Filming that uses city streets, rights of way, parks, buildings, equipment or staff needs the city's film application.
Lead time At least 2 business days for commercials or episodic TV
Fees Suggested $25 application fee
| Do you need one? | Filming that uses city streets, rights of way, parks, buildings, equipment or staff needs the city's film application. Contact the City Manager's office before applying. |
| Who issues it | City of Port Arthur, Office of the City Manager; the Port Arthur CVB promotes the Film Friendly program. |
| Lead time | At least 2 business days for commercials or episodic TV; at least 5 business days for feature films. |
| Fees | Suggested $25 application fee. City property: $500 for total or disruptive use, $250 partial; full street or lot closure $50, partial $25; large-vehicle parking $50. |
| Insurance | At least $1 million general liability with a $1 million umbrella, plus $1 million auto if applicable, naming the City of Port Arthur and its agents, officers, elected officials and employees as additional insured. |
| Police, fire and traffic | The production pays for all police, fire and public works staff assigned; off-duty officers and firefighters are paid at least 1.5 times their hourly rate. |
| Street and lane closures | Attach a map of planned street closures or public-area use. |
| Telling neighbors | Good-faith notice to every owner, tenant and resident in affected neighborhoods, with a signed comment report. |
| Hours and noise | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends and holidays, unless approved with neighbors notified. |
| Students and nonprofits | The City Manager may waive the application fee for nonprofits. |
| Drones | Aerial or drone work must be listed on the application. |
From the official pages: Visit Port Arthur - Port Arthur is film friendly ↗︎ · City of Port Arthur film guidelines and application (PDF) ↗︎. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you shoot. Not legal advice. Photo: Sewtex, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.