Film Locations Glossary

Site plan

What is a site plan?

Also called plot plan, or traffic plan.

A site plan is the drawing submitted with a permit application showing where the production's vehicles, equipment, base camp, and activity will sit at a location, usually to scale on a street layout.

Authorities assess parking impact, pedestrian routes, and emergency access from it. A plan that omits the actual truck line is a plan that gets approved and then contradicted on the day.

Example

The plan shows the base camp footprint, every unit vehicle in position, the pedestrian route, the generator, and emergency access. A plan that draws six trucks where twelve will park gets approved and then contradicted on the day.

Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.

Where you'll see it

Submitted with the permit application and assessed by the authority for impact and access.

Common mistake

Drawing the plan the authority will approve rather than the operation that will arrive. A plan showing six trucks where twelve will park gets contradicted on the day, in front of the monitor.

Related questions

What is on a film site plan?
Vehicle positions, equipment, base camp, the pedestrian route, the generator, and emergency access, drawn to scale on the street layout.
Why does the site plan matter so much?
It is what the permit is assessed and issued against, so the day has to match it. Anything not on the plan is unpermitted on the day.

Related terms

Written and maintained by the team at Revolution Picture Cars, who work with location and transportation departments on productions. General explanation of industry practice, not legal advice. Permit rules, fees, and consent requirements are set locally and change; confirm the current requirements with the relevant film office or permitting authority before relying on them.

Last updated August 2026.