Hillsborough County, FL Filming & Production: Student Filming (2026)
Key Facts
- Exemption basis
- personal use, non-commercial
- Crew limit
- 5 or fewer people
- Equipment limit
- hand-carried, self-contained only
- Governing section
- Sec. 10-494(f)(2)
Summary
A student film shot for personal, non-commercial use in unincorporated Hillsborough County skips the county's photography permit if five or fewer people are involved.
(2) Personal/family video: The recording of visual images (motion or still photography) solely for private personal use, and not for commercial use which involves five or fewer people using only hand carried and self contained equipment.
(3) Studio filming: Filming activities (motion or still photography) conducted at a studio.
(4) Pro bono public service announcements for a governmental purpose: Public service announcements recorded at the request of the County by either a private or a public entity for which there is no fee or charge.
(5) Still photography: The recording of non-moving visual images which involves five or fewer people using only hand carried and self contained equipment.
(6) In addition to the foregoing, to the extent that the filming activity in question is being conducted in an area subject to the jurisdiction of a superior governmental agency, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration or United States Coast Guard, any applicable regulations of those agencies shall prevail, to the extent they conflict with any provision of this article.
(g) Notwithstanding the exempt status of the filming activities above, persons or entities engaged in filming in, on or over County owned or controlled property must comply with all other applicable local, State and Federal laws, and shall conduct the activities so as not to
Full Breakdown
Hillsborough County's motion/still photography permit ordinance exempts personal/family video: recording visual images solely for private personal use, not commercial use, involving five or fewer people using only hand-carried, self-contained equipment. A student working on a school project with a small crew and no commercial purpose falls under this Sec. 10-494(f)(2) exemption. A student production that is commercial, uses more than five people, or brings in outside equipment needs the same permit as any other producer.
Violations & Fines
Filming outside the exemption without a permit is punishable as provided by law, with enforcement by the Sheriff's Office or code compliance officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a student need a county permit to film a school project?
What if the student film is for a paid contest or commercial release?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hillsborough County to another location·View the Florida filming & production overview
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