How Roswell Handles Filming & Production: A Practical Guide
Roswell maintains 130 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with filming & production. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Roswell falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Street Closures
Roswell, Georgia allows temporary road closures for approved media production permits, but Code of Ordinances Section 15.2.6 makes closure discretionary: it may be granted only 'upon approval of the chief of police or his/her designee and the director of transportation or his/her designee.' Applications need two business days' notice and $300,000/$100,000 insurance.
Key details: Closure approval: Chief of police + director of transportation. Application notice: 2 business days before shoot. Insurance: $300,000 injury / $100,000 property. Appeal window: 5 business days to city administrator. Max penalty: $2,000 fine or 180 days jail.
There is no separate fine for an unauthorized street closure; Section 15.2.16 punishes any violation of Article 15.2 'as provided in section 1.1.3 of this Code,' the general penalty of up to $2,000.00, up to 180 days' imprisonment, or up to 180 days of community service. The city can also revoke the underlying media-production permit and closure approval under Section 15.2.11 for noncompliance or a public-safety threat.
Location Permits
Commercial film, TV, and video shoots on Roswell public property need a media production permit from the city before filming begins, covering site reservations, staff time, and any street or sidewalk restrictions.
Key details: Applies to: commercial media/video/film production. Application lead time: 2 business days minimum. Reviewing dept: Community Development Department. Fee: nonrefundable, set by city resolution.
Filming commercially on Roswell public property without the permit violates Code of Ordinances § 15.2.1 and is punishable under the Code's general penalty section, § 1.1.3.
Student Filming
Class-project productions filmed on Roswell public property by students are exempt from the city's media production and portrait photography permit requirement entirely.
Key details: Exempt activity: student class-project productions. Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 15.2.2. Permit needed: none for qualifying shoots. Other exemptions: private property, news, city productions.
Claiming the student exemption for a shoot that is not genuinely a class project can result in a citation for filming without the required media production permit under § 15.2.1.
The rules around student filming in Roswell lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
The Bottom Line
Roswell'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 Roswell is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Roswell can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.