Required for filming on any city-owned property, including b-roll of city parks, Pioneer Plaza, Dealey Plaza and City Hall Plaza.
Lead time At least 3 business days
Fees $50 per location for a standard production (one application per location)
| Do you need one? | Required for filming on any city-owned property, including b-roll of city parks, Pioneer Plaza, Dealey Plaza and City Hall Plaza; for street, alley or lane closures and intermittent traffic control; for closing sidewalks; for parking in restricted curb lanes; for filming city police, fire or personnel, or the city flag, seal or badge; and for using city facilities. OSE may also require one for general b-roll and student films. Private property needs no permit. |
| Who issues it | City of Dallas Office of Special Events (OSE) issues commercial filming permits; the Dallas Film Commission (Dallas Creative Industries Office) advises. |
| Lead time | At least 3 business days; complex productions at least 5 business days. Certificate of insurance due 3 days before filming. |
| Fees | $50 per location for a standard production (one application per location); $250 for a complex production; $40 per day late fee; $50 per minor permit change. Meter hooding is a $55 labor fee plus $1 per meter plus 70% of lost meter revenue. |
| Insurance | General liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, with the City of Dallas and its officers, employees and appointed representatives as additional insured. Business auto $500,000 per occurrence ($3 million for stunts or car chases); aircraft $5 million; pyrotechnics or special effects an added $3 million; workers' comp at statutory limits for city facilities, employer's liability $500,000. Waiver of subrogation required. |
| Police, fire and traffic | Off-duty police: $70/hr officer, rising to $80 sergeant, $90 lieutenant and up (4-hour minimum, paid on the day); marked squad car $15.69/hr. Off-duty fire medic $60/hr (4-hour minimum), supervisor $65, captain $70; ambulance $25/hr. City Hall security $50.79/hr. |
| Street and lane closures | Closures and intermittent traffic control are permit triggers; procedures are set in the permit conditions. |
| Students and nonprofits | Student films may need a permit at OSE's discretion; no waiver stated. |
| Also | Process: apply online, OSE accepts and invoices the fee, departments review, then the permit issues with final conditions. |
From the official pages: Dallas Film Commission - Permits in Dallas ↗︎ · City of Dallas OSE - Commercial filming ↗︎. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you shoot. Not legal advice. Photo: Gattacal, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.