City Guide Filming in Fargo, ND
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: Determined on a case-by-case basis
- Film Permit Application Fee: Determined on a case-by-case basis
- Timing: One week
Minimum Insurance
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Fargo
Fargo is a city located in the southeastern end of North Dakota on the state’s boundary with Minnesota. It lies west of the city of Moorhead in Minnesota, which is widely considered to be its twin city. Fargo is the county seat of Cass County and is a renowned cultural, educational, and filmmaking center in the region.
Even though the first film here was produced in the 1910s, there were no other significant film production activities here until after the 1970s when the city once again became popular among filmmakers within and outside the region. A big contributing factor to the eventual growth of film production in Fargo was the presence of several attractions like The Lights on Sheyenne, Fargo Air Museum, The Woodchipper in Fargo, F-M Visitors Center, Bonanzaville, USA, Red River Zoo, Plains Art Museum, Historic Fargo Theatre, and Broadway Square.
Fargo is home to breathtaking locations that are great for various kinds of productions. Find one that suits your filming needs now on Giggster. Some of the top productions filmed in whole or part here in some of the top locations in Fargo include Buick Riviera (2008), The Aviators (2010), Gone (2019), Liquid Gold: From the Mediterranean to the Midwest (2022), Record Safari (2020), Hobo (1992 TV Movie), Pinching Penny (2011), Murder at the Mardi Gras (1978 TV Movie), Reclamation (II) (2018), and Nudist of the Living Dead (2017).
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Fargo?
Based on the filming laws in Fargo and North Dakota as a whole, film production activities do not require a permit in the city. This applies to educational productions, non-commercial film productions, and commercial film projects as well. In place of a film permit for your production in the city, what you may need to do is to obtain a location agreement for your project. The locations in the region that often require film permits are state parks, national parks, and Indian reservations.
If you intend to shoot production on public property in Fargo, reach out to the Division of Tourism of the North Dakota Department of Commerce with your questions and inquiries about whether you will need a film permit for your project. If you intend to film on private property in the city, what you primarily require is permission from the property owner.
If you intend to use sound amplifying equipment during your film production in Fargo, you must obtain an Amplified Sound Permit from the office of the Chief of Police in the city.
If you intend to close roads or streets in the city during production, you also need approval from the City of Fargo Engineering Department before you commence your shoot.
Production with fireworks or special effects may require approval from the city’s fire department too.
Permit Management in Fargo
The Division of Tourism
The Division of Tourism in North Dakota (known as ND Tourism) is the agency that assists filmmakers looking to shoot film production in Fargo with permitting questions and guidance on how to secure approvals and necessary agreements for their film production. NDstrong, a non-profit organization, also works together with ND Tourism to make the filmmaking experience of production companies in Fargo smooth. In addition, ND Tourism also helps film producers with these services:
Scouting ideal or potential filming locations.
Locating production resources (talents, services, film assets, etc.).
Handling any potential red tape on the day of production.
Providing production contact information where needed.
Assisting with letters of support to owners of private properties that are considered potential filming locations.
Start your production plan in Fargo by contacting the Division of Tourism. You will be given a Project Information Form to fill out so that the Division can better understand your project and what you require. You may be given additional documents to complete so that ND Tourism can best streamline your permitting process.
To film on public or municipal property in Fargo, these are general requirements:
Send advance notification about your proposed filming activities – at least one week before the filming date to give enough time for the necessary paperwork. However, the earlier the better.
Provide proof of insurance
Pay the appropriate usage fees
Although the Division of Tourism can provide filmmakers with documents to support their plan to shoot on private property in Fargo, it is the sole responsibility of the filmmaker to secure the appropriate location agreements for such properties.
What Insurance Do I Need in Fargo?
For you to shoot commercial films in public locations or on public property in Fargo, you must comply with the city’s production insurance requirements. These insurance requirements are summarized below:
Provide a certificate of insurance that names the City of Fargo as an additional insured.
Meet the insurance minimums determined necessary for your project (the minimums may vary from project to project, but you will be duly informed).
Submit the proof of insurance to the city at least ten days before the date you intend to commence filming.
Indemnify and hold harmless the City of Fargo from any claims arising from the production activities.
You may not need insurance to film on private property, but that will depend on the conditions that you agree with the property owner during your discussion with them. If you are a student filmmaker or part of an educational institution looking to carry out an educational film production for non-commercial purposes, the insurance of your school or educational institute would suffice for the city’s production insurance requirement.
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 Fargo?
As a cultural hub in the region, Fargo is home to several theaters and entertainment/event locations that can be adapted for various kinds of projects by filmmakers. These include venues in the three universities within the locality as well as other privately-owned establishments. The Fargo Theatre and Fargodome, for instance, are popular places in the city for hosting festivals, shows, performances, fairs, and gatherings, and have the space and resources that filmmakers often need for their production.
The city of Fargo also comprises different types of museums, and these further provide filming options for producers that have scripts requiring such locations. The Fargo Air Museum features traveling exhibits and aircraft from World War II, while Plain Arts Museum is home to national and regional exhibits. There are museums dedicated to popular individuals too, like the Roger Maris Museum and the Maury Wills Museum.
Fargo’s attractions also rank among the top places that filmmakers use for their film production. Places like the North Dakota Horse Park, Red River Zoo, Fargo Outdoor Skate Park, West Acres Shopping Centre, Reineke Fine Arts Center, Fargo Civic Center, John E. Carlson Coliseum, and Scheels Arena are great options for production setup. In addition, the neighborhood parks operated by the Fargo Park District comprise golf courses, ski areas, outdoor pools, campgrounds, and natural areas. Feel free to check the over 150 parks and more than 100 miles of scenic trails in the city, and you can rest assured that you will find what works for you.
As a major transportation hub in the region, Fargo also presents good opportunities for filmmaking on interstate highways and railroads as well as in an airport setting. Moreover, the city’s well-designed street system with its classic grid pattern is yet another feature that makes it attractive for outdoor filming. As for the architectural styles in Fargo, there is a nice blend of styles on display in the city. These range from Italianate to Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, Colonial Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Richardsonian Romanesque, to name a few.
Special Requirements in Fargo
Road Closures
If you wish to close or block roads or streets in the city, you must submit a request for the closure to the city’s Engineering Department or Street Department at least forty-five days before the date you intend to commence production. As part of your request, include the following documents:
A certificate of insurance.
The number of vehicles or other production equipment.
Site plan or map.
Fargo Parks
To film within a city park in Fargo, contact the Fargo Park District as early as possible and complete the special event application no later than thirty days before the filming date. Include a $150 special event fee with your application too. If you need to use sound amplification equipment, submit a permit request for it as well and include the permit fee of $50. Additional requirements are as follows:
Submit a parking plan.
Provide site and route plans.
Provide a certificate of liability insurance that includes at least $1,000,000 general liability coverage and name the Fargo Park District as an additional insured no later than seven days before the date of filming.
Liaise with the Police and Fire Departments and provide a safety and crisis management plan.
Obtain necessary approvals from city or county agencies, if required.
Pay the damage/security deposit when required.
Pay any additional fees.
MATBUS
If you wish to film on Metro Area Transit Bus (MATBUS) property in Fargo, reach out to MATBUS to find out what you need to do and the documents you should provide to facilitate the activity.
Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines welcomes filmmakers to make use of its buses and facilities in the city of Fargo. However, a permit is required, and the request must be received no later than one month before the production date. To start, send your request to Greyhound’s marketing department and prepare for the associated fees, insurance documents, etc.
North Dakota State University
The University Relations office is the unit at North Dakota State University that oversees permitting and approvals for commercial filming permits in the university. Submit your request for a film permit in writing to University Relations and include the following:
The name of the production company.
The details of the contact person.
The requested filming location on campus.
The description of the production.
The proposed filming dates.
Film production is not allowed to disrupt normal university operations, and all filmmakers must sign a contract before commencing production.
Fargo Air Museum
To schedule your production within the Fargo Air Museum, fill out the booking form provided by the museum. Thereafter, a representative of the air museum will contact you with more information about what you require for your project.
Bonanzaville, USA
The Cass County Historical Society owns and operates Bonanzaville, USA, and welcomes production companies willing to shoot production in any of the thirty-six historic buildings in the facility. Indicate your interest in filming here by completing the Site Use Request Form, and a representative will contact you about the requirements you should meet. Feel free to check out the amazing historical features and locations in Bonanzaville, USA that make it a choice production location in the region.
Red River Zoo
Every filmmaker requires written permission to shoot production in Red River Zoo. Contact the zoo about the requirements and process to follow to obtain the permission you need for commercial film production in the facility.
Plains Art Museum
Contact the Plain Art Museum Events Coordinator at least two weeks in advance to make necessary arrangements for your project in the museum.
Historic Fargo Theatre
Contact the Operations Manager of the Fargo Theatre for information about using the facility for your proposed film production in Fargo.
What Does it Cost to Film in Fargo?
The costs associated with filming in the city of Fargo relate to location fees, permit fees (where applicable), personnel use fees, damage or security deposits (where required), and fees for damages that may be incurred while production was in progress. Some of these fees may have to be paid to the city directly or to other city agencies, depending on the nature of the services provided. In any case, you will be duly notified about the fees that apply to your production.
Additional Fees
Filming on corporate and private properties in Fargo always requires permission from the management or owner of that location. While NDstrong and ND Tourism can provide letters of support, the fees for renting their facilities, equipment, and services are the responsibility of the production.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Fargo?
The city of Fargo is located on the western bank of the Red River in the Red River Valley, on the border of North Dakota with Minnesota. The nearby municipalities to Fargo are Moorhead in Minnesota (East), West Fargo (West), and Harwood (North). Horace and Briarwood are located south of the city.
Moorhead
To shoot production in the city of Moorhead, complete the application at least four weeks before the date you intend to start filming. Your application will be reviewed by representatives from city departments like the Transit, Police, Parks, Police, and Engineering. Additional considerations for permits to film in Moorhead are as follows:
Pay the fees and deposits by cash, check, credit card, or money order at least thirty days before the shoot. Provide a route map for the production and a traffic control plan. Conduct outreach in the area where you intend to film by notifying the businesses and residents within 300 ft of the filming location.
Provide a certificate of insurance with a comprehensive general liability of at least $1,000,000 and name the City of Moorhead as an additional insured. Complete and sign an indemnification and hold harmless agreement. A press release is required in addition to the insurance document and community notification if you require a street closure.
If cleanup is required, a $250 fee will be charged to the filmmaker’s account by the city. The city may require that the Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services be available on hand during production.
Rourke Art Gallery and Museum
To shoot production in the Rourke Art Gallery and Museum, contact the museum’s office to make inquiries about the production requirements
Horace
Send in your request to shoot production in the city of Horace via email or call the City Hall with any questions you may have about your proposed project.
Outreach in Fargo
Although the filming laws in Fargo do not mandate outreach as one of the things that a filmmaker must do before commencing production in the city, it is the way to set up the exercise for success with the folks in the neighborhood.
Whenever a filmmaker sends out prior notice to the residents and businesses in the vicinity of the filming location, it helps prepare them for the activity, especially if the notice contains pertinent information such as the nature of the production, the times and dates of the project, and the contact details of the company’s representative (for inquiries). The more the residents and businesses feel connected to the project before it even starts, the more welcoming they will be toward your entire cast and crew.
Community Management in Fargo
When the project starts, the way to ensure that you maintain a good relationship with the local community is by positively engaging the hosts and paying attention to special areas in the city. Community leadership also plays a huge role in helping to get some support from the people when your plans align with the growth of the neighborhood.
When public meetings are put together, you can participate in them to better understand the community and its priorities. Moreover, you can include members of the community in your cast or crew when you require extra hands for temporary tasks on the project. That way, the project becomes theirs as well as they would like to see it succeed too.
Furthermore, during production, you can pay special attention to particular areas in the neighborhood so that your activities do not have any negative impact in such places. Such areas to look out for are schools, religious centers, hospitals, facilities for seniors, etc.
Conclusion
Although there were a few projects filmed in Fargo in the early 20th century, the city did not become a force to reckon with in the film production industry until the 1970s, yet it is today one of the top filming destinations in North Dakota. The combination of the amazing residents and beautiful locations makes every filmmaker that comes here for business enjoy every bit of their stay. It is a great city for fun activities too, if you wish to spend a few more days after completing a film project.
Reach out to the Division of Tourism to find out the filming regulations in Fargo and ensure you comply with them as you prepare for a project in the city. On many occasions, filmmakers do not require a film permit in the city; however, you may need to get special approvals to carry out special activities while filming. Insurance is another requirement that you should be prepared to provide to film in Fargo. Otherwise, the film permitting and production process in the city is straightforward.