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Permits

Land Use permits are required for the following activities:

  • commercial filming
  • photography
  • group activities with more than 20 participants
  • group activities of any size that are hosted by a commercial business
  • scientific research activities

Apply for a Land Use permit using this form.

For questions, contact our watershed team at 415.945.1180. You can read more about Marin Water’s Land Use Regulations here.

Filming

All fees must be paid in advance and are subject to change.

  • $2,000 per day, or for any part of day
  • $1,000 to $2,000 per day for setup in preparation of filming
  • $1,000 to $2,000 per day for takedown, prop removal, or cleanup
  • $2,000 per day for helicopter landing at designated helipad only. Refueling helicopters on the watershed is not permitted.
  • $116.16 per hour, per staff person for on-site monitoring, which may be required based on the scope of the project and the determination of the watershed manager. This rate shall be adjusted annually based on district costs, including vehicle rates and overhead charges.

Photography

  • $100 to $1,000 per day, depending upon the scope of the project.

Group Activities

  • For group activities with more than 20 participants, a $150 fee will be assessed.

Cancellations

Cancellations must be made at least three days prior to filming date in order to receive a full refund. Cancellations less than three days prior to the filming date will receive a 50 percent refund. Please note that cancellations made on the scheduled filming date may be subject to an additional charge of four hours of the district’s staff time at $116.16 per hour.

Thank you for your interest in conducting scientific activities within Marin Water lands. We recognize the unique opportunities for research, monitoring, and biological collecting within the Mt. Tamalpais watershed. We encourage efforts to increase understanding of the ecology found within the lands and waters we manage. We balance those goals with our primary purpose of protecting water quality and the resources entrusted to us.

Please complete and return Marin Water's Collecting and Research Guidelines and Permit Application. Fill out one application for each experiment or activity you would like to conduct. It is advisable to get a preliminary assessment of your proposal before you complete the application. Please contact us at 415.945.1180 for assistance.