicle footprint.
GGNRA jurisdiction on Moore Road to Fort Point
GGNRA jurisdiction at Battery East Parking Lot
GGNRA jurisdiction at southwest end of GGB
North End
GGNRA jurisdiction at Fort Baker
GGNRA jurisdiction at Fort Baker
Caltrans jurisdiction at Vista Point
Timing, Permits, Agreements, and Fees for Filming and Photography on GGB Property
Fees for a filming permit/location agreement are as follows:
- $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 uses.
- $2,500 per day for documentary, travel, educational, or informational uses.
Fees for a still photography permit/location agreement are as follows:
- $1,000 per day for single-use still photograph, such as a magazine cover.
- $2,000 per day for multiple images for stock photography.
Please also note the following restrictions for filming on a Golden Gate Bridge sidewalk:
- Filming is allowed only on weekdays and only on the west sidewalk during public hours (sunrise to sunset).
- Crew sizes must be kept to 5 or fewer (including cast) while on the sidewalk. Additional crew and equipment may stage in areas surrounding the Bridge.
- Carts, dollies, or other large equipment are NOT allowed on the sidewalk. Handheld equipment, such as tripods, is allowed.
- Pedestrian and bicycle access must be maintained throughout the duration of the shoot.
The District requires the following in order to issue a filming or photography permit/location agreement:
Filming & Photography Permit Request Form
Please use the form below to provide contact information and basic filming details to initiate the permit/agreement process.
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.