Filming & Production in Chicago, IL (2026)
3 verified filming & production rules for Chicago, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Location Permits
Filming that blocks streets, sidewalks or needs City services requires a $250 CDOT film production permit.
Chicago Film Production Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 10-8-337
No person shall conduct a film production event without first: (i) filing a City Services Request Form with the Chicago Film Office, and (ii) obtaining a Film Production Permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation... The fee for a film production permit... shall be $250.00; provided, however, that a $25.00 permit fee shall be assessed if the filmed event... is produced by students or s...
Street Closures
Filming that closes streets, blocks sidewalks, or needs special City services requires a $250 Film Production Permit from CDOT plus a City Services Request Form to the Chicago Film Office.
Chicago Film Street Closure Permit
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 10-8-337
No person shall conduct a film production event without first: (i) filing a City Services Request Form with the Chicago Film Office, and (ii) obtaining a Film Production Permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation... The fee for a film production permit... shall be $250.00... any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $2,500.00 for each offe...
Student Filming
Student and classroom film shoots that block Chicago streets still need a Film Production Permit from CDOT, but the fee drops to $25 instead of $250.
Chicago Student Film Permit Fee
Some RestrictionsMCC § 10-8-337(d)(3)
No person shall conduct a film production event without first: (i) filing a City Services Request Form with the Chicago Film Office, and (ii) obtaining a Film Production Permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation... The fee for a film production permit... shall be $250.00; provided, however, that a $25.00 permit fee shall be assessed if the filmed event: (i) is produced by students or...
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chicago city rules.
Filming & Production in Cook County →