Dallas County, TX Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Under Chapter 74's rental division, any group wanting to film inside a Dallas County-owned building must first submit a written request to the commissioners court describing the intended use. Sec. 74-242 singles out three uses that require commissioners court sign-off: filming in any county building (a copy of the film script must accompany the request), any building use lasting more than three days, and any rental of the county administration building itself. Beyond that approval, Sec. 74-243 requires sign-off from the primary occupant of the space, a signed building user permit agreement, a damage deposit when the use could cause property damage, and, for commercial productions, a $1,000,000 liability and personal injury policy naming the county.

Sec. 74-245 sets the filming-specific fee schedule: a flat $25,000 damage deposit, $2,000 per film day to use the county administration building, and $1,000 per film day for any other county building except jails, for shoots of 30 days or less; shoots running 31 days or longer pay $750 per film day instead. Working press filming in open or public areas is exempt from these fees as long as the shoot runs under four hours and does not block public business. Sec. 74-246 gives the county outright discretion to deny any facility-use request, including filming, if county staff believe it would disrupt normal business or offend visitors.

A separate track applies to the historic Sixth Floor Exhibit: Sec. 74-273 lets news, feature and travelogue crews use handheld equipment there without disrupting patrons, but live broadcasts and visitor interviews (other than exit interviews) are barred, and any other filming request goes to the historical foundation board before commissioners court action.