San Francisco, CA

Submit an Initial Application to the Film Rebate Program at least 45 days but not more than one year PRIOR to the start of principal photography in San Francisco; apply for a Business License with the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector; locate the production office within the City and County of San Francisco; for productions with a total budget of $3 million or less, film at least 55% of principal photography in San Francisco or film at least 65% of principal photography in San Francisco for productions with a total budget of more than $3 million; comply with First Source Hiring Program requirements; utilize the services of an experienced Location Manager who is a member of the local union affiliate; submit a Final Application no more than 45 days after the completion of principal photography in San Francisco; include an acknowledgement in the end credits that the production was filmed in the City and County of San Francisco; and agree to pay all obligations the production company has incurred in the City and County.

Costs which qualify for the refund include: fees paid to City departments for the use of City property, equipment, or employees; fees paid to City departments for the use of property leased by the City; police services (on location, traffic control officers, etc.) provided that such services do not exceed four police officers per day for a total of 12 hours maximum per day that services are required; any daily use fees charged by the San Francisco Film Commission, including street closure fees.

This program is administered on a first-come, first-served basis. San Francisco offers a refund up to $600,000 per feature film, documentary, or television/web series on fees. Television series or web series are limited to $600,000 in rebate payments per season. Production days qualify on sound stages or other qualifying interiors and within the forty-nine square miles of the City and County of San Francisco. Upon meeting the filming requirements, the production company may request a refund directly from the San Francisco Film Commission of all eligible City fees. Productions with more than one hundred fifty days of principal photography in the City and County of San Francisco may apply for the rebate of costs on a rolling basis every six months. This incentive program is scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2028.