Chicago, IL Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Chicago, IL, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Standard permit fee
- $250
- Reduced fee (student/nonprofit)
- $25
- Required liability insurance
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Fine per violation
- $500–$2,500 per day
- Issuing department
- Chicago Dept. of Transportation
Summary
Filming that blocks streets, sidewalks or needs City services requires a $250 CDOT film production permit.
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 school administrators as part of a classroom project.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chicago requires a Film Production Permit from the Department of Transportation for any "film production event": filming that exclusively uses streets, sidewalks or public way for staging vehicles, equipment or crew, needs special City services like street closures or police protection, or involves special effects, pyrotechnics, stunts or rigging. Filming on the public way that doesn't obstruct or block it is exempt. Applicants must first file a City Services Request Form with the Chicago Film Office, then apply to CDOT with event details, insurance proof and an indemnification agreement. The standard fee is $250, reduced to $25 for student/classroom projects, not-for-profit educational productions, Independent Film Initiative-approved projects, or small-scope shoots needing minimal City services. Commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence naming the City as additional insured is mandatory for the full permit period, including setup and teardown.
Violations & Fines
Filming without a permit, or exceeding a permit's scope, draws a fine of $500 to $2,500 per offense, with each day of violation a separate offense. The Department can also revoke a permit for code violations or public-safety risk, and lapsed insurance triggers automatic revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film on a Chicago sidewalk?
Who reviews film permit applications in Chicago?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
Compare Chicago to another location·View the Illinois filming & production overview
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Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle location permits.