City Guide Filming in Iowa City, IO
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Application Fee: $250
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability:
- Worker’s Compensation:
- Automobile Liability:
- Aviation Insurance Coverage:
- UAS/Drone Insurance:
- Product Liability Insurance:
- Liquor Liability Insurance:
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Iowa City
Sitting in Johnson County, Iowa City stands as the fifth largest urban center in the state of Iowa and also houses the iconic University of Iowa. It’s less than two hours east of Des Moines and is smack-dab in the middle between Chicago and Kansas City. The city sees hot summers and winters with snow and below-freezing temperatures. It also has an impressive skyline and has experienced vast urbanization over the past years, giving it tons of impressive city-owned and private buildings.
Some reminders of the past also dot the area, such as the Old Capitol building, which is now a National Historic Landmark and is currently entrenched in the heart of the University of Iowa. Another prominent tourist attraction is Plum Grove which was the home of the first Governor of the state, an immortal reminder of the past of this land, and the Art Museum at the University of Iowa also sees visitors flock in the thousands year-round. Plus, the city was ranked as the second-best small metropolis for business people by Forbes.
And all of this hasn’t gone unnoticed on the big screen. The city has been featured in numerous productions, including Children of the Corn, Whiteboyz, Bully, Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time, The House I Live In, After Life, Winnebago Man, Harvest of Fire, Pirate Radio USA, The Bridges of Madison County, Coach, and The Formula to name a few.
If you’re planning to base your next film project, or even your first one, in the city, you’ll first have to go through a brief roundup of all the important filming guidelines in Iowa City so that you know what to do and expect. Plus, scouting for premium film locations can be time-consuming – but what if you didn't even have to leave your comfort zone to book some of the best filming locations in Iowa City? Well, you can with Giggster – all it takes is a tap or click!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Iowa City?
Filming activities in Iowa City generally don’t require a film permit except in cases where you wish to film on city property (in public) or if you wish to use city resources for your production efforts.
If you’re filming exclusively on private property, you’ll only need the permission of the property owner. Plus, special/additional permits may be needed if you require assistance from the local departments for fire safety or assistance from the police. You can always reach out to the Government of Iowa City for further information.
Even if a general filming permit is not necessary in your case (i.e., if you’re filming on private property), you will need the following wherever applicable:
Pyrotechnics Permit –
the fire department will issue this permit for any film production that wishes to use fire-based special effects, gunfire, explosions, and their likes in the film production; a complete fire safety review and the presence of a firefighter on the film set must be ensured.
Animal Control Permit –
this permit is issued to film productions that wish to use animals such as canids (dogs, wolves, etc.) and others that can cause bodily injury to someone (or cause property damage) if not restrained properly.
Aircraft Usage Permit –
this applies in cases where the film production needs to use a helicopter or aircraft, especially a low-flying one; you’ll also need to provide additional insurance coverage.
Drone Filming Permit –
this permit is needed for filming with a camera drone in a public area, but you’ll have to make sure not to invade someone’s privacy, and you’ll also have to provide additional liability insurance for the privilege of those amazing shots..
Permit Management in Iowa City
Johnson County Special Events Office
As mentioned earlier, you only need filming permits in Iowa City when filming in public spaces or if you require assistance from city officials and departments. You might also have to acquire separate permits for “special” services, such as assistance with pyrotechnics, animal control, and traffic redirection. You can always reach out to the Special Events Office of Johnson County, download their special event application, and then submit the same at City of Iowa City, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Iowa 52240, USA, if you plan on filming on city property. Note that the form does not mention any set rates for any city services that you may require, and any permit fees will be decided by the relevant authorities for your case specifically.
The Special Events Office won’t liaise with the local departments on your behalf – you’ll have to reach out to the local fire department and police department yourself. You will most definitely need the services of both if you plan to ensure complete fire safety on set and if you need help with traffic redirection or if you need police officer participants for your film production efforts (or you can rent their equipment for your filming). All rates are decided by the departments individually on a case-by-case basis.
Other departments, such as public works (for street closure), parks and recreation (for access to local parks), and water works (for setting up water meters), can also be reached out to for your needs. Additional special permits will be issued by the relevant departments and not the Johnson County Special Events Office.
What Insurance Do I Need in Iowa City?
Having production insurance is one of the most important requirements for filming in Iowa City and pretty much anywhere else in the USA. While your script may not carry a sizeable risk of accidents or mishaps, the worst can happen without warning, and the city wants to be prepared for that.
By asking the film productions to arrange for ample production insurance, the city safeguards itself against any liability claims resulting from the film production activities on city property. Instead, the film production itself must bear all the responsibility for any liability claims, whether the victim is a part of the production crew, a city official/representative/employee, or a third party. The exact production insurance requirements in Iowa City vary with the level of perceived risk. However, the baseline requirements listed below will help you get some perspective:
Firstly, general liability insurance coverage amounting to $1,000,000 is needed.
You also need to provide worker’s compensation insurance coverage for all your production employees as per the state laws in Iowa.
Automobile liability coverage of $1,000,000 per incident for all owned, non-owned, or rented automobiles is also needed.
An aviation liability insurance coverage of $5,000,000 is also needed if the production involves any helicopters or aircraft.
If a camera drone is used in the filming, you must provide UAS liability coverage of $2,000,000.
If any food is served on the film set, you must provide product liability coverage amounting to $1,000,000.
If any alcohol is served on the film set, you must provide liquor liability insurance amounting to $1,000,000.
You are also required to endorse the Iowa City government, its employees, representatives, and officials as additionally insured against any liability claims. Plus, do keep in mind that the insurance requirements vary as per the level of perceived risk associated with your film production activities – the higher the risk, the higher the coverage, and vice versa.
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 Iowa City?
The fairly relaxed filming laws in Iowa City are not the only good thing about hosting your film production in the city. You also have an assortment of filming venues in the city, both indoors and outdoors.
There are plenty of iconic buildings in town, such as the Bethel AME Church, which was built in 1868 and holds a special place in history for people of color in the area. Built in 1890, the Bohumil Shimek House is another impressive structure It’s a Folk Victorian-style two-story home in a rich green color that looks great on camera.
Moving out into the open, you have the Spacious Outdoor Beer Garden, which has a merry and celebratory atmosphere to it. The Beer Taproom is also an excellent example of what an ideal filming venue is all about – premium location, perfect contrast, spacious interior, and breathtaking views of Gray's Lake Park. You also have options like the Best Patio Days and the Unique Venue for Momentous Event, both of which offer an excellent combination of indoor and outdoor filming locations.
Other merry and joyous venues include The Brewery's Mezzanine and The Brewery Floor, both of which offer picture-perfect contrast, spacious interiors, ample lighting, and a celebratory atmosphere. Outdoor options are not done either because next up we have the Log Home Vineyard Retreat, which is the perfect mix of isolation, natural elements, and spectacular views of the green surroundings (and a lake). The same also holds true for the Luxury Waterfront Cabin, which has an excellent isolated setting and a large yard.
You can also head out into the wilderness (sort of) and film in one of the city’s many parks. Hickory Hill Park is a particular favorite for its 190 acres of forest, wetlands, and abandoned fields. You can get many different landscapes in just this one spot.
Special Requirements in Iowa City
Filming In The Iowa City Community School District
To film in the Iowa City Community School District, you’ll need to submit your proposal to the school board at least a full month in advance. You’ll also be required to arrange for $1 million in general liability insurance coverage and assorted insurance policies depending on the nature of your film production activities. After approval from the school administration, you can proceed with the rest of the process as usual.
Filming At National Parks, Monuments & Historic Landmarks
To film at a nearby national park, historical landmark, or monument, you'll have to get the approval of the relevant authorities. You can reach out to the National Park Service for contact details, submit your application, and get started after approval.
Filming At Nearby State Parks, Reserves, Lakes & More
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is in charge of managing all state parks, natural reserves, lakes, and other natural areas. To film in nearby places like these, you’ll have to reach out directly to the department, acquire their permission, and then get started – you won’t need additional permits, but the permission to film in such areas will come with some restrictions. For instance, no fire-based special effects can be used in a state park. You’ll also be obliged to pay site fees and rentals wherever applicable and may even have to hire local guides as monitors (and advisors) for your activities.
UAS/Camera Drone Filming Rules
To use a camera drone for filming, you’ll first have to register with the Iowa Department of Aviation for the use of “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” and acquire a special permit for the same. You’ll also have to ensure complete compliance with the FAA regulations for camera drones.
Pyrotechnics Safety Regulations
You are allowed to use pyrotechnics and fire-based special effects, but you’ll first need a permit from the Iowa Department of Public Safety (the Fire Safety Department). The explosion or special effects will be operated by trained professionals from the department under guided supervision.
What Does it Cost to Film in Iowa City?
You are obliged to pay the Special Events Office for your filming permit and permission to access certain city-owned properties. However, the exact rates charged are not clarified by the office. The application form has a blank space on the top where the officials will write how much you have to pay in total for all the services rendered by the city and county departments for your film production efforts. This means that there are no fixed rates, and instead, you’ll get quotes based on your case specifically. Based on the filming regulations in Iowa City, you’ll have to pay for: Permit application review ($250 fixed fee) Site rental (if applicable) for exclusive access to public property Permit rider fee (not disclosed) Production shoot monitor fee (not disclosed) Plus, you’ll also have to get quotes (again, there are no set rates shared by the Special Events Office in this regard) from the local departments for the following: Fire safety inspection fees will be charged by the local fire department. The hourly rate for a fire prevention officer stationed on the set will be determined by the fire department. Hourly rate for any police officers stationed on the set will be set by the local police department. You can also reach out to the local police department if you want to rent police equipment for your film. Street closure and parking signs costs will be charged by the public works department. And if applicable, any entry and parking fees for local parks will be charged as per usual rates. If you want to set up a temporary water meter on your set, you'll have to discuss the costs (as per usage) with the waterworks department. Most of the aforementioned fees are not disclosed in advance – you’ll have to get quotes based on your exact needs. However, this also means you can negotiate the amount proposed by the local departments, unlike in cases where the rates are fixed. Just be sure to consult with the Special Events Office to ensure you’re not being overcharged for anything.
Additional Fees
Iowa City might require a film permit for commercial filming, especially if it involves public property or significant disruption to public spaces. The permit may have associated fees. It's essential to contact the Iowa City Film Office or relevant local authorities well in advance of your planned filming dates. They can provide specific information about the necessary permits, fees, and regulations applicable to your production.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Iowa City?
Iowa City runs along the Iowa River and Interstate 80; it sits in the eastern region of the state of Iowa. To the northwest, the city is bordered by Coralville, whereas Oasis sits to the northwest of Iowa City. The Quad Cities of Bettendorf and Davenport in Iowa and Rock Island and Moline in Illinois are located to the east of the City. To the west, the city is bordered by Cosgrove, and Hills is down south. Some other notable nearby cities include Tiffin, Solon, and North Liberty.
Outreach in Iowa City
As per the Iowa City filming laws, you are obligated to notify the residents of the affected area of the scheduled filming activities of any possible disturbance that they may have to face. Your notification letter must also include your contact information, filming schedule, and directions for any route alternatives (in case of street closure). You are not required to do more than this for your film permit unless yours is a complex production (involving aircraft or risky stunts, for example). If you are planning these activities, you may have to conduct a local survey before you can film in the area.
Community Management in Iowa City
Overall, the people in Iowa City are welcoming and open-minded, but as is the case with any metropolitan area, people don't take lightly to being disturbed. But you won't have to worry about much since the filming regulations in Iowa City don't require you to go door to door for a survey in most cases. If you avoid excessive noise (especially power generator noise), respect people's privacy, and follow all the local filming laws, you'll go through the whole thing without a worry.
Conclusion
The filming guidelines in Iowa City are some of the lightest in the region – you don’t have to fulfill any hard-to-meet requirements to get a permit. If you’re filming on private property, a general filming permit won’t be needed at all. Online resources for filmmakers are a bit scant when compared with some of the other filming destinations in the USA, but the city is by no means a stranger to Hollywood fever. With several hits featuring the city glowingly, you can only expect your experience to be one of a kind too, as was the case with all the previous film productions here.
Iowa City also offers all the technical support and assistance you’ll need to make the best out of your film production efforts, including support from the local police and fire departments, among others. You just have to reach out to them first.
Plus, the many suitable filming destinations in the city, including historical landmarks, parks, indoor private venues, escape rooms, and other themed interiors, are the perfect attraction for filmmakers from all over. Iowa City boasts the perfect ambiance, a creative atmosphere, and despite its hot summers, a generally comfortable climate too, except in the dead of winter. Plus, with successes like Children of the Corn and The Bridges of Madison County already accredited to the city, there is reason to believe that your project will meet similar, and hopefully, even superior success if you're planning something on a comparable scale.
Whether your film project is minor or major, you'll get all the resources and help from the local departments you need to make it a success.
And as for picking the perfect filming venue for your film, you need not scout for hours to find something that fits your script. Instead, you can make reservations with just a tap or click via Giggster and secure the best the city has to offer!