Filming & Production in Alachua County, FL (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Alachua County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Location Permits
Commercial filming on property in unincorporated Alachua County needs a temporary filming permit from the Growth Management Department before it starts. Section 402.153(a) requires the permit whenever a production's impact on public infrastructure, services, or surrounding land uses is significant enough to need one, with a short list of exemptions for small crews and news media.
Filming Location Permit Requirements (Alachua Co.)
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 402.153(a), (a)(1)(b)
(a)Applicability. All temporary filming permits shall be required from the County prior to the temporary filming use of property in unincorporated Alachua County which, because of the activities' impact on public infrastructure, services, and surrounding land uses, requires a permit. The issuance of a temporary filming permit shall not be deemed to amend the official zoning map or this ULDC.(1)...
Production Noise
A film production in unincorporated Alachua County must keep on-set sound within the county's general noise ordinance. Section 402.153(d)(5) requires filming permits to comply with the decibel limits in Title 11, Chapter 110, which caps daytime residential noise at 60 dBA and nighttime residential noise at 55 dBA.
Filming Production Noise Limits (Alachua County)
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 402.153(d)(5); § 110.04(a)
(5)Noise control. Compliance with standards in Title 11, Chapter 110 of this Code. ... Sec. 110.04. - Noise control measurement standards. (a)Noise generated across real property lines. The noise from any activity or from any permissible use of property within the applicable zoning district classifications of Alachua County shall be deemed to be excessive, unnecessary, offensive and unusually l...
Street Closures
A film shoot that closes a public street, right-of-way, or sidewalk in unincorporated Alachua County loses its exemption from the temporary filming permit and must secure traffic-control agreements before closing anything. Section 402.153(a)(1) ties the small-crew and other exemptions to keeping streets and sidewalks open, and Section 402.153(d)(4) requires approved agreements with the Sheriff and FDOT.
Filming Street & ROW Closure Rules (Alachua Co.)
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 402.153(a)(1); § 402.153(d)(4)
The following filming activities are exempt from this Article provided that public streets, rights-of-way, and public sidewalks are not closed due to the activity and the activity does not create on-street parking impacts:...(4)Traffic and access. With approved agreements with the Alachua County Sheriff, FDOT, or other agencies, as required.
Student Filming
Student and faculty filming done exclusively for educational purposes is exempt from Alachua County's temporary filming permit under Section 402.153(a)(1)d: as long as the shoot doesn't close a public street, right-of-way, or sidewalk and doesn't create on-street parking impacts. Step outside those conditions and the full Section 402.153 permit applies regardless of the academic purpose.
Student Filming Permit Exemption (Alachua County)
Light RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 402.153(a)(1)(d)
The following filming activities are exempt from this Article provided that public streets, rights-of-way, and public sidewalks are not closed due to the activity and the activity does not create on-street parking impacts:a.Filming activity for print or electronic news media when filming news events, newspaper, press association, newsreel or television news by media personnel.b.Filming activity...
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