3 rules for unincorporated Oakland County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Oakland County does not issue film-location permits for private property or for cities/townships. Location permits are issued by the host municipality, by Oakland County Parks (for filming inside the county-park system), by the Road Commission for Oakland County (for filming in county road right-of-way), and by MDOT (for filming on state trunk lines such as M-1 / Woodward and I-696). The City of Royal Oak operates one of the more developed film-permit programs in the county: film permits are issued by the City Clerk and require a $12 non-refundable application fee with at least 3 days advance notice for filming on city property.
Film productions in Oakland County must comply with the host municipality's noise ordinance — there is no countywide noise standard. Charter Township of Oakland (Ch. 274) prohibits any loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise that annoys or disturbs others, and restricts construction-type activity to 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. on weekdays. Royal Oak's Ch. 312 special-event/film permit requires a noise-control plan describing generators, amplified sound, vehicle staging, and pickup. Filming after 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. in residential zones in most Oakland County cities requires an after-hours waiver or a special exception condition on the film permit.
Charter Township of Oakland Code Ch. 274 (Noise)
It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to make, continue or cause to be made any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, convenience, health, peace or safety of others.
Street closures for film production in Oakland County are coordinated through three jurisdictions: the city or township for local streets (e.g., Royal Oak Ch. 312 special-event permit), the Road Commission for Oakland County for county roads, and MDOT for state trunk lines (M-1 Woodward, M-59, I-696, I-75). Royal Oak's special-event/film permit requires a written plan describing street closures, parking, security, crowd control, traffic control, sanitation, noise control, and clean-up. Standard lead time is 30 days for special events and at least 3 days for film-only permits in Royal Oak.
City of Royal Oak Code Ch. 312 (Events, Special)
Except as provided for special event permits associated with the Woodward Dream Cruise, every applicant for a permit to stage or hold a special event shall file an application at least 30 days prior to the event with the City Clerk's office upon a form provided by the City of Royal Oak.
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