# Location release

Source: https://storiara.com/glossary/location-release
Last updated: 2026-09-14
Author: Spencer Kaufman, Storiara

> A location release is a short agreement in which a property owner or authorized tenant gives a production permission to enter, prep, film, and strike at a property on set dates, and to use the footage of that property in the finished work forever. It usually states the fee, insurance, and responsibility for damage.

## The clauses, in plain terms

Wording varies by lawyer and studio. The summaries below explain what the common clauses do, and none of it is legal advice.

| Clause | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Grant of access | The production can bring cast, crew, and equipment onto the property for the listed prep, shoot, and strike dates |
| Dates and hours | "Prep March 8, shoot March 9 to 10, strike March 11," plus a clause allowing extra days if weather or schedule changes (often at a set fee) |
| Use of footage | The production owns the footage and may use the property's appearance in the film and its advertising, in all media, forever |
| Name and address | Whether the production can show signage or use the property's real name; many releases say it may, or may disguise it |
| Fee | The [location fee](https://storiara.com/glossary/location-fee) and when it's paid (commonly a portion on signing and the rest after strike) |
| Alterations and restoration | The production may move furniture or paint with approval and must return the property to its original condition |
| Liability and insurance | The production carries liability insurance and is responsible for damage it causes; a [certificate of insurance](https://storiara.com/glossary/certificate-of-insurance) is often attached |
| Authority | The signer promises they have the right to grant this |
| No injunction | If there's a dispute, the owner can seek money but can't stop the film from being released |

## A filled-in top section

```
Property: Rosie's Diner, 1140 Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA
Owner/authorized party: Linda Cho, owner (Rosie's Food LLC)
Producer: Long Drive Productions LLC   Project: THE LONG DRIVE
Prep: 3/8 (6 AM to 6 PM)   Shoot: 3/9 to 3/10   Strike: 3/11
Fee: $2,500/shoot day, $1,000 prep and strike days. Total $7,000
Contact on the day: Marco (manager), (213) 555-0126
```

## Mistakes the location department sees

The wrong signer tops the list: a restaurant manager who doesn't own the building, or a tenant whose lease bars filming. Next is dates that don't include prep and strike, so the art department arrives on a day the release doesn't cover. Missing before-and-after photos make damage claims a matter of memory. And a release naming an individual producer instead of the production company can cause [chain of title](https://storiara.com/glossary/chain-of-title) questions at delivery.

## Release or agreement

For a living room on a short, a one-page release does the job. For a working business, a multi-day shoot, or anything involving alterations, holding days, or overtime charges, productions use a longer [location agreement](https://storiara.com/glossary/location-agreement). The [location release form template](https://storiara.com/templates/location-release-form) is a starting point, and the [location release forms guide](https://storiara.com/blog/location-release-forms) covers negotiation.

In Storiara's [locations module](https://storiara.com/feature/locations) each location card holds the address on a map, scouting photos, a parking map, and availability dates. Keep the signed release itself with the production's legal paperwork.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who should sign a location release?

Someone with the legal authority to grant access: the owner, or a tenant whose lease allows it, or a manager with written authority from the owner. A renter's signature alone may not be enough; ask whether the lease permits it.

### Do I need a location release to film in a friend's apartment?

Yes, if the footage will be shown publicly. Friends move, sell, or fall out, and distributors ask for releases for identifiable private property. A one-page release with a nominal fee is enough for most shorts.

### Is a location release the same as a film permit?

No. The release is permission from the property owner. A film permit is permission from the city or county to film in public space or with equipment and parking that affect the public. Many shoots need both.