Warren, MI Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Article III of Chapter 12 governs use of city-owned property for filming. Section 12-12 requires that, in addition to the standard filming registration, any production that will occupy city-owned property or requests a street closure must file a separate application to use city-owned property, using a form furnished by the film coordinator, and attach the registration form, a certificate of insurance, an indemnity and hold harmless agreement, any required building or fire permit, any required city, county or state (MDOT) road closure permit, and an agreement to reimburse the city for services requested.

Section 12-13 gives the film coordinator three business days to approve or deny a complete application, unless the shoot needs extensive review by other departments, and lists grounds for denial such as substantial disruption to street traffic, interference with street maintenance or excavation permits, interference with other authorized activities, risk of injury or property damage, refusal to reimburse city costs, incomplete or false applications, and violations of law. Section 12-14 lets the coordinator attach conditions on time, place, manner and duration instead of denying the application outright, and Section 12-22 makes the applicant responsible for reimbursing every actual city expense the shoot generates, including police, fire and public works personnel.