Permits for Filming

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Thank you for your interest in filming in Chicago. We are here to assist you with all of your permitting needs and look forward to working with you. Here are a few guidelines to get you started:

• Permits are issued by the City of Chicago for the purpose of filming on the public way (streets, sidewalks, alleys, etc)

• Permits are valid for a specific location, date and duration.

• Permit approval takes into consideration the existing traffic conditions and community characteristics of the requested location.

• Processing time is determined by the scope of the request – however, most permits require a minimum of 48 business hours to process.

• For information about filming requirements and rates for other City departments and venues including the Chicago Park District and Millennium Park, click here.

NOTE: News crews, handheld interviews, documentaries, B-roll, and other low impact productions typically do not require a permit, as long as it does not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Let us know your production plan and we can advise you.

DEADLINE:

Starting July 1, all permit requests will need to be received by our office a minimum of 2 ½ business days prior to the requested start time/date.

FOR EXAMPLE: a permit request for a 6:00am start on Friday will need to be submitted NO LATER than 12:00pm (noon) on Tuesday. A permit request for a 6:00am start on a Monday will need to be submitted NO LATER than 12:00pm on Wednesday the week prior.

Permits that call for street closures, re-routes, stunts, special effects and other complex logistics will require additional time to evaluate and approve. In all cases, it’s essential for a production representative to discuss the shoot specifics with the CFO in advance of this deadline to identify desired locations, logistic needs and limitations, city services, etc.

When emailing us a permit application (Letter of Intent), send it to our filmoffice@cityofchicago.org address. All CFO staff receive email through this address. Please then call our office to confirm that your request has been received.

To give these requests the time and attention they need, your adherence to this policy is appreciated.

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS:

The following must be received by the Chicago Film Office to process a permit request:

1. Letter of Intent
2. Certificate of Insurance
3. Payment
4. Community Relations

1. LETTER OF INTENT

To apply for a permit, you must complete a Letter of Intent for each location. “Location” includes the area where you intend to film, as well as production vehicle and equipment staging. Permits are only valid for the parking of essential production vehicles, and NOT for crew cars.

Please be specific when providing location boundaries, including street names, direction and addresses.

Per permit approval, the City of Chicago will post “no parking” signs in the designated areas. It is the responsibility of the production to verify that signs are posted accurately and to remove them at wrap.

With proper posting and advance notice to the community (48 hour minimum), cars parked within permitted areas can be relocated by authorized City of Chicago tow trucks. Please contact the Film Office to make arrangements, or work with the on-site officer. DO NOT CALL OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS.

Chicago Police Department (CPD) personnel are required for any street closures or traffic control. Police services are paid for by the production. We will assist you in making the proper arrangements with the CPD for the required personnel. Production is responsible for providing timecards and paperwork to each officer.

Any use of prop weapons or special effects must be discussed with the Film Office in advance. Special Effects may require a separate license and can only be performed under the supervision of police and/or fire department personnel. Any use of prop guns will also require the supervision a police officer and proper notification to the neighborhood.

Students, please remember that we are a resource center and we are here to help. Give us a call to set up a time to discuss your project. We will go over the process and the important things you need to know to ensure a smooth production.

Letter of Intent Form (PDF)

NOTE: When completing the PDF form, please first save it to your desktop then complete the form and save it as a PDF. Then email the PDF to filmoffice@cityofchicago.org for processing.

Letter of Intent (word document)

2. CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE

A Certificate of Insurance that meets the specified limits and names the City of Chicago as an additional insured is required. Policies must reflect the following minimum requirements:

• General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence; $500,000 per person

• The City of Chicago must appear as an "additional named insured" and listed as follows:
  City of Chicago
  121 N. LaSalle Street
  Chicago, Illinois 60602

• Workman's Compensation (only when hiring police/fire personnel)

Sample Insurance (PDF)

NOTE: The Film Office no longer keeps insurance certificates on file. A current certificate must be submitted prior to EACH production.

3. PAYMENT

Permit fees are $25 per day per location.

Payments can be made in person, via email or by mail:

• Cash (in person only and exact amount please)

• Check (made payable to the “City of Chicago”)

• Credit Card (with a completed credit card authorization form)

Credit Card Form (PDF)

NOTE: The Film Office will no longer keep credit card information on file. A new authorization must be submitted for EACH production.

4. COMMUNITY RELATIONS

It is the producer’s responsibility to properly notify and leaflet neighboring residents and/or businesses. Leaflets should provide pertinent details:

• Production Company/Project Title

• Dates/Times

• Parking /Traffic Restrictions

• Special effects (if any)

• Contact Names & Phone Numbers

Early and thorough notification is not only a courtesy; it’s an effective and indispensable part of production prep.

Do not distribute the leaflets until your request has been submitted to the Chicago Film Office and approved by the Department of Transportation.

Sample Leaflet (PDF)

Please review the Code of Contact and share with the crew. It is your responsibility to create a positive experience for Chicagoans and we look to you and your crew to be respectful and courteous to all. Please leave your location clean, making sure to remove all production signage and trash.

Code of Conduct (PDF)