Dakota County, MN Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Ordinance No. 1 lists photography and filming among the commercial activities a Special Use Permit (SUP) can authorize in a county park, alongside product demonstrations, instructing a class, and food or beverage sales. The ordinance draws a line between 'low-impact' filming and photography, which does not require a SUP, and larger productions that do. Filming and photography activities that do not meet the low-impact description require at least ten days' advance notice to Dakota County Parks before the shoot. Based on the information the production provides, the county will determine whether a SUP is required to maintain public health and safety, protect environmental or scenic values, protect natural or cultural resources, allow for equitable allocation of facilities, or avoid conflicts with other visitors.

Even when a shoot is low-impact and does not need a SUP, videographers, producers, directors, and news staff remain subject to every other park rule, including posted hours and closed areas. A SUP for filming does not grant exclusive use of the location; the crew must share the designated area with other park visitors and cannot block public access. 1.