Bergenfield, NJ Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Any commercial or educational filming, whether on film, videotape or a similar recording medium, triggers the permit requirement under Borough Code § 149-1 and § 149-2A, and applications go through the Borough Clerk's office during normal business hours with a fee set by the Borough. Because § 149-2C makes one permit good for one location, a scouting company covering several Bergenfield addresses in the same production files a separate application, fee and location-specific approval for each. A single permit does cover both an outdoor and an indoor session in one calendar day under § 149-2D, but premises in a residential zone are capped at four filming days per year unless the applicant obtains a waiver under § 149-3I.

Filming on private property additionally requires the written consent of the property owner or tenant to accompany the application, per § 149-2F. If weather or other good cause forces a reschedule, § 149-2E lets the Borough Clerk issue a replacement permit for a new date without an added fee, so long as the applicant still meets every other requirement of the chapter. The Clerk can refuse a permit under § 149-3G on objective grounds, after review by the Police Department, if the proposed filming would violate the law, unreasonably interfere with public use of Borough land, disrupt neighboring properties, or endanger public safety; a denial can be appealed to the Mayor and Council within ten days under § 149-3H.

Fees run $200 per day on private property and $500 per day on public property under § 149-4, with reduced rates for nonprofits and students. News filming is exempt from the whole chapter under § 149-6.