When is a NYC Film Permit NOT Required?

 When is an NYC Film Permit Not Needed?

Not every production requires a permit from the Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting (OFTB). You may not need a permit if your production:

• Uses only handheld equipment or props (such as a camera on a tripod, bounce boards, boom mics, etc.)

• Does not require exclusive use of city property

• Takes place entirely on private property

• Does not include stunts, prop vehicles, prop weapons, or actors in police uniforms

• Involves filming with a handheld camera while standing on a public sidewalk, the walkway of a city bridge, or within a city park, without claiming exclusive use of city space

*Please note: Filming in city parks, inside city buildings, on bridges, in subways, or in tunnels will still require additional permissions from the relevant authorities.

For more specific details, contact the OFTB directly for guidance.