Closing or partially closing a Berkeley street for filming requires an extended BMC 9.78 permit lead time and coordination with Berkeley Public Works and Police. Major or collector street closures, and any rerouting of AC Transit service, need at least 7 business days' notice; minor street closures need at least 3 business days.
BMC 9.78.030 specifies the tiered filming permit lead times that govern street closures. Major or collector street closures (and any reroute of AC Transit lines) require at least seven business days prior to filming; closure or partial closure of any other street requires at least three business days. The application must include a traffic-management plan, and Berkeley Police Department typically requires sworn-officer coverage at intersections — billed back to the production at actual cost. Indemnification and bonding requirements under BMC 9.78.100 must be met before a closure is approved, and the permittee must reimburse the city for any damage to city property under BMC 9.78.100. BMC 9.78.120 authorizes City Council to set permit and special-parking authorization fees by resolution; current rates are published by the Berkeley Film Office and Visit Berkeley.
Closing a street without the BMC 9.78 permit, or exceeding the closure scope authorized in the permit, is enforced under BMC Title 1 — administrative citations up to $500, possible misdemeanor citation, summary suspension of the permit, and liability for police overtime and damages. Productions remain liable to reimburse the city for any actual repair or restoration cost under BMC 9.78.100.
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