City Guide Filming in Jacksonville, FL
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by FilmJax
- Film Permit Application Fee: Free
Minimum Insurance
- Liability insurance
- Workers’ compensation coverage
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Jacksonville
The city of Jacksonville sits on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the northeastern part of Florida and needs no introduction to outdoor recreation enthusiasts, nature lovers, and filmmakers. This city which is less than 30 miles southwest of Fernandina Beach, is the perfect place to pursue a wide range of recreational and business interests. If you are a filmmaker, you will find that production in this city is a sweet mix of work and fun. Head over to the River City by the Sea — as Jacksonville is nicknamed — and explore the magnificent locations that make film production a memorable adventure.
Choose any of the uncrowded beaches, tranquil waterways, and picturesque rivers that stretch for miles in the city for your film shoot, or explore the large urban parks to find the perfect natural setting for your production in Jacksonville. Even more, the city features a bubbling art and entertainment scene that is hard to resist. And luckily, you can find the perfect location for your film shoot in Jacksonville using Giggster.
Another reason why Jacksonville is a very attractive filmmaking destination is that production here comes with incentives to filmmakers on a local and state level. Wouldn’t you want to save some funds from the production budget knowing that you are not losing or giving up anything in the process?
Film production began here in the late 1800s, and Jacksonville is known for being one of the cities that first embraced the movies in Florida. Popular theaters that showed silent films opened in the city in the 1920s, and lots of commercial film projects have been shot here since then. Check some of these projects to see what makes Jacksonville a paradise for filmmaking: Monster House (2006), The Devil's Advocate (1997), The Waterboy (1998), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), G.I. Jane (1997), Tigerland (2000), Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987).
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Jacksonville?
If you are in Jacksonville and simply wish to film for personal use, you do not require a film permit. This means that you can use your camera with friends and/or family members while you are on vacation in the city of Jacksonville. Just ensure you do not make exclusive use of public property in the process so that you do not end up breaking any Jacksonville filming regulations.
On the other hand, you require a film permit before you can exclusively film on public property in Jacksonville. Also, any kind of commercial film production in the city requires a film permit. In addition, if your production will interfere with the regular flow of traffic in the city, you must also obtain a road closure permit before you commence filming. The road closure permit is required for full and intermittent road closure and hold-and-release traffic.
Student filmmakers should reach out to the City of Jacksonville’s Film and Television Office for the procedure on how to secure a student film permit.
Permit Management in Jacksonville
FilmJax
The agency that oversees film permitting in Jacksonville is the City of Jacksonville’s Film and Television Office (FilmJax). In addition to managing the permitting process for filmmakers that wish to shoot in Jacksonville, FilmJax is also the agency to reach out to for location and policy requests in the city. If you need resources such as crew technicians, support businesses, products, and services that will aid your production, reach out to FilmJax.
Per the filming laws in Jacksonville, before you can obtain a filming permit, you must complete an online film application at least seven business days before the date of filming. You will provide information relating to your planned production, such as special effects, the type of production, vehicle requirements, duration, a summary of scenes, plus more. You must also provide evidence of insurance that complies with the city’s production insurance requirements. If you plan to film in residential neighborhoods, you also need to provide proof that you have notified the neighborhood where you intend to shoot.
If your production activities will require the involvement of additional agencies, such as the Fire Department or the Police Department, reach out to FilmJax for guidance. This especially applies to complex productions that require road closures or include the use of specialized equipment or special effects/pyrotechnics while filming.
If you are a non-profit organization or a student looking to shoot films in Jacksonville, contact FilmJax for what you need to do to obtain a permit for your project, as there are different requirements and costs.
What Insurance Do I Need in Jacksonville?
To conform with the film production insurance requirements of the city of Jacksonville, you must provide a certificate of insurance.
Only filmmakers with less than four staff may be exempt from the workers’ compensation coverage. For such an exemption, the production company must submit a duly signed letter. Here is a sample of the workers’ compensation exemption letter.
If you are a student filmmaker, a different insurance requirement may apply to you. FilmJax will guide you accordingly.
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 Jacksonville?
As soon as you arrive in Jacksonville, you will be warmly welcomed by the miles of beaches and water bodies that offer picture-perfect locations for different kinds of shoots with the ocean as a backdrop. The St. Johns River, which flows through the city, offers additional picturesque spots where you can make your production dreams come to life.
In terms of architectural prowess, Jacksonville also leads the pack, as there are various building styles in the city. You will find lots of Prairie School-style buildings here, as well as structures typical of Mid-Century modern architecture. These styles were influenced by the several local and renowned architects that lived here and adapted design principles such as Futurism and Organicism, International style, and lots more.
Jacksonville is a city of skyscrapers, thanks to its history as a regional business hub. This makes the city’s skyline such a magnificent view with buildings such as the Bank of America Tower, Wells Fargo Center, and Riverplace Tower. Check out Downtown Jacksonville’s skyline and see if you can resist the urge to shoot a scene.
If you are a nature buff, you will feel at home in Jacksonville, and that is for no other reason than the city’s unique park system. Here, you will find parks managed by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Florida State Parks, and the National Parks Service. There are so many parks to choose from. Together, these parks offer more than 300 film locations.
Jacksonville is home to a wide array of museums, too, that filmmakers love to use for their projects. Examples include The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, The Museum of Science & History, and The LaVilla Museum. There are plenty of historical structures here as well, including the Old Morocco Temple Building, Klutho Building, the Catherine Street Fire Station building, and the Palm and Cycad Arboretum.
Special Requirements in Jacksonville
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is a unit of the National Park System (NPS), and for you to film here, you must first apply for a Special Use Permit. As part of your application, you must provide a certificate of insurance that names the United States of America as additional insured. The liability cover will be an amount determined to be commensurate to the risk that your production poses. You may also be required to post a refundable security bond before you can start filming.
As for the fees for commercial filming in Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, these daily filming rates apply:
1–2 people, camera & tripod only – Free
1–10 people - $150
11–30 people - $250
31–49 people - $500
Over 50 people - $750
Besides these daily filming fees, you must pay an application fee and other charges that are deemed necessary to cover the costs incurred by the NPS during your production.
Florida State Parks
Jacksonville is home to lots of state parks, such as Amelia Island State Park, Fort George Island Cultural State Park, and Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, to name a few. If you wish to film within any of these state parks, you must complete a film permit application at least seven business days before the date you intend to commence filming. Additional requirements include:
A non-refundable application fee of $10.
Proof of liability insurance that additionally insures the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as well as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida.
Other fees as stipulated in the Florida State Parks Fee Schedule.
Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens
If you wish to shoot commercial films in Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens, send an email that contains the details of your project and what you require. The Arboretum’s rental coordinator will reach out to you to discuss the guidelines for filming in the facility and the fees you will need to pay.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Before you can film anything in Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, you must first obtain prior approval from the Marketing Department. Reach out to the Marketing Department via email to discuss your project and find out what you need to do to secure a permit to film on the property.
Jacksonville International Airport
The External Affairs Department of the Jacksonville Airport Authority handles all permit applications to film in airports in the city. You are required to submit a completed Commercial Filming/Photo Shoot Application form at least ten business days before you commence production. When your application is received, it will be reviewed, and you may be invited for meetings to discuss the project before you receive final approval and your permit.
There is no permit fee for filming on airport premises; however, other fees may be charged because of damages or expenses incurred due to the production. As for the production insurance requirements, the following apply:
Commercial general liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate.
$20,000,000 for filming at the airport airside.
Automobile liability of $2,000,000.
$10,000,000 for driving at the airport airside.
Workers’ compensation and Employer’s liability of at least $1,000,000.
Jacksonville Public Library
Before you can film at the Jacksonville Public Library’s Main Library, you must obtain a film permit from FilmJax and obtain approval from the Library’s Conference Center Manager as well. You will be charged a nominal fee for the request to film in the library and be required to provide the following insurance minimums:
General liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.
Workers’ compensation coverage that meets statutory limits.
Employer’s liability:
$100,000 per accident.
$500,000 disease policy limit.
$100,000 per Employee/disease.
Amtrak
Contact Amtrak’s Real Estate Department for approval to shoot on Amtrak’s property in Jacksonville before carrying out any kind of commercial production.
Drones in Jacksonville
If you wish to film with drones in Jacksonville, you must comply with the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations and Policies.
What Does it Cost to Film in Jacksonville?
When you submit a film permit application to FilmJax in Jacksonville, you will not be charged any fee for the application. Even though the permit is free, you may be required to pay certain fees for using certain locations or making use of some city services. Rest assured that you will be notified of any fee you need to pay that relates to your production in the city.
Additional Fees
Jacksonville is a production-friendly city with free film permits and various tax advantages and exemptions for filmmakers. But if you need the services and expertise of any city personnel, different agencies and departments in Jacksonville established a standard rate you need to pay before or after film shoots.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Jacksonville?
Jacksonville sits on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, which lies to the east of the city. Nassau County is located north, while Baker County lies west. To the south of the city are St. Johns and Clay Counties. The town of Baldwin is surrounded by Jacksonville. Nearby municipalities include Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, St. Johns, Yulee, and MacClenny.
Fernandina Beach
The Northeast Region Film Commission oversees and manages applications for a film permitting process in the city of Fernandina Beach. You must submit the completed permit application form at least 15 days before the date of production. In addition, you must comply with these requirements: Arrange for city Police Officers to be on hand during production if you will block or disrupt traffic in public spaces.
Provide a certificate of insurance that names the city of Fernandina Beach with a minimum general liability cover of $1,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate with workers’ compensation. Maintain emergency vehicle access. Send out a one-page notification letter to the businesses and residents within 300 ft of the filming location.
Submit a Traffic Control Plan at least five business days before production if you will require lane, street, or sidewalk closure. Submit a Production Vehicle Plan at least five business days before production. Submit a Security Plan at least five business days before production.
Some of the fees associated with film production in Fernandina Beach are as follows: Permit fee - $200 Permit fee (late submissions) - $300 Closure fee for streets, parking space, or rights-of-way: $500 Police officer fee - $40 per hour per officer (three-hours minimum)
St. Augustine
The Department of Public Affairs oversees the film permitting process in St. Augustine. If you wish to shoot commercial production here, complete the application form and pay the non-refundable permit fee of $35. Two other documents that are required alongside the permit application form are the Certificate of Insurance and a Street/Road Closure Permit.
The insurance requirement in St. Augustine is a general liability insurance cover of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate. You also have to name the city of St. Augustine as a certificate holder and additional insured.
Jennings State Forest
Jennings State Forest and other state forests within and around Jacksonville are managed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. If you wish to film in this or any state forest, you must obtain a State Forest Use Authorization by filling out an authorization form. Contact the Jennings State Forest representative via email or phone to get started. Be prepared to provide insurance documents for your production.
As for the fees, these are the filming rates: 1 – 8 hours - $500 per day per site. 8 – 12 hours - $650 per day per site. Over 12 hours - $800 per day per site.
Osceola National Forest
To obtain a Special Use Permit to shoot a commercial film in Osceola National Forest, complete the application form and submit it to the Forest Service at least two months before the date you intend to start filming.
There are insurance and cost requirements to fulfill before you can receive a Special Use Permit that will authorize you to film in at Osceola National Forest: Insurance coverage that names the United States and the Forest Service as additional insured, plus: $30,000 per property $300,000 death or injury per person $300,000 death or injury aggregate
Fees: Processing fee - $136. Daily Land Use Fee: 1-10 persons - $150 11-30 persons - $200 31-60 persons - $500 Over 60 persons - $600 Cost recovery fees as deemed necessary for administrative and personnel services.
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
You need a permit for any kind of commercial film production at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. To secure the film permit, your application must be approved by a GTM Research Reserve Representative, and you must pay the filming fee of $500 per day. If you intend to film outside the normal hours of 8 am and sunset, you will pay an additional fee of $100 per hour. Prepare to present evidence of insurance too.
Outreach in Jacksonville
To comply with the filming guidelines in Jacksonville, you must notify the residents and businesses within the neighborhood where you intend to film. Conduct this outreach by sending out a leaflet to the community. Also, ensure you provide a sample of the notification leaflet to the City of Jacksonville’s Film and Television Office before distributing it to the members of the community where you intend to film.
Community Management in Jacksonville
You can create a positive experience for your production team and the folks in the city of Jacksonville, particularly those within the immediate vicinity of filming, by actively engaging the locals through any available and acceptable means. This could be through one-on-one conversations, group events, public meetings, forums, or social media. That way, there is a direct connection between you and the people, and information can be easily shared back and forth.
Conclusion
Jacksonville, the River City by the Sea, is always a delightful destination for any kind of recreational activity. Filmmakers, too, take advantage of the fun as the landscape, buildings, parks, museums, forests, natural areas, and residential and business settings offer more than production companies could ever ask for. The city has, for more than a century, been a moviemaking hub, and it continues to blow the minds of players in the film production industry.
In Jacksonville, you need a film permit to shoot on public property, and the place to send your application is the city’s Film and Television Office, known as FilmJax. Complete and send in your application and supporting documents at least seven business days before you intend to start filming to ensure your permit is ready in time for your project. As soon as you have your permit, there is nothing that can stand between you and a memorable filmmaking experience here in Jacksonville.