Miami Beach Film

[Janne Desir]

Film & Print permits are required for individuals and businesses wishing to conduct commercial film, television, video, photography, and all other media use projects taking place on public property, at residential locations, when City services are required, like reserving meters for production parking, or when productions may have an impact on traffic, residents and City services.

Citywide permits are the only permits that do not require an officer escort, with some exemptions at the discretion of the Film & Print Office. Miami Beach Citywide permits allow for small teams (typically twelve or less people in total) with minimal equipment (must be easily and quickly transported) to film on Miami Beach streets, sidewalks, City beaches, and parks that do not require rental fees, assuming the production does not block pedestrian or vehicular traffic or impact private business or concessionaire without specific coordination. Equipment allowed includes a camera, tripod, reflectors, and battery-operated lights. No generators or cabling allowed. No reserved or authorized parking is permitted, including vehicles on beaches or parks. Miami Beach Citywide does not include residential areas, aerial or driving shots, which require additional coordination and permitting in the City of Miami Beach.

Indemnity agreements must be completed by the President or a legally authorized individual representative of the applicant. The Indemnity agreement must be notarized by a notary public which is found worldwide or in lieu of this, the company can place their government-issued corporate seal.

Submit your print or film permit request using the Civic Access Online Portal. The link will take you directly to the Film and Print list of permits. Once on the portal you must either login to your account or sign up for a new account.

Please view the instructional video on this page detailing the process for locating all Film and Print permits, then proceed to register an account and submit your permit application. Ensure that you have the required Indemnity Agreement and Certificate of Insurance PDF documents prepared before initiating the permit application process, as outlined above.

Please note that the City of Miami Beach and the City of Miami are two separate cities. If you wish to apply for a permit for the City of Miami, for areas like Downtown Miami, Wynwood, Little Havana, Little Haiti, etc., please visit: Get a Film Permit - Miami

Securing an area for drone use can be done by hiring off-duty officers and possibly Ocean Rescue if appropriate. The Film office will review all requests with the production to determine staffing levels and may be able to recommend more affordable alternatives.

No matter the size of the production or the type of residence. Filming or shooting stills on residential property without a permit is a code violation and can result in a citation being issued. Permittees will be given all instructions and guidance on how to coordinate a residential permit at the time of application.

We realize that it may be difficult to determine which category your production will fall under, please call our office to discuss your proposed production so we can guide you to the proper department if necessary. If you would like to review the Special Event Permitting requirements, please go to the link below.

The Film & Print Office works quickly and collaboratively to help support and expedite all of your production needs. We attempt to issue all permits within a few hours of all deliverables being submitted by the client. The more complex the permit request, the more time the client needs to complete the coordination.

In order to obtain a permit to film in any of the FilMiami jurisdictions -- Miami Beach or Miami-Dade County -- you must email an insurance certificate for one million dollars General Liability Insurance naming that jurisdiction as additionally insured.

The insurance certificate must be emailed to the film office for the jurisdiction where you want to film. The wording to appear on the insurance certificates is:
Certificate holder is named as an Additional insured as their interests may appear, but only as to respects claims arising out of the operations of the Named Insured.

In addition to the general liability insurance requirement, the City of Miami Beach has an additional Indemnity Agreement that must be signed prior to receiving a permit.

Each Municipality requires an insurance certificate naming them as additionally insured as certificate holder. Use the addresses below for the insurance certificates and email them to DB...@miamidade.gov:

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As an International travel destination and recently recognized as the "World's Leading Lifestyle Destination" by the World Travel Awards, Miami Beach is the perfect backdrop for the film and TV community interested in securing new and additive locations for upcoming films, scripted television, documentaries and more. To help support filming efforts, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) has announced The Film Incentive Grant Program, developed to attract and encourage film production on Miami Beach. Featuring famous shorelines and waters, history-making art deco design and architecture and home to newly-rated Michelin star restaurants and celebrity Chefs, Miami Beach provides production teams with a diverse environment to enhance storylines and production. The Film Incentive Grant applies to audio-visual productions, scripted feature films and televisions show, documentaries and short films. The full list of applicable projects and exclusions can be found here.

"For decades, Miami Beach has welcomed a variety of production teams and film crews, understanding the need to deliver an abundance of accommodations and varying locations to enhance filming and audience engagement," says Peggy Benua, Chairwoman of the MBVCA. "The Film Incentive Grant Program provides monetary support to production houses while also increasing hotel revenue through contract room nights on Miami Beach."

Eligible projects can request one-fourth of their Miami Beach production costs, up to $50,000 through the MBVCA's Film Grant Incentive Program. Notable TV series collections including Ballers, Dexter, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Magic City have all sourced locations along Miami Beach and films like Miami Vice (The Movie) and iconic cinema adventures including The Birdcage and Scarface, are synonymous with Miami Beach.

"Production scouts can easily explore Miami Beach through our interactive app options, including the new EXP Miami Beach Tours App, to access custom itineraries and stand-out landmarks perfect for filming, "add Grisette Marcos, Executive Director of the MBVCA.

From Ocean Drive's colorful landscape of architecture and South Pointe Park's stunning vantage point to intricately-designed spaces along Espanola Way to sprawling hotel suites overlooking the Atlantic, Miami Beach features prime real estate for teams and crews scouting new locations domestically. The versatility of the destination paired with unique experiences and attractions for talent to enjoy while in town, allows the Film Incentive Grant Program to assist maximizing production budget and leveraging a location that is easily accessible and nimble based on overall filming needs.

To explore Miami Beach for filming consideration, download the newly-launched EXP Miami Beach Tours App, now available for download on both Apple and Google platforms and follow @experiencemiamiamibeach on Instagram.

If you go to the FilMiami website, you can complete an online permitting application for all of your media needs for Miami-Dade County property or services (such as the police or fire department), as well as 16 of the municipalities.

City of Miami Beach: If you plan to only film in the City of Miami Beach, and do not need any Miami-Dade County services, you can apply for your film permit through the Miami Beach Film Office for free. You will need a permit for filming on any private property, as well as public property.

Film permits are necessary for all film, video, photography and other media projects on public property, residential locations, when city services are required, or when productions may impact traffic/residents/city services.

Do you need to park directly on the beach sand? You can purchase a Vehicle Beach Access Pass (VBAP) for each vehicle. Each pass (per day) is $150 unless the vehicles do not move during use. Also, the first pass per day is free. Police must escort all active vehicles at all times. For other parking rules and permit information for the City Miami Beach continue here.

In addition, you must send out a Filming Notification Form to all neighbors within 500ft. Filming is only permitted from 7am to 10pm, and during holidays 8am to 10pm. Outside of those hours, written agreement is needed by the homeowner and included in the notification form for the neighbors. These signatures from homeowners need to be collected and then submitted to the Film & Print Office.

The City of Miami Beach is a state hotspot, and that often makes finding public parking a challenge. Do you need on-street meter rentals or parking spaces in city lots or garages in public space? If yes, then you must arrange that with the City Parking Department and the Office of Film & Print. Keep in mind, because of the high demand, the Parking Department will only rent parking meters for vehicles essential to the production. Public parking needs can be determined through your Film Application Process. While Ocean Drive is an iconic film location, you can not park your car along that street.

If your parking request will have a direct impact on a resident or homeowner, a letter of no objection (basically a letter stating they agree to your production vehicle parking in that spot) may be needed. The Film & Print Office will determine if that letter or a notification is needed for the meter rentals.

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