Battle Creek, MI Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Battle Creek has no stand-alone filming ordinance. Instead, § 815.02(b) lists "video or film production" in its definition of a special event, next to parades, festivals, fairs and athletic events, and § 815.03(a) makes it unlawful to promote, advertise or hold a special event upon any City street, park, or public area without first obtaining a special event permit. The prohibition is tied to City streets, parks and public areas.

The application goes to the City Clerk in writing under § 815.04(a). It must give the requester's name, address, telephone number and email address, the sponsoring organization with a copy of its organizing documents, a named Chairman responsible for the conduct of the event, the purpose and estimated attendance, the date and the hours the event starts and ends each day, whether alcoholic liquor will be sold or provided, assembly and disbursal locations and route plans, and a plat or map of the proposed area showing any barricade, street route plan or perimeter or security fencing. The applicant must certify that the statements are true, accurate and complete. Under § 815.04(b) no approval issues unless the application is made not less than thirty days in advance, although the City Clerk has discretion to accept less notice in special instances.

The City Clerk refers each application to the various city departments for investigation and recommendations, then grants approval or approval with conditions if the event is for a lawful purpose and will not breach the public peace or unnecessarily interfere with public use of streets, sidewalks, parks and public areas. A denial is in writing and states the reasons. The factors the Clerk weighs include possible excessive noise, unusual litter, damage to city property, financial responsibility, consumer protection and environmental concerns.

The permit is in addition to any other permit required by another governmental agency, state law or local ordinance (§ 815.03(b)). It is not renewable, cannot be transferred or assigned, and § 815.05(c) lets the City attach reasonable time, place and manner restrictions and require a liability insurance policy as prescribed in Section 802.24. Permit fees come from the schedule enacted under § 802.24 (§ 815.07).