Required for filming or photography on city-owned property, including parks, libraries, the River Walk, Market Square and La Villita, and for any drone flight over….
Lead time At least 10 business days before the main shoot day
Fees City film and photo permits are free
| Do you need one? | Required for filming or photography on city-owned property, including parks, libraries, the River Walk, Market Square and La Villita, and for any drone flight over city property, streets or sidewalks. Not required on private property or for newsgathering. The permit does not reserve locations; each must be booked separately. |
| Who issues it | Film San Antonio (San Antonio Film Commission), part of the city's Arts & Culture department, issues city film and photo permits through FilmApp. Public Works handles lane, sidewalk and parking closures. |
| Lead time | At least 10 business days before the main shoot day. Police officers should be arranged a week ahead. |
| Fees | City film and photo permits are free. Police officers cost $50/hr with a 3-hour minimum. |
| Insurance | Film, video and commercial photo shoots need a certificate naming the City of San Antonio, Film Commission as additional insured, primary and non-contributory, with waiver of subrogation. Minimums: general liability $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, business auto $1 million, employers' liability $1 million, and statutory workers' comp. Personal-use photography needs no certificate. |
| Police, fire and traffic | San Antonio Police or Parks Police supervision is required for crime reenactments and prop weapons on city property, and for traffic control on approved street closures; $50/hr, 3-hour minimum, paid the day of the shoot. Fire and safety services are arranged through the commission; rates not published. |
| Street and lane closures | Lane, sidewalk and parking closures go through the Public Works right-of-way permit office. |
| Hours and noise | Landa Library and Gardens caps photo shoots at three hours, with no photography inside the library. |
| Drones | City permit needed for any drone over city property, streets or sidewalks; no drones over the River Walk; FAA rules apply. |
| Also | Each location is a separate shoot in FilmApp; blanket citywide requests are refused. The Alamo, Main Plaza, Pearl, Japanese Tea Garden, Confluence Park, the McNay, the Botanical Garden and the Missions all need their own approvals. |
From the official pages: Film San Antonio - FilmApp permit portal ↗︎ · City of San Antonio film and photo insurance requirements (PDF) ↗︎ · City of San Antonio police supervision information (PDF) ↗︎ · Film San Antonio ↗︎. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you shoot. Not legal advice. Photo: Zereshk, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.