Film permitCity
Filming in South Padre Island
Productions file the City of South Padre Island Film Permit Application.
Lead time At least 5 business days for productions using drones
What it takes
| Do you need one? | Productions file the City of South Padre Island Film Permit Application. Stunts, explosives, fire, firearms, temporary structures, drones or street and sidewalk closures may also need a special event permit, and closures may need a right-of-way permit. |
| Who issues it | South Padre Island Film Commission, a division of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau. |
| Lead time | At least 5 business days for productions using drones; otherwise not stated. |
| Insurance | Certificate of at least $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate and $1 million property damage, naming the City of South Padre Island as certificate holder and additional insured. |
| Police, fire and traffic | Police may be required for filming in the public right of way and at public beach accesses; rates not stated. |
| Street and lane closures | Street or sidewalk closures may need a right-of-way permit and a special event permit. |
| Drones | Apply at least 5 business days ahead; follow FAA rules and Texas drone statutes; no flights within 500 feet of government or courthouse buildings; drone liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate naming the city as additional insured. The form still asks for an FAA Section 333 exemption, an authorization the Texas Film Commission notes has been replaced by the Section 44807 process. |
| Also | A detailed schedule of every island location and a set health and safety plan must be attached; an on-site representative with authority over the crew is required. The commission may decline to support objectionable content. |
From the official pages: Visit South Padre Island - Film on South Padre Island ↗︎ · City of South Padre Island Film Permit Application (PDF) ↗︎. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you shoot. Not legal advice. Photo: Shannon247, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.