Permits for Filming & Photography

Filming, Photography, and Audio Recording PermitsIn most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:

• Occurs in areas open to the public;
• Uses hand-carried equipment only;
• Does not require exclusive use of a site;
• Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
• Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.

Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.

When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service charges location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.

Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to any recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required.

Please contact us for more information about filming, still photography, and audio recording at Fire Island National Seashore. For more on the required location fees, required cost recovery, and additional permitting questions, see the NPS.gov Filming & Still Photography Permits page.

 

Permit Fees

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.

 

Permit InformationIf you're unsure if you need a permit for filming or any other special use, please feel free to contact our office by phone at 631-569-2100 or via e-mail.

Our staff at this office can also provide guidance to help you complete a permit. Please email us to obtain a permit application.

Special park uses including filming and photography activities will be allowed in parks provided the activities:

• are appropriate to the purpose for which the park was established; and
• are inspirational, educational, or healthful, and otherwise appropriate to the park environment; and
• will foster an understanding of and appreciation for park resources and values, or will promote enjoyment through a direct association with, interaction with, or relation to park resources; and
• can be sustained without causing unacceptable impacts to park resources or values.
• Applications are submitted a minimum of 30 days in advance of the event.

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

• be inconsistent with the park's purpose 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
  • the atmosphere of peace and tranquility, or the natural soundscape maintained in wilderness and natural, historic, or commemorative locations within the park, or
  • National Park Service concessioner or contractor operations or services.