City Guide Filming in Allentown, PA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by the Bureau of Special Events
- Film Permit Application Fee: $75
Minimum Insurance
- General liability limit
- Auto liability limit
- Employer’s liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Allentown
Some cities in Pennsylvania are very popular among filmmakers. If you are a producer, you will most likely consider Philadelphia and Pittsburgh as the top filming cities before any other cities in the state. Mind you, Allentown is also a reputable filmmaking destination and has been a hub for film production since the early 1900s. As a historic city founded in 1762, Allentown is located about fifty miles north of Philadelphia and is the county seat of Lehigh County.
As a city in Pennsylvania, Allentown is attractive for filming, thanks to the incentives that production companies enjoy whenever they bring their business here. These incentives come in the form of tax credits on production and hotel accommodation benefits. Moreover, Allentown is a historic locale with plenty of spots, structures, and areas that perfectly fit into the requirements of producers, not to mention being able to double as other locations within and outside the region.
As for the filmography of Allentown, projects such as Glass (2019), Hairspray (1988), Bereavement (2010), Malevolence (I) (2004), The Simple Life (2003–2007), Executive Suite (1954), Where Angels Go Trouble Follows! (1968), Malevolence 3: Killer (2018), Yesterday's Children (2000), Room 9 (2021), and Beaster Day: Here Comes Peter Cottonhell (2014) were filmed in part or wholly in Allentown. Check out Giggster now to find the location in Allentown that suits your production needs.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Allentown?
Before you can carry out any kind of commercial film production in Allentown, you must first obtain a permit. This is even more important if you plan to make use of city-owned property or city equipment for filming. Moreover, the same applies if you will require City services for your filming activities.
If you intend to make use of flame effects or pyrotechnics during your production, you must also apply to the Allentown Fire Department for a Flame Effect Permit and a Pyrotechnic Permit. The Public Works Department in the city handles applications for Temporary and Permanent Encroachment as well, should this be required during filming.
Filming in Allentown for personal reasons or use, such as while with friends and family, does not require a permit. However, just to be on the safe side and maintain compliance with Allentown filming laws, feel free to reach out to the Bureau of Special Events for guidance.
Permit Management in Allentown
The Bureau of Special Events
The Bureau of Special Events in the Department of Community and Economic Development issues the required permit for filming in Allentown. If you wish to film here in the city, you are required to submit your application for a permit via email at least sixty days before the scheduled date of commencement. The requirements for the permit are as follows:
Complete the application form.
Pay the application fee.
Provide a site map or route map.
Submit a parking plan.
Provide a certificate of insurance that complies with the production insurance requirements of the city.
Provide any other document or approval deemed necessary by the Bureau of Special Events based on the nature of your production.
Applications that are submitted without complete documentation or those sent in later than the required notice period may attract additional fees or not even be processed. So, endeavor to comply as early as possible and complete all forms appropriately.
Your application will be subject to the review of various city departments like the Police, Fire, Public Works, and Finance, where necessary, to determine the conditions that need to be put in place before the production. An example of such a condition could be that patrol or security officers be on hand during filming to protect the peace and public safety.
Although the Bureau of Special Events liaises with other units in the city, it is still your responsibility as the filmmaker to satisfy the requirements or conditions that these units impose before you can commence production in Allentown.
What Insurance Do I Need in Allentown?
Before you can be issued a permit to film in Allentown, you must first meet the city’s insurance requirements for production. This means you must provide a certificate of insurance that names the city and its personnel as an additional insured at least thirty days from the date that filming is scheduled to commence.
The insurance policy must remain valid for the entire period that filming will take place in Allentown. Also, the insurance certificate must be accepted and approved by the Risk and Safety Manager of the city for it to hold valid for your production.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Allentown?
Allentown features several neighborhoods that offer brilliant opportunities for filmmakers to set up shop and do their thing. Center City, for instance, is a major business district in the city and consists of several federal, county, and city government buildings. The Wards, east of Center City, is a residential area that grew in the late 1800s to early 1900s during the city’s industrial boom. Cultural centers, commercial areas, and single-family residential apartments are in the city’s West End neighborhood. The southern areas of the city also feature residential apartments as well.
If you are interested in making use of landmark locations in Allentown for your production, then visit spots such as the Allentown Art Museum, Baum School of Art, Miller Symphony, Liberty Bell Museum, and Lehigh County Historical Society and Heritage Museum. Check out any of the three historic districts in Allentown for cool spots that just might be what you had in mind to use as a backdrop for your movie scenes.
Right here in Allentown, you will come across a wide range of century-old industrial buildings, historic homes, and commercial structures that tell the story of the city’s early urban exploits. The architectural landscape features Victorian and terraced buildings as well as American Craftsman-style structures. Some of the houses in the city’s West End neighborhood were built in the first half of the 20th century, while those in the East and South Sides are from the 1940s to 1960s.
As for the outdoor areas in Allentown, there’s so much for you to choose from when trying to decide on where you would like to set up your production stage. The city comprises beautiful roads and paths, tree-lined streets, and picturesque parks. Some of the parks in the city that are popular for filming include Cedar Creek Parkway, East Side Reservoir, Fountain Park, Jackson Street Park, Kimmets Lock Park, Lehigh Parkway, Malcolm Gross Rose Garden, Roosevelt Park, South Mountain Reservoir, Stevens Park, Trout Creek Park, Union Terrace Park, and West Park.
Special Requirements in Allentown
Allentown
As a filmmaker that plans to do business in Allentown, prepare to abide by the parking regulations and guidelines issued by the Allentown Parking Authority.
Lehigh - Northampton Airport Authority
Before you can carry out commercial filming on Lehigh – Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA) property, you must first submit your request at least two weeks before the date of planned production to the LNAA and attach proof of insurance.
After you submit the request, the nature and size of your production will be assessed based on its merits and how it affects the airport’s operations as well as staff and passenger safety. Thereafter, the fees for your production, the staff required, and the facilities to use for filming will be determined by the LNAA. If you have unique or specific requests, these may attract additional fees. One of LNAA’s requirements is that an LNAA staff must be on hand for the entire duration of filming.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issues Special Events Permit to filmmakers. The permit authorizes the filmmaker to temporarily close roads and carry out activities related to production on PennDOT’s right-of-way. The special events permit does not replace the film permit issued by the Bureau of Special Events in Allentown.
The process of obtaining a PennDOT permit is as follows:
Complete and submit the special event permit application at least three weeks before the date of filming.
Notify the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) of the filming activity.
Provide the map of the filming location route and alternate traffic route.
Provide evidence of insurance:
Public liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage of at least $250,000 per person.
Public liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence.
Name the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an additional insured.
Provide a copy of the film permit request letter sent to the Bureau of Special Events.
Provide approval for filming from the Bureau of Special Events.
What Does it Cost to Film in Allentown?
All permits to engage in commercial film production must be accompanied by a fee, as determined by the filming regulations in Allentown. After the film production request is submitted, the filmmaker will receive an estimate of the costs of the public safety services required for the project. Thereafter, the filmmaker must pay a deposit for these services before filming commences in the city. After production is complete, the actual costs will be reconciled appropriately with the filmmaker. If Emergency Medical Services are required, the filmmaker will receive the bill for those services and cover them. The same applies to the services of Fire personnel. The application fee for a film permit in Allentown is a non-refundable $75. If the application is submitted less than sixty days before the date of filming, an additional late fee of $25 will be charged. There is a $50 charge for street closures as well. There are fees for using barricades, No Parking Signs, Traffic Cones, and cleanup services
Additional Fees
Large-scale productions or those with extensive equipment setups might have to pay additional fees for environmental impact or cleanup services, especially if the shoot involves significant alterations to public areas. It's crucial to contact the Allentown City Hall, Film Office, or relevant local authorities well before your planned shoot to get detailed information on permits, fees, and any other requirements specific to your production.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Allentown?
Allentown lies in the Lehigh Valley within Lehigh County in between two mountain ranges known as Blue Mountain and South Mountain. The city is bordered on the north by Fullerton and on the south by Emmaus. Fountain Hill and Bethlehem lie to the east, while Wescosville is located to the west of the city. Nearby counties include Carbon, Bucks, Northampton, Montgomery, and Berks. The Lehigh River flows into the city from the north and out via the east to Bethlehem. Bethlehem The city of Bethlehem welcomes film producers to practice their craft in the city. Anyone that intends to carry out commercial film production here must apply for a permit from the Recreation Bureau ninety days before the proposed event and pay the non-refundable $100 application fee. The application form must be accompanied by a site map, and both can be submitted via email. A comprehensive list of the fees associated with filming in Bethlehem is available here. If street closures are required during filming, the application will be reviewed by the Police Department and Public Works Traffic Bureau. Before you can close state roads in Bethlehem for filming, you must secure a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. If you wish to film with fireworks special effects such as pyrotechnics, open flames, etc., you will require a fire permit as well, which you will obtain from the Fire Department. Regarding the insurance requirement for film production in Bethlehem, you must provide a certificate of insurance that names the city and its employees as additional insured. Furthermore, the insurance must cover general liability of at least $1,000,000. Bucks County The Bucks County Film Office manages the process of securing film permits in the county. Furthermore, the Film Office helps filmmakers with additional services like location scouting, township liaisons, catering, and accommodation. Bucks County Film Office also provides contacts of municipalities within the county for filmmakers to obtain permits. If you wish to film on any of Bucks County’s properties, reach out to the Film Office’s Senior Marketing and Communications Manager for the things you require. The county features scenic landscapes, historic stone homes, lakes, parks, and many more locations that have been used in documentaries, TV shows, and award-winning movies. Montgomery County Montgomery County welcomes filmmakers to its grounds for commercial motion picture production. If you wish to make use of any of the county’s properties for filming, contact the Communications & Media Relations Manager, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board via email for inquiries about what to expect, how to begin, and what is required. Hellertown The Hellertown Borough Council sets the guidelines for filming in Hellertown. If you wish to film here, you must submit your permit application at least thirty days before the date you intend to commence production. Thereafter, the Council will review your application in conjunction with the Police Department and Public Works Department and notify you about what you need to provide in line with the following: Evidence of Insurance Evidence of bonding Indemnification Associated fees Easton The Mayor’s Office of Special Events coordinates the permit process for special events including filming in the city of Easton. If you plan to shoot commercial production in the city, you must submit a Special Events Request Form at least forty-five days before the date that the production is scheduled to commence. If your project will require street closure, traffic control, or some other special arrangements, you may need to attend a special meeting with the city’s Logistics Team. As for insurance, you must provide a certificate of insurance that names the city of Easton as an additional insured at least seven days before the date of filming. The liability must cover at least $1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence. Some of the filming costs in Easton include: A security deposit of $250 for city areas. Police officer fee of $65 per hour (4-hour minimum). Firefighter fee of $65 per hour (4-hour minimum). Public Works Employee fee of $65 per hour (4-hour minimum). Reading Filmmakers are welcome to shoot productions in Reading, Berks County. In line with the city's requirements, a producer must submit their application for filming at least ninety days before the planned date. Along with the application form, there is a non-refundable $100 application fee and a $500 security deposit required. Additional documents required include a certificate of comprehensive general liability insurance (covering at least $1,000,000 per occurrence), site map, signed hold harmless and indemnification agreement, and proof of non-profit status (for non-profit organizations). If the Police and Fire Departments need to be involved in the production because of its nature, the filmmaker will cover the costs of their services.
Outreach in Allentown
Before you kickstart your production in Allentown, it is good practice to reach out to the members of the community that will be affected by the proposed filming activity. This is so that they can be aware of the planned project beforehand and prepare accordingly. After all, there’s no way you and your film cast and crew will be in town without impacting the livelihood of the residents and/or businesses in one way or another.
The filming laws in Allentown do not mandate outreach before production, but it helps to create the right foundation. Sending out flyers or letters of notification that contain the duration of filming, filming hours, and some other project details days before production commences will often suffice.
Community Management in Allentown
After conducting outreach ahead of the commencement of production, it is important to maintain a good relationship with the host community during and possibly after the filming activity is complete. You do this by engaging the locals via public meetings and forums and ensuring that there is a member of your production team that is readily available or reachable whenever a concern arises that you need to address. Moreover, maintaining a clean and tidy production environment for the entire duration of your project will further foster a good relationship.
Conclusion
Allentown is one of the top cities in Pennsylvania, and that’s not only in terms of economics and population but also in the area of filmmaking. The folks in the city have been hosting production teams since 1906 and have witnessed the making of dozens of movies, TV shows, commercials, music videos, and documentaries. If you decide to visit and take a tour of the neighborhoods and districts in the city, you will see why producers like coming here with their team, even if it’s for a short project.
The Bureau of Special Events coordinates film permitting in Allentown and encourages filmmakers to send in their requests as early as possible so that all the necessary coordination with city agencies will be done ahead of the production schedule. As soon as you provide all the necessary documentation and pay the required fees, you are one step closer to bringing your ideas to reality, and Allentown will make that happen.