Oyster Bay, NY Filming & Production: Student Filming (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- Non-commercial student educational films
- Permit issuer
- Town Clerk
- Application lead time
- At least 10 days before filming
- Fee
- Separate student filming permit fee
- Penalty for filming without permit
- $250 to $1,000, up to 15 days
- Revocation consequence
- 1-year bar on new applications
Summary
Student films made to satisfy an educational requirement and not for commercial use still need a Town Clerk permit before shooting anywhere in Oyster Bay, under the same Chapter 118 process as commercial productions, though the chapter sets a separate fee for student filming permits.
STUDENT FILMING: Films and/or videos recorded by a student in the fulfillment of educational requirements, provided that such works will not be used for a commercial purpose. § 118-3. Permit required. No person, firm, association, corporation, or enterprise shall commence commercial or student filming or establish a base camp anywhere in the Town of Oyster Bay unless a permit therefor has been previously issued by the Town Clerk of the Town of Oyster Bay.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4036544; v24 updated 2023-03-07; through 03-07-2023).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 118, Filming and Photography, was adopted because the Town's residential neighborhoods attract still photography shoots, commercials and student documentary projects, and the Town Board wanted anyone using Town property or streets for filming to cover the associated cost to public-safety and other resources. Section 118-2 defines "student filming" as films or videos recorded by a student to fulfill educational requirements, provided the work will not be used for a commercial purpose; this is distinct from "commercial filming," which covers motion pictures, music videos, television programs, advertisements and still photography for a commercial purpose, and from news coverage and weddings, which the chapter exempts entirely.
Section 118-3 requires a permit from the Town Clerk before anyone commences "commercial or student filming" or sets up a base camp anywhere in the Town, meaning the permit requirement applies to student productions exactly as it does to commercial ones. Section 118-7 sets a distinct fee for a student filming permit, separate from the fee for a commercial filming permit or for staging a base camp, in the Town's attached filming fee schedule. Applicants must still meet the general Section 118-4 application requirements: filing with the Town Clerk at least ten days before shooting, naming a location coordinator, describing the purpose and specific locations, listing vehicles and equipment with registrations, and submitting written consent from every property owner whose property will be used.
Violations & Fines
A production that films without the required permit, or that violates a permit condition, is subject under Section 118-8.1 to a fine of $250 to $1,000 or up to 15 days' imprisonment, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The Town Clerk can also suspend or revoke the permit, forfeit any fees paid, and bar the applicant from a new permit for one year under Section 118-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do student filmmakers need a permit to shoot in Oyster Bay?
Is the permit fee different for a student film than a commercial shoot?
What does a student filmmaker have to submit with the permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oyster Bay
New York rules heatmap·Compare Oyster Bay to another location·View the New York filming & production overview
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