Smyrna, GA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Section 22-319 bars anyone from carrying on film production, motion picture production, television production or web-based production on private or public property in the City of Smyrna without a film production permit, on top of any permit required by the International Fire Code or another applicable code. Film production as defined in § 22-316 also covers videography.

The city administrator acts as the city's agent to receive, process and approve applications (§ 22-320). The written application goes to the city not less than five working days and not more than 180 days before production begins, signed by an authorized representative (§ 22-321(a)). Filing commits the applicant to pay city personnel expenses and extraordinary services, including repairs and turf restoration, unless another damage agreement is reached. It also commits the applicant to halt filming on instruction from an officer of the Smyrna Police or Fire Department and to indemnify the City of Smyrna (§ 22-321(b) to (d)). Insurance means general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000.00 per incident or occurrence plus workers' compensation, and special effects call for $5,000,000.00 per incident naming the city as additional insured (§ 22-322).

The administrator approves an application unless the applicant made a material misrepresentation, traffic impacts come without an acceptable mitigation plan, the production fails the article's criteria, or a renewal applicant violated the previous permit (§ 22-323). No more than four film production permits are granted for any single residentially zoned property in a calendar year, and no permit issues for a location where the city administrator or city council determines that filming would adversely affect public health, safety or general welfare (§ 22-324). Permit fees are set by the city, and a permit does not waive fees for city facilities or services (§ 22-327). A denial is sent in writing by mail within five days, with the reasons (§ 22-328(a)).

Section 22-317 exempts news gathering, noncommercial personal-family filming, political films, studios at their fixed place of business, and low impact productions with ten or fewer crew and three or fewer vehicles conducted entirely on private property with no impact on public rights-of-way.