Filming & Production in Richmond, VA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

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

Location Permits

Richmond charges film productions a $100.00 daily staff cost per filming location under Richmond City Code § 8-279(c)(11), on top of the base grounds-use permit process. The fee funds City staff assigned to monitor on-site film productions using public grounds or facilities managed by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

Key details: On-site staff cost fee: $100.00 per day, per location. Governing section: Richmond City Code § 8-279(c)(11). Layered drone fee: $125.00 if filming uses a drone. Layered street closure fee: $50.00 per street closed. Base permit fee: $25.00 nonrefundable under § 8-281.

No standalone penalty is written for filming at a City-owned location without paying the § 8-279(c)(11) staff cost fee; enforcement runs through the Department's permit process under §§ 8-279 and 8-281. Absent a stated penalty class, Richmond City Code § 1-16 applies its default Class 1 misdemeanor, up to $2,500.00 in fines, up to 12 months in jail, or both.

Street Closures

Closing a Richmond street for a permitted special event, including a film shoot, costs $50.00 per street under Richmond City Code § 8-279(c)(9). The fee sits in the same Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities fee schedule that separately prices on-site film production staffing and drone filming permits, applying per street closed rather than as a flat event charge.

Key details: Street closure fee: $50 per street, application and processing. Drone filming permit (same schedule): $125, FAA license required. Film production staff cost: $100/day per location. Base permit processing fee: $25 nonrefundable (§ 8-281). Rush fee: Extra $25 if filed within 7 days of event.

The Code does not spell out a distinct criminal penalty for closing a street without the required permit and fee; enforcement runs through the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities' permitting process under §§ 8-279 and 8-281. Where no specific penalty class is stated for a Code violation, Richmond City Code § 1-16 defaults to a Class 1 misdemeanor, up to $2,500.00 in fines, up to 12 months in jail, or both.

The Bottom Line

Richmond's filming & production rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Richmond is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Richmond's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.