Las Vegas Filming Permits: Who Issues Them, Costs and Lead Times
The first question on any Las Vegas shoot is not the camera. It is who owns the ground you are standing on. The Strip, downtown and Henderson are run by different governments, and each one has its own permit office, fees, lead times and insurance rules. This guide collects them in one place, sourced from the official pages, so you can plan the paperwork before you plan the shots.
Who issues the permit
| Where you are filming | Lead time | Cost | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Strip and unincorporated Clark County Clark County Business License, online application | At least 10 calendar days before the first shoot day | Permit is free; $45 processing fee | $1,000,000, naming Clark County and LVMPD as additional insureds |
| Downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street City of Las Vegas Film Permits office | 5 working days; 14 working days if the shoot disrupts roads or traffic | No permit fee | General liability $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate, workers compensation, employer liability $1M; name the City and LVMPD, plus Fremont Street Experience, LLC when filming there |
| Henderson Henderson Police Department, Special Events and Permitting | Apply 30 to 180 days before the shoot | $125 per calendar month or portion of a month | $1,000,000 per incident naming the City of Henderson, plus proof of workers compensation |
North Las Vegas and other cities in the valley run their own processes. If your location sits near a boundary, check the address with the county assessor or the permit office before you apply.
When you need a permit on the Strip
Clark County is clear that commercial work needs a permit, with no exemption for small crews. From the county's film permit FAQ:
- Commercial photo and video of any kind, including stills, music videos, documentaries and television. Social media creators need one if they expect to monetize the content.
- Outdoors at a business or a home, even with the owner's permission.
- Inside a casino, the county does not require a permit, but you need the property's permission. Many Strip sidewalks in front of resorts are private property too.
- The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is limited to 30 minutes of filming unless you get extended approval.
- The airport has its own commercial filming application through Harry Reid International.
- Holidays: no filming on federal or state recognized holidays under a county permit.
Every county permit also needs a signed hold harmless agreement, and a location agreement whenever you film on private property.
When you need a permit downtown
The City of Las Vegas requires a permit for filming in the public right of way. On private property, a permit is needed in residential areas and for scenes involving fights, chases, police uniforms or vehicles, weapons, or special effects such as fire, lasers or pyrotechnics. Commercial filming by social media influencers also needs a permit. Applications go to the city by email at Filming@LasVegasNevada.gov, and the office is at 495 S. Main Street.
If the shoot needs lane or road closures, traffic control, stunts, pyrotechnics or a drone, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department asks for 14 calendar days of notice to staff it.
Filming in neighborhoods
Residential shoots carry extra rules in unincorporated Clark County: notify residents at least 48 hours ahead, no drones, no base camps, and get approval before any lane closure, traffic interruption or special effect.
Drones
Every commercial drone flight needs an FAA Part 107 certified pilot, and much of the valley sits inside Harry Reid International's controlled airspace. On top of the FAA, Clark County requires FAA approval and does not allow drones in residential areas, and the City of Las Vegas asks for the FAA authorization for the specific drone and LVMPD staffing with 14 days of notice. Our Las Vegas drone laws guide covers the airspace in detail.
Register with the Nevada Film Office
Nevada law requires productions to register with the Nevada Film Office. Registration is free, and the county and city permit offices both point applicants to it.
A simple timeline
- Six weeks out: lock locations and confirm which jurisdiction each one falls in. Henderson needs at least 30 days.
- Three weeks out: request the certificate of insurance with the right additional insureds, and register with the Nevada Film Office.
- Two weeks out: submit city and county applications, and request LVMPD staffing for any closures or drone work.
- 48 hours out: notify residents for neighborhood shoots, and carry printed permits and agreements on set.
How we handle it
On our Las Vegas productions, permits and certificates of insurance are part of preproduction. We confirm the jurisdiction for every location, file the applications and carry the paperwork on set, so clients can focus on the creative. Fees and police staffing costs set by the agencies are passed through at cost.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to film on the Las Vegas Strip?
For commercial work, yes. The Strip between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road is unincorporated Clark County, which requires a film permit for commercial photography and video, including monetized social media content, with no exemption for small crews.
How much is a Clark County film permit?
The permit itself is free. Clark County charges a $45 processing fee, paid online after review. Other agencies can charge separately for police staffing, traffic control or location use.
How far ahead do I apply?
At least 10 calendar days before the first shoot day for Clark County, 5 working days for the City of Las Vegas (14 with road or traffic disruption), and 30 to 180 days for Henderson.
Do I need a permit to film inside a casino?
Clark County does not require a film permit for filming inside a casino, but you need permission from the property. Resorts set their own rules for crews and equipment.
What insurance do I need?
Clark County requires $1,000,000 naming Clark County and LVMPD. The City of Las Vegas requires general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, workers compensation and employer liability. Henderson requires $1,000,000 per incident naming the city.
We handle the paperwork.
Tell us the locations and dates. We confirm the jurisdiction, file the permits and carry the insurance.
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Sources checked October 14, 2026: Clark County film permit FAQ; City of Las Vegas film permits and its film permit FAQ; City of Henderson film permit requirements; Nevada Film Office. Rules change, so confirm with each office before you shoot. This is general information, not legal advice.