Permit Guides

Film Permit Guides by City

Know the rules before you book.

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Los AngelesCA

FilmLA

1FilmLA is the one-stop permit office for the City and County of LA
2Permits required for most commercial filming on public and private property
3Standard permit: $625 for the first day of filming
4Apply at least 5 business days in advance
5Residential areas have additional neighbor notification requirements

Pro tip: LA is the most permit-intensive market. Budget extra lead time and budget for the $625 base fee.

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AtlantaGA

City of Atlanta Office of Film & Entertainment

1Georgia Film Office oversees statewide film activity
2City permits handled through Atlanta's Office of Film & Entertainment
3Georgia's 30% tax credit makes it the #2 filming market in the US
4Permit costs typically $100–$500 depending on scope and location

Pro tip: Georgia's tax incentives are unbeatable. Plan early — Atlanta productions are booking fast.

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New York CityNY

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME)

1Managed by NYC's Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME)
2Free permits for most filming on public property
3Apply at least 5 business days before your shoot date
4Each borough (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) has specific rules

Pro tip: NYC permits are free but logistics are complex. Parking, noise ordinances, and neighbor relations require careful planning.

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AustinTX

Austin Film Commission

1Austin Film Commission handles all city permitting inquiries
2Permits required for commercial filming on public property
3Private property filming generally does not require a city permit
4Texas has no state income tax — a significant production incentive

Pro tip: Austin's private property rules give you more flexibility than most major markets. Great for scout-and-go productions.

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MiamiFL

Miami-Dade Film Commission

1Miami-Dade Film Commission coordinates all film permits
2Permits required for filming in public spaces throughout the county
3Apply 5–10 business days in advance
4Beach and waterfront locations require additional permits from Parks & Recreation

Pro tip: Weather is your biggest wildcard in Miami. Build buffer days into your schedule.

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NashvilleTN

Nashville Film Office

1Nashville Film Office is the single point of contact for city permits
2Permits required for filming on public property in Davidson County
3Tennessee's 25% incentive program applies to qualifying productions
4Music industry ties make Nashville uniquely well-equipped for music video shoots

Pro tip: Nashville is an underrated filming market. Less competition for permits, strong local crew base.

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New OrleansLA

Louisiana Entertainment Office

1Louisiana Entertainment Office administers permits and incentives statewide
2Louisiana Entertainment tax credit: 25–40% on qualifying production spend
3One of the most generous film incentive programs in the United States
4Permits for filming on public property managed through the City of New Orleans
5Historic districts (French Quarter, Garden District) may have additional requirements

Pro tip: Louisiana's 25–40% tax credit is among the best in the country. Apply through the Louisiana Entertainment office well in advance — productions book fast.

This is general guidance. Always verify with your local film office — permit requirements change frequently.

Need help? Use our Location Concierge — we'll point you at the right city guides, contacts, and host-supplied notes for your shoot.

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