Miami, FL Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Miami, 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
- Covers
- Streets, parks, beaches, city property
- Trigger
- Commercial (for-profit) purpose only
- Exempt
- News crews covering live events
- Max penalty
- $500 fine, 60 days jail
Summary
Miami requires a commercial photographic permit from the city manager before shooting stills, motion pictures, or TV footage for profit on any street, sidewalk, park, beach, causeway, lagoon, or other city-owned property.
It is unlawful to do any still photography, motion picture photography, or electronic (television) photography for commercial purposes, on any public roadway, sidewalk, street, park, causeway, beach, lagoon or on any city-owned property or facility in the city without first having received a City of Miami commercial photographic permit from the city manager or his/her designee. The term "for commercial purposes" means for purposes other than pleasure; that is, for profit or as a profession.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 41, Article II of the city code, anyone doing still, motion-picture, or electronic (television) photography "for commercial purposes" on public roadways, sidewalks, streets, parks, causeways, beaches, lagoons, or other city-owned property or facilities must first get a City of Miami commercial photographic permit from the city manager or a designee. "Commercial purposes" is defined as anything beyond pleasure use: for profit or as a profession. The city manager also evaluates each proposed filming venture's value to the city, can waive or reduce facility rental rates under commission-set criteria, and resolves disputes with production companies. News reporters, photographers, and camera operators covering live or on-the-spot sports and news events are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Violating the permit requirement is punishable under Charter § 3(aa) and Code § 1-13's general penalty: a fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film in a Miami park?
Are news crews exempt from Miami's filming permit rule?
Who issues Miami's commercial filming permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida filming & production overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Location Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle location permits.