Miami-Dade County, FL: Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- filming/photos on public property
- Sets rules
- County Mayor's designee (UMSA)
- City filming
- municipality sets rules via interlocal deal
- Crew exemption
- under 3 people, 1 hand-held camera
- Appeal window
- 10 days to County Mayor
Summary
Filming or taking photos on publicly-owned property in Miami-Dade County requires a permit, and the County coordinates that permitting into the 34 municipalities that have signed interlocal agreements with it.
Except as provided below, no person shall film or take photos within a publicly-owned or controlled site, facility or right-of-way within the participating incorporated or unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County without first obtaining a permit. Within the unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County, the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee shall establish the criteria and procedures to be followed for film and photo permits. Within the participating incorporated areas, the municipality having jurisdiction shall establish the criteria and procedures to be followed for film and photo permits through interlocal agreement with Miami-Dade County.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 2-11.14, no one may film or photograph on a publicly-owned or controlled site, facility, or right-of-way in a participating incorporated or unincorporated area without a permit. In UMSA, the County Mayor's designee sets the permit criteria; inside a participating municipality, that municipality sets its own criteria through an interlocal agreement with the County, which can issue the municipal permit on the city's behalf. Crews of fewer than three using only a single hand-held camera or tripod, without weapons, animals, stunts, or exclusive-use claims, are exempt, as are breaking-news crews.
Violations & Fines
Filming without a required permit, or breaching permit conditions, is a violation under § 2-11.14(d), enforceable through Chapter 8CC civil penalties, plus permit revocation and removal from the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does one Miami-Dade film permit cover the whole county?
Do student filmmakers need a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida special events & permits overview
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