No permit or fee for eight or fewer people using hand-carried gear in open areas, without exclusive use, resource impact or added NPS cost.
Lead time Applications must be postmarked at least 10 business days before the start date
Fees $125 nonrefundable special use application fee (check or money order), plus location and cost recovery fees when a permit is required
| Do you need one? | No permit or fee for eight or fewer people using hand-carried gear in open areas, without exclusive use, resource impact or added NPS cost. Filming that is part of an already-permitted activity (a wedding, a sporting event) never needs its own permit. Larger or more complex shoots need a special use permit. |
| Who issues it | National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore special use permit coordinator. |
| Lead time | Applications must be postmarked at least 10 business days before the start date; complex, multi-location shoots need at least that long to process. |
| Fees | $125 nonrefundable special use application fee (check or money order), plus location and cost recovery fees when a permit is required. Entrance fees still apply. |
| Students and nonprofits | Treated the same as all other filming under NPS rules. |
| Drones | Launching, landing or operating drones is prohibited at the seashore except as approved in writing by the superintendent. |
From the official pages: Padre Island NS - Special use permits ↗︎ · NPS - Filming, still photography and audio recording ↗︎. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you shoot. Not legal advice.