# Film permit

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

> A film permit is official permission from a local government or its film office to film at a specific place on specific dates. It spells out what the production may do: hours, equipment, parking, street or lane closures, special effects, and police or fire staffing. Getting one usually means an application, fees, a certificate of insurance, and several business days of lead time.

## What a permit actually allows

A permit is specific. A typical Los Angeles permit for the diner shoot lists the address, dates, the hours of activity, the number of trucks and where they park, whether the production may use the sidewalk for equipment, and any conditions such as "no filming on the street after 10 PM" or "fire safety officer required for rain effects near power." Anything not on the permit isn't allowed. If the 1st AD decides at 4 PM to add a shot in the street, the permit has to be amended first, and some offices can't do that the same day.

FilmLA says a physical copy of the permit has to be on location during filming, so the location manager keeps one on set.

## Two cities side by side

| | City of Los Angeles (via FilmLA) | New York City (MOME) |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues | FilmLA, a nonprofit that coordinates permits for the City and County of LA and other jurisdictions | Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment |
| Lead time | Minimum three full business days before the first activity date | Plan ahead; fee waiver reviews take up to 3 business days |
| Insurance | $1,000,000 liability for filming, City of LA and FilmLA as additional insured | Required for permitted productions |
| Fee | Application fee plus per-service charges on FilmLA's schedule | $500 per consecutive 14-day period |

Sources: [FilmLA City of Los Angeles requirements](https://info.filmla.com/area-requirements/area-requirements-city-of-los-angeles) and [NYC MOME](https://www.nyc.gov/site/mome/permits/when-permit-required.page). Both change, so check before each shoot. The [Los Angeles](https://storiara.com/blog/film-permit-los-angeles) and [New York City](https://storiara.com/blog/film-permit-new-york-city) permit guides go deeper.

## The steps, in order

1. Lock the location and get the owner's [location release](https://storiara.com/glossary/location-release) if it's private property.
2. Ask the broker for a [certificate of insurance](https://storiara.com/glossary/certificate-of-insurance) naming whoever the permit office requires.
3. Submit the application with the site plan: where trucks, [base camp](https://storiara.com/glossary/base-camp), and equipment go.
4. Pay fees and book any required police, fire safety officers, or monitors.
5. Receive the permit, then handle [neighborhood notification](https://storiara.com/glossary/neighborhood-notification) and [parking postings](https://storiara.com/glossary/parking-permit) as the office directs.
6. Put the permit number and any conditions on the call sheet.

## Mistakes that shut shoots down

Permits that don't match what's happening on the day cause the most trouble: more trucks than permitted, filming past permitted hours, or effects not listed. The next problem is timing, with insurance certificates arriving after the deadline. Some productions skip the permit on small shoots; the risks are covered in [filming in public without a permit](https://storiara.com/blog/filming-in-public-without-a-permit). Outside LA and NYC, start with the local [film commission](https://storiara.com/glossary/film-commission), which can tell you who issues permits for a given address.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a permit to film in public?

It depends on the city and on what you bring. New York City, for example, requires a permit when you use equipment beyond a handheld camera and tripod, need parking for production vehicles, or use prop weapons or stunts. A few people with a phone on a sidewalk often fall outside permit rules, but check the local film office.

### How much does a film permit cost?

It varies widely. New York City charges $500 per consecutive 14-day period for a permit. In Los Angeles, FilmLA publishes a fee schedule with an application fee plus charges for notification, monitors, and fire safety officers. Check the current fee page before budgeting.

### How far ahead should I apply?

At least the minimum the office requires, and earlier for anything complex. FilmLA requires three full business days for City of Los Angeles location permits, and street closures or effects can take much longer.

### Does a film permit replace a location release?

No. The permit comes from the government. A private property owner's permission comes from a location release or agreement. Filming inside a private building with trucks parked on the street often needs both.

## Sources

- [FilmLA Area Requirements: City of Los Angeles](https://info.filmla.com/area-requirements/area-requirements-city-of-los-angeles)
- [NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment: When a permit is required](https://www.nyc.gov/site/mome/permits/when-permit-required.page)