Lincoln, NE Filming & Production: Production Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 14.34.060(a)(7)
- Reviewing official
- Mayor, on Clerk referral
- Basis
- Excessive noise or nuisance to neighbors
- Revocation trigger
- Disturbance of the peace, § 14.34.110
- Appeal path
- City Council, § 14.34.120
Summary
Lincoln can deny a commercial film permit if the shoot will cause excessive noise or create a nuisance for neighboring properties, under the Mayor's discretionary review of every filming application.
No filming permit shall be issued if the Mayor finds that the proposed filming project:
1. May cause damage to the public space that either cannot be mitigated or has not been bonded for; 2. Would cause an unreasonable disruption of the public’s use and enjoyment of the public space beyond short-term interruption of use of the space;
3. Poses health or safety risks to the public that cannot be mitigated; 4. Conflicts with a prior permit or a prior application that is likely to be granted for the same public space at the same time;
5. Will involve such a number of persons or activities as will exceed the reasonable capacity of the public space requested;
6. Will interfere with the provision of proper fire and police protection to the area adjacent to the public space requested;
7. Will adversely affect adjacent or neighboring properties by causing excessive noise or creating a nuisance; 8. Will unreasonably interfere with the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
9. Will fail to comply in any respect with the provisions of this chapter or any other applicable law. b. No permit shall be issued to any applicant that has unpaid or past due fees under this chapter for any prior filming project.
Full Breakdown
When the City Clerk forwards a film permit application to the Mayor for review under Lincoln Municipal Code § 14.34.060(a), the Mayor must refuse to issue the permit if the proposed filming project 'will adversely affect adjacent or neighboring properties by causing excessive noise or creating a nuisance.' This sits alongside eight other denial grounds covering property damage, traffic disruption, and public safety, and applies to every commercial filming project on public space within Lincoln city limits. A permit already issued can also be revoked mid-shoot under § 14.34.110 if the production is 'causing a disturbance of the peace.'
Violations & Fines
Permit denial before filming starts, or revocation mid-project under § 14.34.110 for causing a disturbance of the peace; denials and revocations may be appealed to the City Council per § 14.34.120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lincoln reject a film permit just for being noisy?
Can an already-issued film permit be pulled for noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska filming & production overview
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