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The wild eye energy on Bourbon Street. Porches that stretch across the French Colonial buildings and Creole Cottages. If you’ve ever been, you know New Orleans has a certain je ne sais quoi.
From 21 Jump Street to 12 Years a Slave, the Big Easy has been the backdrop for many memorable films. If you're looking to shoot your next commercial, feature, or TV show in NOLA, you'll need a New Orleans film permit.
In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about New Orleans film permits—what they cover, how to apply, how much it costs, and what you’ll need to complete a New Orleans film permit application.
A New Orleans film permit is required for most commercial filmmaking activities that impact public spaces. These permits help the city minimize disruption to local residents and businesses, while ensuring that the production goes off smoothly.
Generally, there are two main permits you’ll need:
Before filming can begin, productions must also schedule a City Hall production meeting. During this meeting, city agencies will review your locations and plans to determine the impact on the city.
At a glance, a permit might be required if your shoot involves:
New Orleans is home to many historic landmarks, like Jackson Square and the French Quarter. If you wish to film in any of these iconic locations, you will need additional approvals and agreements with other city partners.
As with any permitting process, the more detailed and timely your application is, the smoother the process will go.
All permits are issued through Film New Orleans (FNO). It operates under the Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy and works with the community and established neighborhood associations to accommodate productions.
FNO also coordinated with other city agencies/departments, especially if you need law enforcement, street closures, or any additional assistance.
Generally speaking, the City of New Orleans requires film and location permits for any commercial or student films shooting in New Orleans.
Productions planning on shooting b-roll in the city are also required to obtain a b-roll film permit that is provided at no additional cost.
There are a few key steps you must complete to secure film and location permits in New Orleans. Here's a high-level overview of how the process works:
Start by filling out the Film Permit application on the Film New Orleans website.
You’ll need to submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) for at least $1 million in general liability. Email the COI directly to Megan San Martin at megan.sanmartin@nola.gov.
Check out the Film New Orleans COI page for more details.
Filmmakers will also need to sign and submit the Film New Orleans Policies and Procedures to Megan San Martin at megan.sanmartin@nola.gov.
A production meeting with the City is required unless you're filming a commercial, music video, documentary, or your film crew is less than 20 people.
Be prepared to submit a list of locations and ensure that you provide schematics for each location you plan to use. FNO will invite the relevant city departments to participate in the meeting and approve your permit request.
Reach out to brittany.chandler@nola.gov to schedule this meeting.
Once your New Orleans film permit is approved, you can apply for a location permit for each filming location that impacts city streets, sidewalks, or the right of way.
You will need to provide the following information:
Submit all documents at least four to six business days before your prep day.
You must hand-deliver flyers to all residences and businesses immediately adjacent to your permitted areas at least 72 hours before prep begins.
All flyers must include the following:
All flyers must be submitted for review and approved before distribution. Failure to distribute these flyers could result in the permits being suspended and revoked.
New Orleans film permits are valid for the specific shoot dates listed in your permit application. If your shooting schedule changes after approval, reach out to FNO as soon as possible.
Yes. Once you’ve received your general Film Permit, you’ll need to apply for a separate location permit for each place you plan to film in.
Depending on your desired shoot location, you may need the stamp of approval outside FNO. For example, if you plan on filming in the French Quarter Historic District or Jackson Square, you must coordinate with FNO and other city departments—such as the Department of Parks and Railways—for approval.
To help coordinate approval from any public entities, be sure to include an overall calendar for the shoot detailing the location(s) and physical address(es) for each day.
Before you can get a New Orleans film permit, you’ll need production insurance that includes $1 million general liability. The COI must also include the following details:
Even if your shoot doesn’t require a permit, it’s a smart move to secure insurance to protect your crew, equipment, and locations from unexpected issues.
Reach out if you need help securing the right policy for your project.
Think of getting a film permit like arriving at the airport early, you always want to give yourself more time in case something comes up.
Turnaround times for a New Orleans film permit depend on the size and scope of the shoot. FNO requires permit applications to be submitted in advance based on the length of your shoot:
Certain permit requests might take longer if the shoot includes any of the following:
As a rule of thumb, producers should always apply early, submit all the necessary documents, and stay organized to keep things moving smoothly.
The film permit application fee costs $25, and the permit itself costs $500.
The location permit application fee costs $25, and the permit also costs $25.
Additional costs may apply for things like meter rentals, street closures, or off-duty city personnel.
Obtaining a film permit from FNO is a win/win for producers. It sets your production up for success while helping the city manage logistics and support its vibrant creative economy.
As with any permitting process, be sure to give yourself enough time to gather your documents, secure insurance, and complete all the necessary steps. The earlier you start, the smoother your production will go.If you’re shortlisting potential film locations for a project, be sure to check out our other guides on LA film permits, NYC film permits, and Chicago film permits.
