Wayne, NJ Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Wayne Township Code § 14-21 sits in Chapter 14, the Fire Bureau chapter, and the permit comes from the Wayne Township Fire Bureau rather than from a general film office. Subsection A requires it before the filming of any motion picture or commercial on any premises within the Township when one of four things is true: the filming or related activity changes the floor plan, means of egress or exit door configuration in a structure; it involves pyrotechnics or explosives stored on site or used during filming; it obstructs access to any lot, street, roadway or building in the Township; or it employs an aircraft of any type.

Before issuing the permit and during the operation it authorizes, the Fire Official can require fire safety elements or standards, including Township ordinances, the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and NFPA standards. The Fire Official can also require extra protection added to the structure and a Township Fire Inspector on site. The production company pays for that inspector, with payment made to the Township Treasurer at the current Township rate. If the Fire Official or his duly authorized representative finds that the filming is unsafe, violates the code or is causing a hazard to life or property, the Fire Official can take the necessary action to abate the hazard.

The permit fee is $200, payable to the Fire Bureau Account, and the permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. Any order of the local enforcement agency can be appealed to the Passaic County Construction Board of Appeals under § 14-22. Pyrotechnics on a set also run into § 14-23, which bars pyrotechnics, sparklers and smoke/fog machines inside any commercial structure.