Miami Beach, FL Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Miami Beach, FL, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- City manager or designee
- Unpermitted filming fine
- $1,000 / $3,000 / $6,000
- Other section violations
- $500 / $1,500 / $3,000
- Location moratorium
- up to 6 months, renewable
- Enforced by
- Police Dept. & Code Compliance
Summary
Miami Beach requires a film and print production permit under City Code Sec. 12-1 before shooting on public property, on residentially zoned private property, or for any production that needs city services. The city manager or a designee issues, modifies or revokes the permit, and applicants must apply in advance with proof of insurance and indemnification before filming starts.
(1)Unlawful without permit. Except for filming by individuals for personal or educational use, and "professional journalists" collecting, photographing, recording, or reporting "news," as such terms are defined in F.S. § 90.5015, it shall be unlawful to engage in film and print production activities on public property, residentially zoned (private) property, or in film and print activities that require any city services, without a film and print permit.(3)Application needed. Individuals or businesses wishing to conduct film, television, video and/or photography projects on public property, private residential property, or any location that impacts or requires city services, must apply in advance to the city, providing a completed application, including proof of insurance and indemnification, as required by the film and print regulations, and receive a permit, before any film or print production activity may commence.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 98 | Resiliency Code (Current Land Development Regulations): Publication | Ordinance 89-2665 (Previous Land Development Regulations): Publication).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 12-1 gives the city manager or a designee authority to issue, modify or revoke film and print production permits under criteria set in the ordinance and in film and print regulations the city commission adopts by resolution. 5015. Applicants must submit a complete application in advance, including proof of insurance and indemnification, and receive the permit before any activity begins. Once an application is filed, the city determines what city services the production will need and may require additional services or monetary deposits not otherwise listed in the code.
Productions that need prearranged parking must get prior approval from both the parking department and the city manager; without it, production vehicles must park legally like any other vehicle. The city manager may also declare a temporary moratorium, up to six months and renewable, on new permits for a specific location or neighborhood that has been overused by high-volume or heavy-impact filming. A city code of conduct for film and print productions is distributed with every notification or signature form, available through the office of arts, culture and entertainment. The code compliance division and the Miami Beach Police Department enforce the section.
Violations & Fines
Filming without the required permit under Sec. 12-1(1) carries a civil fine of $1,000 for a first offense, $3,000 for a second offense, and $6,000 for a third or later offense within 12 months. Any other violation of Sec. 12-1, such as breaching a permit condition, draws $500 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second, and $3,000 for a third or later offense in the same period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film on private residential property in Miami Beach?
How far in advance should I apply for a filming permit?
Can Miami Beach block filming in an overused neighborhood?
What's the fine for filming without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami Beach
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami Beach to another location·View the Florida filming & production overview
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Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle location permits.