Permits

Here’s much of the information you need to start planning the perfect production in Southern Arizona. If you want further assistance we are glad to help. Please contact Peter Catalanotte, Director, at 520.770.2172 or e-mail pcatalanotte@VisitTucson.org.

Tucson and Pima County Permits and Insurance Guidelines

If you are planning a production using the property of Pima County or the City of Tucson, the Film Tucson staff guarantees the elimination of the red tape associated with local film production. We provide no-fee permits and will personally assist with location scouting as well as coordinate arrangements with Fire, Police, and Traffic Engineering Department personnel. In short, our office is well qualified to assist with all your local filming needs to ensure a happy and successful production.

Below is a summary of the necessary permits and guidelines:

City of Tucson: License/Bailment Agreement

(This does not include private property.)

Certificates of Insurance for coverage as described in the agreement shall be filed with the licensor prior to the commencement of any action under this agreement. The City of Tucson must be added as additional insured. The minimum amount of insurance is one million dollars per occurrence.

Download a PDF file of the City of Tucson License/Bailment Agreement.

Film Tucson also works closely with the Civic/Special Events Coordinator of the Tucson Police Department in determining whether barricades, traffic control devices and/or police officers are to be obtained as a condition of the permit by the production company. If you have specific questions regarding safety considerations, contact the Civic/Special Events Office at 520.837.8011 for assistance.

Pima County: Film Licensing Guidelines

(This does not include private property)

Film companies requesting the use of Pima County rights-of-way or land on which to film must complete an application for Special Use Permit and provide a Certificate of Insurance listing Pima County as additionally insured. Insurance coverage limits between one million dollars and five million dollars, depending on the type of film project.

Click here for the Pima County Commercial Filming/Still Photography Special Use Permit Application.

Non-commercial one day low-impact photography projects (such as wedding pictures, team photographs, family photos, etc.) requesting the use of Pima County properties must complete the Pima County Filming Permit Short Form and provide a Certificate of Insurance listing “Pima County and its Districts” as additionally insured.

Click here for the Pima County Filming Permit Short Form Application.

Upon completion, scan and email it to NRPR.info@pima.gov (this information is also on the form itself).

Residential Neighborhoods:

City of Tucson/Pima County guidelines for filming in residential neighborhoods and on commercial streets.

The company must meet with and explain to homeowners the extent of production within a minimum of two blocks from the location where filming is to take place. The company must meet with and receive permission from neighborhood association or individual occupants. Contact the City of Tucson Department of Neighborhood Resources at 520.837.5013 to determine what association to contact.

The company needs to supply neighborhood association, homeowner or current occupants a written filming schedule that includes dates, times, locations and any foreseen traffic problems. The company will limit all set construction on residential streets between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Production and crew vehicles must not block driveways or other accesses to homes or businesses without written permission from owners/occupants. In addition, all parking by production and crew vehicles must be in legally designated spaces. Production and crew vehicles must be identified as such by signs or stickers in the front windshield. During night filming, production and crew members must wear identification.

Any and all financial arrangements will be negotiated between the film company and the homeowners/occupants directly.

All agreements must be in place before the film company may begin construction or filming. All agreements must be in writing and supplied to homeowners/occupants/neighborhood associations as described previously under Residential Neighborhoods.

A copy of the location agreement (excluding dollar amounts or fees) between homeowner associations or individual occupants needs to be attached to the film permit and forwarded to the Film Tucson.

Film companies are required to follow the terms of this guideline to ensure issuance of a permit. A copy of the permit is available at the Film Tucson. We will assist you in accomplishing these guidelines.

State and Federal Permits and Insurance

Permits are required from the controlling government authority on the following lands. In some cases, multi-jurisdictional approvals are needed. Permits from both state and federal jurisdictions are often required for state highways through federal lands, which in particular instances also involve tribal governments. Filming on tribal lands requires the approval of the respective tribal governments as well as any additional jurisdictional authority.

State Permits:

Arizona Film & Digital Media will assist you in identifying your permitting authorities in local, state, county, federal, and tribal jurisdictions. For assistance, register your project with the state.

Arizona offers registered productions direct discounts and rebates through its Reel Savings Incentive Program. Among the savings, no-fee permit applications to film on state-owned roads, highways, and state-owned park lands. Additionally, most local jurisdictions within Arizona offer no-fee or low-fee permits. Contact the state film commission for more information or visit their website at GoFilmAZ.com.

Arizona Film & Digital Media
Arizona Commerce Authority
100 N. 7th Avenue, Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602.845.1275
info@GoFilmAZ.com

State Roadways:

For filming on all Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) maintained highways and roads, a PDF download of the State Highway Permit is available from the Arizona Office of Film & Digital Media at www.azcommerce.com/film-media/permits.

State Parks and Trails:

Arizona Parks & Trails handles permitting for all state parks. You can find permit and contact information available from Arizona Film & Digital Media at www.azcommerce.com/film-media/permits.

State Trust Land:

State Trust Land occurs sporadically throughout Arizona. Visit the State Land Department’s GIS map to find out what areas fall into this category. A link to this GIS map, as well as a PDF file of the State Land Permit, are both available from Arizona Film & Digital Media at www.azcommerce.com/film-media/permits.

State Government Buildings & Facilities:

Filming on these properties is fee-free in most instances and is facilitated through the Department of Administration with Nola Barnes at 602.542.1954.

Federal Lands:

These lands require permits issued by the respective authorities and have varying fee structures particular to each. Contact names, numbers, and directions are available through the Film Tucson and/or Arizona Film & Digital Media. (National Parks, Forests, Recreation Areas and Bureau of Land Management [BLM] controlled lands are federal.)

Native Lands:

All Native Reservations require permits issued by the respective Tribal Governments. Permit fees may be required. In some instances, other jurisdictions may be involved and also require permits. Arizona Film & Digital Media and Film Tucson will assist you with any permit.

Other Southern Arizona Cities, Towns, Counties:

There are a wide variety of local requirements for permits within these jurisdictions. In general, most require the following: a certificate of insurance naming them as “additionally insured” and “held harmless” and showing a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage.

Film Tucson and Arizona Film & Digital Media will assist you with permits in these areas.

Employment Information

Payroll Tax Information:

State Income Tax Withholding
Arizona Department of Revenue
1660 W. Monroe
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602.542.4643

State Unemployment Compensation
Arizona Department of Economic Security
1720 W. Madison
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602.542.4791

Workers Compensation Insurance
Arizona Compensation Fund
Underwriting Department
3031 N. 2nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602.631.2180

Waivers of Compensation Insurance Law
Arizona Industrial Commission
Claims Division
P.O. Box 19070
Phoenix, AZ 85005
602.542.4661

Right to Work Information:

Arizona is a right-to-work state that welcomes both union and non-union film projects. “Right-to-work” essentially means that no one can be compelled to join a union, nor can employment be withheld because of membership or non-membership in a union, and further, that it is a matter of choice for the employer, employee and the production.

It is the responsibility of each production to make the appropriate contract and hiring determinations. It should be noted that it is illegal under Federal law for an employer to discriminate in regard to hire or tenure of employment so as to encourage or discourage membership in any organization.

Child Labor Laws:

Child labor laws for the State of Arizona fall under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Industrial Commission, Labor Department. It requires that child performers in a motion picture, television, radio and theatrical productions be recorded before production commences. A letter from the production company should include the following information:

Name and address of the child performer under 18
Production name, address, and phone
Production start-up and completion dates
Location(s) of employment
Hours of employment
Other pertinent information

Send the above letter to the following:

Orlando Macias, Director
Arizona Industrial Commission
Labor Department
800 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602.542.4515
602.542.3104 fax

All current Youth Employment Laws are available for download from the website of the Arizona Office of Film & Digital Media at www.azcommerce.com/Film/

With regards to Arizona labor laws, it is inappropriate for the Film Tucson to provide legal advice. Questions regarding the State of Arizona’s labor laws can be addressed through the Attorney General’s office:

Chuck Grube
Office of the Attorney General
State of Arizona
1275 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602.542.8341
602.542.4385 fax
www.azag.gov

Film Tucson does not function in any law enforcement capacity. Law enforcement agencies are determined by jurisdictional authority predicated on a project’s filming locations, whether city, county, state, tribal or federal. Appropriately, each should be contacted directly for more information.

Firearms Laws

Arizona’s firearms laws are few and generally liberal. The following specific restrictions apply:

Concealed Weapons:

No person may carry a concealed weapon (gun, knife, nunchucks, etc.) other than a peace officer unless they have been licensed through the Department of Public Safety. A person may, however, carry a weapon in plain view except where prohibited by local ordinance. Shop owners may refuse to allow a person on their premises with a weapon or require the surrender of the weapon while on their premises.

Discharge of Guns:

The discharge of a gun may be in violation of various laws, including discharging across a highway, within 1/4 mile of a residence, in the direction of another person, and more. Most cities and towns have local ordinances against discharge within their jurisdictions.

In all cases where a production includes the discharge of a weapon, it is appropriate to contact the local police department to determine the state/local laws applicable to the area of the production.

Explosives/Fire:

The Tucson Fire Department (TFD) requires an equivalent to the State of California’s Blaster’s Card or an A.T.F. Card that licenses an individual to detonate explosive charges. Local jurisdictions may require a fireworks/pyrotechnic card as issued by the TFD. Licensed explosive and pyrotechnic personnel should always be prepared to provide copies of their California license. In all circumstances, a production company anticipating the use of explosives must contact the local Fire Chief or Fire Marshal for a permit to detonate explosive devices. Arizona has adopted and enforces the Uniform Fire Code, 1997 Edition, which is enforced by the Tucson Fire Prevention Hazardous Materials Office (520.791.4014, fax 520.791.5346) and the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 49, which governs the transportation of explosives. In Arizona, Part 49 is enforced by the Department of Public Safety/Arizona Highway Patrol.

Contact the State Fire Marshal to determine what local jurisdiction issues the appropriate permit for the area in which you’re working or for additional information. The office of the Fire Marshal should be contacted for any information concerning jurisdictional issues, local fire department contacts, and telephone numbers, or any other assistance you may require.

John Rowlinson, State Fire Marshal
99 E. Virginia, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602.255.4964
602.364.1079 direct line
602.255.4961 fax

Ray Allen, Tucson Fire Marshal
520.791.3234
520.791.3231 fax

Film Tucson offers the following services:

Scouting — Assistance with location scouting, photography, and contacts.

Liaison — Work with city, county, state and federal agencies as well as institutions and assist with individual property owners to coordinate neighborhood needs.

Production — Provide information on accommodations, equipment, crew and local suppliers. We are available 24 hours a day to troubleshoot issues.

Additionally, we provide no-fee permits, production manuals which include professionally skilled crew and reliable information regarding a Tucson shoot. We can personally assist with location scoutings as well as coordinate arrangements with Fire, Police, and Traffic Engineering Department personnel. We strive to make your location filming an efficient, cost-effective and enjoyable experience. Whatever your budget or production needs may be, Film Tucson is willing to assist you. Watch our clip reel, Tucson On Film, to see for yourself the legacy of film in Southern Arizona. Visit us on Facebook for the current film news and all the latest info on Tucson's robust local film community.