Dallas Filming Permits: When You Need One and Who to Call
Dallas is a friendly city to film in, but public spaces still come with paperwork. The City of Dallas lists exactly when a commercial filming permit is required, and Dallas County has its own rules for its buildings. Here is what the official pages say, who to call, and what to ask before you book a shoot day.
When the City of Dallas requires a permit
According to the city, a commercial filming permit is required for:
- Filming or related activity on public property, buildings, facilities or public space, including still photography, commercials, documentaries and student films.
- B-roll of city property such as parks, Pioneer Plaza, Dealey Plaza or City Hall Plaza.
- Using city streets or alleys, including lane or street closures and traffic control.
- Closing or blocking public sidewalks.
- Filming Dallas Police or Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel or property.
- Showing the city flag, seal or insignia.
- Parking on a restricted curb lane or street, or using city-owned facilities.
The Office of Special Events can also decide that other situations need a permit, so call when in doubt.
Who to contact
| Office | What they handle | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| City of Dallas Office of Special Events | Commercial filming permits on city property, streets, sidewalks and facilities | 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas, TX 75202 214-939-2701 CCTSpecialevents@dallascityhall.com |
| Dallas County Facilities Management | Filming at county buildings, exteriors and interiors | DCFMOPS@dallascounty.org 214-653-7839 |
Filming at Dallas County buildings
- Exterior B-roll of county buildings is allowed without Commissioners Court approval.
- Interior filming needs Commissioners Court approval, which the county says takes about 10 business days.
- Every county shoot needs a location agreement. Send the company name, requested date and a short description of the project.
- Availability changes. When we checked, the county listed no jail cells for filming, several courtrooms unavailable, and the Old Red Courthouse closed to filming during construction.
Drones over Dallas
Commercial drone work needs an FAA Part 107 certified pilot, and much of the city sits under airspace for DFW International and Dallas Love Field. For drone shots at county property, Dallas County asks you to get the city permit first and then send it to the county for approval. Our Dallas drone videographer guide covers airspace and authorizations.
What to ask before you apply
The city's filming page lists when a permit is needed, but not every fee and deadline. Ask the Office of Special Events about:
- How many business days ahead to apply for your type of shoot.
- Application and permit fees, and any charge for off-duty police.
- Certificate of insurance requirements and who to name as additional insured.
- Notice requirements for nearby residents and businesses.
- Whether a pre-production meeting is required for closures or large crews.
Private property and the suburbs
The city's list focuses on public property and city resources. For shoots on private property, the owner's written location agreement comes first, and anything that spills onto public sidewalks, streets or parking can bring a permit back into play. Plano, Frisco, Fort Worth, Irving and the other DFW cities each run their own process, so check with the city where the location sits.
A simple timeline
- Four weeks out: lock locations and confirm the city or county for each address.
- Three weeks out: call the permit office, confirm fees, lead time and insurance, and request county approval for interiors.
- Two weeks out: submit applications and the certificate of insurance; book police support if needed.
- Shoot day: carry permits and location agreements on set.
How we handle it
We film monthly across Dallas–Fort Worth, and permits are part of our preproduction. We confirm jurisdictions, file applications and provide the certificate of insurance, so the shoot day is about the work.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to film in Dallas?
You need a City of Dallas permit when filming uses public property or city resources, such as parks, plazas, streets, sidewalks, city buildings, police or fire personnel, or restricted curb parking. B-roll of places like Dealey Plaza and City Hall Plaza is included.
Who issues filming permits in Dallas?
The City of Dallas Office of Special Events, at 650 S. Griffin Street, 214-939-2701, CCTSpecialevents@dallascityhall.com.
Can I film at Dallas County buildings?
Exterior B-roll is allowed without Commissioners Court approval. Interior filming needs Commissioners Court approval, which takes about 10 business days, and every shoot needs a location agreement with the county.
Do suburbs like Plano or Frisco use the Dallas permit?
No. Each city in Dallas–Fort Worth runs its own permit process, so contact the city where the location sits.
Can I fly a drone in Dallas?
Commercial flights need an FAA Part 107 pilot and airspace authorization near DFW and Love Field. For county property, Dallas County asks for the city permit first, then reviews the drone request.
We handle the permits.
Tell us where and when. We confirm the jurisdiction, file the paperwork and bring the insurance.
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Sources checked October 14, 2026: City of Dallas: when is a commercial filming permit needed; Dallas County: filming at county facilities. Fees, deadlines and insurance minimums are set by the city and can change, so confirm them with the Office of Special Events. This is general information, not legal advice.