Apply for a Film and Photography Permit

Step 1.Check if your project is eligible

You'll need a permit if any of the following apply to your project:

• Traffic will be interrupted on the City streets
• Pedestrian traffic will be interrupted on the sidewalks
• A tripod or dolly is used on sidewalks, streets, or alleys
• A generator is used on a sidewalk, street, or alley
• Filming or photography will take place in a moving vehicle on a street or down an alley
• Filming or photography takes place on public property
• Public parking will be impacted

Step 2.Make sure you have time to apply

To avoid late fees, apply at least 15 days before your planned project dates.

Step 3.Make sure you have your payment ready

You'll need to enter your credit/debit card information to pay the non-refundable $25 application fee. We accept Visa or MasterCard for online payments. 

Step 4.Create a site map

If you're done with all your planning, create a site map of each filming location. If you need more time to plan the remaining details, don't worry. You have until 15 days before your first filming date to submit this to us. Whenever you are ready, your site map should include:

• Names of all surrounding streets
• One-way streets
• Parking restrictions and/or controls (parking, meters, peak hour restrictions, etc.
• Use of RAPID bus zones
• Hooding of parking meters, or use of no-parking barricades in non-metered areas (indicate with an “x”)
• Location(s) of camera(s)
• Street closures or intermittent traffic control
• Sidewalk closures or intermittent pedestrian control
• Truck and crew parking
• Base camp
• Catering location(s)
• Direction of moving vehicles for driving shots
• Indicated location of generator
• Portable bathrooms

Step 5.Apply online

Step 6.We'll review your application

 Expect a response from us in 1-2 business days.

Step 7.Keep us in the loop

Need to make any changes or cancellations to your original application? Submit these to us in writing. We'll review and approve them. Depending on the scope of the changes, there may be an additional fee.

Step 1.Check if your project is eligible

You'll need a permit if any of the following apply to your project:

• Traffic will be interrupted on the City streets
• Pedestrian traffic will be interrupted on the sidewalks
• A tripod or dolly is used on sidewalks, streets or alleys
• A generator is used on a sidewalk, street, or alley
• Filming or photography will take place in a moving vehicle on a street or down an alley
• Filming or photography takes place on public property
• Public parking will be impacted

Step 2.Make sure you have time to apply

To avoid late fees, apply at least 15 days before the planned project dates.

Step 3.Make sure you have your payment ready

Expect to pay a $25 non-refundable, non-transferable application fee. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover or MasterCard. 

Step 4.Create a site map

If you're done with all your planning, create a site map of each filming location. If you need more time to plan the remaining details, don't worry. You have until 15 days before your first filming date to submit this to us. Whenever you are ready, your site map should include:

• Names of all surrounding streets
• One-way streets
• Parking restrictions and/or controls (parking, meters, peak hour restrictions, etc.
• Use of RAPID bus zones
• Hooding of parking meters, or use of no-parking barricades in non-metered areas (indicate with an “x”)
• Location(s) of camera(s)
• Street closures or intermittent traffic control
• Sidewalk closures or intermittent pedestrian control
• Truck and crew parking
• Base camp
• Catering location(s)
• Direction of moving vehicles for driving shots
• Indicated location of generator
• Portable bathrooms

Step 5.Give us a call

Call us at the phone number listed in the Contact Us section for help completing the form.

Step 6.We'll review your application

 Expect a response from us in 2-3 business days.

Step 7.Keep us in the loop

Need to make any changes or cancellations to your original application? Submit these to us in writing. We'll review and approve them. Depending on the scope of the changes, there may be an additional fee.

Step 1.Check if your project is eligible

You'll need a permit if any of the following apply to your project:

• Traffic will be interrupted on the City streets
• Pedestrian traffic will be interrupted on the sidewalks
• A tripod or dolly is used on sidewalks, streets, or alleys
• A generator is used on a sidewalk, street, or alley
• Filming or photography will take place in a moving vehicle on a street or down an alley
• Filming or photography takes place on public property
• Public parking will be impacted

Step 2.Make sure you have time to apply

To avoid late fees, apply at least 15 days before the planned filming dates. Applications submitted less than 90 days before are subject to application fees.

Step 3.Make sure you have your payment ready

Expect to pay a $25 non-refundable, non-transferable application fee. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover or MasterCard. 

Step 4.Create a site map

If you're done with all your planning, create a site map of each filming location. If you need more time to plan the remaining details, don't worry. You have until 15 days before your first filming date to submit this to us.Whenever you are ready, your site map should include:

• Names of all surrounding streets
• One-way streets
• Parking restrictions and/or controls (parking, meters, peak hour restrictions, etc.
• Use of RAPID bus zones
• Hooding of parking meters, or use of no-parking barricades in non-metered areas (indicate with an “x”)
• Location(s) of camera(s)
• Street closures or intermittent traffic control
• Sidewalk closures or intermittent pedestrian control
• Truck and crew parking
• Base camp
• Catering location(s)
• Direction of moving vehicles for driving shots
• Indicated location of generator
• Portable bathrooms

Step 5.Complete the application by visiting our office

Come to our office to fill out the application. We're located at the address listed in the Contact Us section. Our office hours are 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Please call in advance so we can ensure someone is available to assist you. 616-456-3378 (option 3)

Step 6.We'll review your application

Expect a response from us in 2-3 business days.

Step 7.Keep us in the loop

Need to make any changes or cancellations to your original application? Submit these to us in writing. We'll review and approve them. Depending on the scope of the changes, there may be an additional fee.