Dearborn, MI Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Dearborn, MI, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Authorizing official
- Chief of police
- Covers
- Streets, parks, public buildings
- Cost recovery
- Negotiated city service charges
- Enforcement
- Misdemeanor, § 17-37
Summary
Dearborn's chief of police can authorize filming, video taping, or photo shoots on any city street, right-of-way, park, or public building, and controls the location, hours, and services used for the production.
The chief of police, or his designee, in his discretion, may waive the requirements of this article and may authorize the use of any city street, right-of-way, park, public area, or public building/structure, for use in the filming, taping, or production of any film project, including but not limited to movies, television, commercials or training films.
(1) The chief of police or his designee shall have full control over the general location, hours, and use of public streets, buildings, equipment and personnel while being used for filming, taping, or production purposes.
(2) The chief of police or his designee shall have the full and absolute right to prohibit and/or order the cessation of filming, taping and/or the production of any project if such acts are determined to be detrimental to public health, safety and welfare.
(3) The chief of police or his designee may negotiate charges for direct and reasonable costs incurred by the city to provide additional police and public works services needed to respond to the film making request.
(4) The chief of police or his designee shall have the right to impose additional regulations under this section for the protection of public safety and welfare. (Ord. No. 08-1182, 10-6-08)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The city code lets the chief of police, or a designee, waive normal street-use rules and authorize filming, taping, or production of movies, TV shows, commercials, or training films on any city street, right-of-way, park, public area, or public building. The chief controls the general location, hours, and use of public streets, buildings, equipment, and personnel while a shoot is underway, has the absolute right to order filming stopped if it threatens public health or safety, and may negotiate charges for the extra police and public works services a production needs. Violating the film-making rules is prosecuted as a misdemeanor under Sec. 17-37.
Violations & Fines
Filming without the chief of police's authorization, or refusing an order to stop production, is prosecuted as a misdemeanor under Sec. 17-37 of the city code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves filming locations in Dearborn?
Does Dearborn charge film productions for police support?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
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