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Pinellas County, FL Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Film location permits in Pinellas County, FL, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.

Key Facts

Issuing body
CVB / county administrator
Covers
filming on county property
Permits
non-transferable
Fees
set by board of commissioners

Summary

Commercial filming and events facilitated by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention & Visitors Bureau on county property require a permit issued by the county administrator or designee.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Pinellas County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

"Activity" means: (i) commercial photography or filming that involves the use of special settings, structures, lighting or apparatus, and/or the performance of persons or animals, and/or the posing of models; or (ii) events or programs...Any activity that is sponsored, supported, or facilitated by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention & Visitors Bureau...may be allowed by permit, approval, or license...by the county administrator or his/her designee.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 124).

Full Breakdown

Sec. 118-43 defines a permit-triggering 'activity' as commercial photography or filming using special settings, structures, lighting, apparatus, or posed models, or events/programs sponsored by any organization. Activity on county-owned or -managed property, or municipal property where the CVB has authority, needs a permit, approval, or license from the county administrator or designee, and the CVB may charge permit fees set by the board.

Violations & Fines

A permit may be revoked for failure to comply with its conditions; permits are non-transferable and usable only by the person or entity to whom issued (Sec. 118-43(f)-(g)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues film permits in Pinellas County?
The St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention & Visitors Bureau, including its Film Commission, coordinates permits issued by the county administrator or designee under Sec. 118-43.
Does the permit requirement cover private property?
No: on private property the CVB may only facilitate and coordinate; securing approvals from the property owner remains the filmmaker's responsibility under Sec. 118-43(c).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pinellas County

All Pinellas County rules

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