Why Mount Vernon Has Some of the Strictest Filming & Production in the State

If you live in Mount Vernon or are thinking about moving there, filming & production are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Mount Vernon has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of filming & production, and some of them might surprise you.

Location Permits

Anyone filming a commercial, movie, documentary, TV program or other production on Mount Vernon streets, sidewalks or other property needs a permit from the City Clerk first. The application fee is $750, and the applicant must carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured.

Key details: Permit issuer: City Clerk (Mayor countersigns). Application fee: $750. Required liability insurance: $1,000,000 single limit. Business-district daily fee: $2,000/day (7+ days: $1,000). Late cancellation forfeiture: $250.

Under § 128-10, filming without the required permit, or otherwise failing to comply with Chapter 128, is a violation punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per day or imprisonment of up to 15 days, or both. Canceling or modifying a permit without the required two-business-day notice to the City Clerk under § 128-8 forfeits $250 of the administrative fee or adds a $250 charge.

Compared to other cities, Mount Vernon takes a harder line on location permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Street Closures

A Mount Vernon filming permit that involves closing a public street needs the Commissioner of Public Safety's sign-off, and the applicant must pay for any security officers the Commissioner deems necessary. City Code § 128-3 caps any street closure for filming at three hours in a single day.

Key details: Approving official: Commissioner of Public Safety. Max closure duration: 3 hours per day. Security cost: Borne by applicant. Underlying permit fee: $750 application fee. Max penalty for violation: $1,000/day or 15 days.

Under § 128-10, filming or closing a street without the Commissioner of Public Safety's required approval, or otherwise violating Chapter 128, is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per day or imprisonment of up to 15 days, or both. Exceeding the three-hour street-closure limit in § 128-3 without separate authorization is itself a violation of the chapter subject to that same penalty.

This is one of the stricter rules in Mount Vernon's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Mount Vernon is tougher than many cities when it comes to filming & production. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Mount Vernon, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Mount Vernon's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.