Permits for Filming and Photography

A permit is generally not required for personal, noncommercial filming and photography activities within normal visitation areas and hours. However, filming outside normal visitation areas and hours and all commercial filming will require a special permit.

Commercial filming means filming that involves the digital or film recording of a visual image or sound recording by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience. This includes recordings such as those used for a documentary, educational program, television or feature film, advertisement, or similar project.

For the purposes of NPS policy, filming and photography encompass any technology that may be used for recording images or the sound tracks associated with them.

Still photography (whether commercial or noncommercial), in accordance with Public Law 106-206, will not require a permit unless

• it takes place at a location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed, or
  
• it uses model(s) or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or
  
• the Park Service would need to provide management and oversight to prevent unacceptable impacts.

Commercial media coverage of breaking news never requires a permit, but is subject to the restrictions and conditions necessary to protect park resources from unacceptable impacts.

Filming and Photography permit applications will generally be approved provided that the requested activities:

• are appropriate to the purpose for which the park was established; and
• can be sustained without causing unacceptable impacts to park resources or values.

Unacceptable impacts are impacts that, individually or cumulatively, would:

• be inconsistent with a park's purposes or values, or
• impede the attainment of a park's desired future conditions for natural and cultural resources as identified through the park's planning process, or
• create an unsafe or unhealthful environment for visitors or employees, or
• diminish opportunities for current or future generations to enjoy, learn about, or be inspired by park resources or values, or
• unreasonably interfere with:
• • park programs or activities, or
  • an appropriate use, or
  • other atmosphere of peace and tranquility, or the natural soundscape maintained in historic or commemorative locations within the park, or
  • NPS concessioner or contractor operations or services.

Permission to film or videotape in a historic park building can be granted by the Superintendent only when:

• the activity has a meaningful and accurate association with the historic resource or
• the production would contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of the historic resource.

The same considerations as those which apply to building interiors will be applied by the Superintendent in granting permission for exterior motion picture or television productions on Independence Square. The Superintendent may choose not to apply the criteria of a meaningful association with the historic resource or that it would contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of the historic resource to video production in other areas of the park. Unless co-sponsored by the NPS, video production on Washington Square is limited to productions involving no more than 15 cast and crew on site at any one time.

Commercial Filming Fee Schedule

Performance bond and liability insurance requirements must be met, and all costs incurred by the National Park Service in writing the permit, monitoring, providing protection services, or otherwise supporting filming or photography activities will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit. A location fee will also be required as a condition of the permit. The amount of the fee will be based on the fee schedule current at the time the permit is approved. Neither the location fee nor the cost recovery charges may be waived.

 

If you're unsure if you need a permit for filming or any other special use, please feel free to contact our Special Park Uses Office:

• Phone: [phone]
• e-mail us

Our Special Park Uses Office can also provide guidance to help you complete this form:

• Commercial Filming Permit Application -- short form
• Commercial Filming Permit Application -- long (for more complex film projects)
• Additional information is available in 2006 National Park Service Management Policies, Chapter 8 (page 185, 8.6.6)