Permits & Local Government
Permits, made navigable
Most of the county films under two permits — City or County — and both run through this office. Everything else has its own agency, and we’ll route you to the right one, forms in hand.
The main three
Three permit paths. One office.
City and county applications both return to the Film Commission. State parks go through the California Film Commission — we’ll help with those too.
Inside Sonora city limits
City of Sonora
Application plus an insurance rider naming the City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers as additional insured, and a signed indemnification agreement. Returned to the Film Commission for processing. Encroachment or other add-on permits can add costs.
Fee$100Lead time~2 weeksThroughFilm Commission
Everywhere not city, state, or federal
Tuolumne County
One application and proof of insurance. Most of the county — Jamestown, Groveland, Tuolumne, the Highway 108 corridor — films under this permit.
FeeFreeLead time~2 weeksThroughFilm Commission
Railtown 1897 & Columbia SHP
State Parks
Both state historic parks permit through the California Film Commission’s online application. The permit itself is free; monitor and site fees can apply.
FeeFree*Lead time4+ business daysThroughCA Film Commission
Federal & other jurisdictions
Other jurisdictions, still inside the county
Forest, park, reclamation, BLM, and tribal land all sit within Tuolumne County, but each permits separately. Budget the lead time — some of these are measured in months, not days.
U.S. Forest Service
The Stanislaus National Forest covers over half the county. Applications go to the Stanislaus office; unsure whether land is public or private, ask them — or ask us.
Lead time15 business days
Yosemite National Park
Part of the park is in Tuolumne County. Application, proof of insurance, and a pre-film conference required; filming is closely regulated May–October.
Lead timeNo set timeframe
Bureau of Reclamation
New Melones Lake, its trail system, and Table Mountain. Use-authorization application through the Central California Area Office in Folsom.
Lead timeNo set timeframe
BLM — Red Hills
Red Hills near Chinese Camp is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern: application, filming description, insurance naming BLM co-insured, and a filming map, through the Mother Lode Field Office.
Lead time30–60 days
Tribal Lands
The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians holds sovereign land in the county, including the Tuolumne Rancheria. Filming there is arranged with the tribe — inquire with the Film Commission and we’ll connect you.
ThroughFilm Commission
Not sure whose land it is?
Send us the location — a pin drop is enough — and we’ll identify the jurisdiction and the permit before you commit the schedule.
Fees and lead times summarize each agency’s published guidance and can change — confirm against the current applications on the forms page before you schedule.
We’ve walked every one of these processes
Call before you fill anything out — ten minutes with us usually saves a week of paperwork.