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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter
RMC Ch. 5.20, not 5.13
Special-event permit
Not required for filming
Film permit
Still required under Ch. 5.20
Applies to
Motion picture, TV, still photography

Summary

Reno exempts film and TV production from its special-event permit chapter entirely, but only because a separate film permit under Chapter 5.20 takes over instead.

The following activities are exempt from the permit requirement set forth in section 5.13.030: ... (5) Motion picture and television and commercial still photography production activities. A film permit for these activities is required in accordance with Reno Municipal Code Chapter 5.20.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Administrative Code: Supplement 64 | Land Development Code: Supplement 5 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Reno Municipal Code § 5.13.040(a)(5) exempts motion picture, television, and commercial still-photography production from the special-event permit requirement in Chapter 5.13. That exemption doesn't mean filming is unregulated: the same subsection directs production activity to the film permit process in RMC Chapter 5.20 instead. A crew shooting a commercial or TV episode on Reno streets applies for a Chapter 5.20 film permit, not a Chapter 5.13 special-event permit; using the wrong track can get an application bounced back.

Violations & Fines

Conducting a film/TV/photo shoot on city property without the required Chapter 5.20 film permit is unlawful; the special-event permit under Chapter 5.13 does not substitute for it and vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a commercial shoot in Reno need a special-event permit?
No. RMC § 5.13.040(a)(5) exempts motion picture, TV, and commercial still-photography production from the special-event permit requirement.
So filming in Reno is unpermitted?
No: the exemption redirects production activity to the separate film permit required under Reno Municipal Code Chapter 5.20.

Sources & Official References

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