Charlottesville, VA Special Events & Permits: Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way (2026)

Section 18-36 of the Charlottesville City Code defines 'special event' to expressly include movie filming, alongside activities like parades, festivals, races and block parties, when the activity is conducted by someone other than the city on public property that is reserved or sought to be reserved as its venue. That definition pulls filming into the permit system set out in § 18-37: the city manager adopts standard operating procedures establishing the application process, grounds for denial or revocation, time-place-manner conditions, and fees, and anyone intending to conduct such an event, including a film shoot, must obtain a permit first unless the activity is exempt under those procedures or already covered by a permit issued under a different chapter of the code.

Accepting a permit is treated as a representation that the application was accurate, that the sponsor will use reasonable means to keep participants in compliance with the permit's terms, and that a copy will be available for inspection by a city representative during the shoot. A film production that advertises, promotes or conducts a shoot without first obtaining a required permit, or that shoots on a day, at a time, or in a location the permit does not authorize, is subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 under § 18-37(d), and the city is directed to give a warning before enforcing that penalty when circumstances allow.

Productions using public property for filming may also need a separate general liability and property-damage insurance contract under § 18-38, in an amount of at least $1,000,000, naming the city as an additional insured, unless the city manager waives the requirement for cost hardship or low risk.