Scottsdale, AZ Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Section 16-446 requires a permit for any use of public streets, roads, alleys, rights-of-way, facilities or places owned or controlled by the city for motion picture or television production, but exempts news-gathering filming, law-enforcement investigations, judicial proceedings, and studios operating from an established fixed place of business in the city. Section 16-447 requires the application to describe the location, list the dates and times including setup and teardown, disclose the nature of the activity, identify known or potential hazards to property or persons, state the number of people and equipment involved, describe vehicles and their movement, and name the on-scene responsible person and any assistants.

The city reviews the application with fire, police, risk management and traffic engineering officials and must issue a permit unless the activity would cause undue traffic congestion, be unduly disruptive to residents' normal activities, create an unreasonable risk to persons or property, or otherwise harm public health, safety, morals or welfare, giving written reasons for any denial. Section 16-449 requires the permittee to reimburse city costs for police, fire or equipment use, post a cash bond set by the issuing authority, and carry at least $1,000,000 in combined liability insurance naming the city as additional insured, plus workers' compensation coverage, before a permit issues. The permittee must restore the used area to its prior condition under § 16-447(f), and the permit is nonassignable under § 16-448.