Apply for a Film and Photography Permit
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
2. Make sure you have time to apply
To avoid late fees, apply at least 15 days before your planned project dates.
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.
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
5. Apply
6. We'll review your application
Expect a response from us in 2-3 business days.
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.
Contact Us
Phone 616.456.3378 option 3
Email specialevents@grcity.us
Location 1 Monroe Center NW
Hours of Operation
Sunday Closed
Monday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday Closed