Syracuse, NY Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Article 15, adopted by Gen. Ord. No. 5-2019, covers "all activities involving filming or videotaping on city owned property, which includes parks and all areas of the city right-of-way" made for motion pictures, television shows, reality programs, music videos or commercials (Sec. 24-70). Sec. 24-72 makes the permit mandatory for any person, corporation, LLC, general partnership or limited partnership: no filming on city property without a permit issued by the commissioner of public works, and a park shoot needs the commissioner of parks, recreation and youth programs to approve it first.

Sec. 24-73 requires the application on forms the commissioner prescribes, filed with the department of public works at least ten days before the date the applicant wants to film. Sec. 24-75 lets the commissioner of public works, working with the parks commissioner and the corporation counsel, write operating rules that every applicant must certify under oath they have read and will follow. Sec. 24-76 requires commercial general liability insurance in an amount the commissioner sets, naming the city as an additional insured. Sec. 24-77 puts final sign-off with the commissioner of public works but conditions it on review and approval by the corporation counsel, and on the applicant meeting the rules, all other applicable laws, and every requirement of Article 15.

News media and private citizens are carved out of this permit requirement by Sec. 24-71, but that exemption does not reach commercial, television or motion-picture production, which is exactly what Sec. 24-72 targets.