City Guide Filming in Kenosha, WI
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by the Department of Administration
- Film Permit Application Fee: $100
- Timing: 45 days for a film permit
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial general liability
- Automobile liability
- Umbrella liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Kenosha
The city of Kenosha is the seat of Kenosha County and lies in the southeastern part of Wisconsin, just off Lake Michigan. It is a beautiful harbor town that welcomes tourists and vacationers to its grounds to enjoy picturesque views of the lake and participate in a wide range of recreational activities such as hiking, skiing, biking, fishing, and golfing, as well as a host of other fun endeavors.
Interestingly, the city of Kenosha is home to a wide array of locations that are ideal for different kinds of commercial film productions. Filmmakers find it easy to access Kenosha for their projects either by road or by air, as the city is located between the cities of Milwaukee and Chicago. Milwaukee is located 32 miles north of the city, while Chicago is located 49 miles to the south.
Film production in Kenosha started as far back as the early 1900s, and some of the projects that have been filmed wholly or partly here include Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (2006), The Betsy (1978), The Smokers (2000), The Rocket (2018), The Eyes of Orson Welles (2018), Fever Lake (1997), October Moon (2005), Stricken (1997), and The Romance of Kenosha (1920). As you plan your next production, find a location that suits your needs in Kenosha using Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Kenosha?
Kenosha’s filming regulations guide filmmakers on what they need to know about film permits in the city.
If you will be here to film for personal reasons and will not have a large crew or require the use of any city or public property, you do not need to obtain a film permit before you start rolling your camera. So, feel free to record those videos with your family and friends as you explore the city’s beautiful features and landscapes.
On the other hand, commercial film productions in Kenosha require a permit before they can take place. Therefore, if you plan to shoot a television show, feature film, documentary, or any kind of project that is purely for commercial purposes, first get a permit for that activity so that you do not end up breaking any Kenosha filming laws.
Moreover, if you wish to make use of a city street, city sidewalk, city park, airport property, transit property, or any city-owned building or facility for your project, you also need to secure a film permit before kicking off the planned exercise with your cast and crew.
If you are a student or represent a non-profit organization, you should contact the city’s Department of Administration via phone or email to find out the things you need to do to obtain permission for your film production.
Depending on the nature of your project in Kenosha, you may need approvals from other city agencies. The City’s Administration Office will let you know if this is the case.
Permit Management in Kenosha
The Administration Office
The Administration Office (also known as the Department of Administration) is the agency that oversees all applications relating to special events in the city of Kenosha – including film permits. The Office receives applications from filmmakers and reviews them to ensure that the proposed project will not negatively impact the city in any way. In addition, before the permit is approved, it will be subject to additional review by one or more City Commissions or Boards.
As you prepare to send in your application to shoot production in Kenosha, these are the things you will be required to submit for your request to be processed:
The Special Events Application Form.
An application fee.
Proof of insurance in line with the city’s production insurance requirements.
Notification to the neighborhood where filming is set to take place.
A safety and evacuation plan.
An operational and safety plan.
Traffic and/or closure plan.
A site plan map.
A signed hold harmless agreement.
You are required to submit your permit application at least 45 days before the date you intend to commence production in the city. As your application is being reviewed, you may be invited to a meeting to discuss your production plans before your application is approved.
As part of the review process, your application will be forwarded to the Fire Prevention Bureau to determine if there are additional requirements for you to fulfill before your production can take place in the city. If your project requires the closure of city streets, sidewalks, or right-of-way, the City of Kenosha Police Department will be involved in the pre-approval process as well. Police officers may also be required to be on hand when production is ongoing.
What Insurance Do I Need in Kenosha?
As part of your application to shoot commercial films in Kenosha, you must comply with the city’s production insurance requirements by providing proof of liability insurance. The certificate of insurance must have the following:
Commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate.
Automobile liability of at least $1,000,000 per accident (when applicable to production).
Umbrella liability of $2,000,000 per person and $2,000,000 aggregate.
List the city of Kenosha and its staff as additional insured.
Provide a waiver of subrogation endorsement.
Under certain circumstances, you may need to provide additional liability coverages or increase the limits above the stated minimums because of the nature of your production. If such additional liabilities apply to your project, you will be informed and must comply with the limits imposed.
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 Kenosha?
As soon as you arrive in Kenosha, the first thing that welcomes you is the eight miles of shoreline, where you can bring your film production ideas to life and shoot great production. The city is home to more than 70 municipal parks, which further add to its glamor as a hub of natural settings and areas that promote outdoor shoots. Common filming locations include Simmons Island Park and Beach, Alford Park and Beach, Eichelman Park and Beach, Pennoyer Park and Beach, and Southport Park and Beach.
Kenosha was once an industrial hub with lots of automotive factories and manufacturing facilities. Today, these infrastructures remain within the city, and filmmakers take advantage of the facilities for their unique production needs when required.
If you are a history buff, you will feel right at home in Kenosha because the city has four historic districts and numerous locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are landmark areas and historic buildings that are perfect for use as backdrops. Examples include the Manor House, Justin Weed House, John McCaffary House, and the Washington Park Clubhouse.
Check out the downtown part of the city, and you will find several attractive film locations such as parks, government buildings, restaurants, and entertainment venues within commercial and residential settings. Uptown Kenosha is also another part of the city with lots of tempting locations to set up production equipment for filming.
You will find public museums, libraries, and schools here where you can roll your camera if your production requires it. While in town, explore the Kenosha Public Museum, Kenosha Civil War Museum, Uptown Neighborhood Library, and Simmons Neighborhood Library to see what lies in store for you and your crew. The statue of Abraham Lincoln in Library Park is one feature in the city that you do not want to miss.
Special Requirements in Kenosha
Wisconsin State Parks
Wisconsin State Parks are managed by the Department of Natural Resources. Before you can engage in commercial filming activities in a State Park such as Richard Bong State Recreation Area and Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area, you must get a Commercial Use Permit from the manager of the park where you intend to film.
To obtain the permit, complete the Application Form and submit it at least two weeks before the date you intend to start filming. There is a non-refundable $50 application fee that you must pay when applying for the Commercial Use Permit. In addition to the application form and fee, there are other documents you may need to provide to comply with the requirements of the park where you intend to shoot production, like proof of insurance.
Parking signage
You are required to post no parking signage no later than 24 hours before you commence production and no earlier than 48 hours, either. You will get a sample of the “No Parking” sign from the city, so be sure that you print it in the correct form as directed by the city and post it within the recommended period. As soon as you are done with your project, you must remove the sign.
What Does it Cost to Film in Kenosha?
There is a $100 non-refundable fee that must accompany your application for a permit to film in Kenosha. If you do not send in your application before the 45-day deadline as required by the filming guidelines in Kenosha, you will pay an application fee of $500 for the late submission. Applications submitted less than 30 days before the production date are not considered nor processed. There are other costs associated with filming in Kenosha such as filming rates, location fees, or any fees required for the use of city personnel or equipment (e.g., Fire or Police Department personnel). If these apply to your project, you will be notified and must pay them within the period stipulated by the applicable agency.
Additional Fees
To get an accurate estimate of the costs involved in filming in Kenosha, it's recommended to consult with local film offices, production service companies, or experienced producers familiar with the area. They can provide specific details about permits, fees, and local regulations that might affect your production costs.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Kenosha?
The city of Kenosha is bordered to the east by Lake Michigan and on all other sides by villages. The village of Somers borders the city to the north while Pleasant Prairie lies to the south. Kenosha shares its boundaries in the west with the village of Bristol. Other nearby municipalities include Racine, Burlington, Mount Pleasant, and Winthrop Harbor.
Racine If you wish to shoot production in the city of Racine, you must complete a permit application and submit it to the City of Racine Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) at least 180 days before the date of production. These documents are required for a successful permit application: A letter of intent The permit application An application fee A route and area map The production summary and schedule A certificate of liability insurance If you will need to close roads, streets, or sidewalks during production, you require a permit from the City of Racine Public Works Department. You may need to reach out to the city’s Fire Department, Health Department, and/or Police Department for additional permits as well depending on the nature of your production. The film application fee is a non-refundable $25 which you pay by cash, cheque, or debit/credit card. Late submissions attract an additional fee of $100. As for the production insurance requirements in Racine, you must provide a certificate of insurance with general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000. The certificate must name the city of Racine and its staff as additional insured. You can find a sample of the insurance certificate here.
Burlington Filming activities require a Special Events Permit from the City of Burlington, especially if the filming is scheduled to take place on public premises or public right-of-way. Filmmakers may also require approvals from the city’s Police Department and Public Works Department before commencing their planned production within the city. For your permit to be approved, you must complete the permit application and attach a site plan and certificate of insurance. In addition, you are required to notify the neighborhood where you intend to film and provide information such as parking areas, duration of production, and details of the production.
Mt. Pleasant If you wish to carry out any form of commercial film production in Mount Pleasant’s parks, you must first submit a Special Event Permit Application to Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation at least 90 days before the date you wish to film. You must attach a detailed route or site map to your application so that it can be reviewed and approved as well. When your application is received, you will be notified about the required fees to pay for your project. You will also be able to discuss any other details of your production with an assigned Park Representative. As for the insurance requirements for filming, you should provide a certificate of insurance with general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000. Furthermore, you will be required to name the Village of Mount Pleasant and the Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation Department as additional insured. As for the fees, you will be duly informed of the costs associated with your production in the village. Also, remember that you will be responsible for paying for the services of city services and personnel involved during production. If you submit your application late, you will be charged an additional 20% for a late submission. Where you need to make changes to your permit, you will pay a $20 fee for the modification.
Milwaukee County Parks Before you can shoot commercial film production in any Milwaukee County Park, you must first obtain a permit by submitting a Photography/Filming Permit application to the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture. The requirements are as follows: Submit the completed application to the Special Events Office at least two weeks before the start of filming. Provide a certificate of insurance that lists Milwaukee County Parks as an additional insured and as the Certificate Holder and covers general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000. Filming with drones requires insurance coverage of $5,000,000 per occurrence. Pay the filming fee by cash, check/money order, or credit card. Three hours - $221.76. Eight hours - $549.12. Additional hours - $121.44 per hour. Sign a hold harmless agreement.
Winthrop Harbor For you to be able to shoot films in Winthrop Harbor in Illinois, you must submit a written application to the Village Clerk at least 20 days before the date you intend to commence filming in the village. In addition to your application, you are required to also provide the following information: The proposed production location A list of the production crew A description of the project A certificate of insurance with general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence and which names the village of Winthrop Harbor as an additional insured. A Hold Harmless Agreement Every application for a permit to shoot films in Winthrop Harbor must be accompanied by a non-refundable fee of $25. As the filmmaker, you will also be responsible for paying any additional fees stipulated by the Village Clerk.
Outreach in Kenosha
Before you set out to shoot production with your film crew, Kenosha’s filming guidelines recommend that you notify the public about your proposed project at least one week before it commences. You can reach out to the community by dropping flyers off at the homes and businesses of the folks that will be affected by the production.
The people to notify are those members of the public that will be directly affected by production and those that may have concerns about noise, limited parking, or traffic congestion due to the shoot. An alternative method of notification is by using letters that will contain the details of your production and the contact information of someone on your team that can respond to questions or inquiries that the locals may have about your filming activities in the area.
Community Management in Kenosha
As soon as your project starts in Kenosha, you have another responsibility to manage the members of the community appropriately. You need to ensure that you do not create and leave a lasting bad impression that could affect the chances of other filmmakers that wish to make use of the city’s resources after you leave.
You create a positive experience in the neighborhood by actively engaging the people through appropriate channels such as public shows, town hall meetings, open activities, and the like. Do your best not to disrupt the livelihoods of the residents and businesses for the entire period of your stay in the city.
Conclusion
As you approach the city of Kenosha in Wisconsin, the view of Lake Michigan and its breathtaking shore is one of the best welcome gifts you can get as a producer setting foot into a new city. Rest assured that this is just the tip of the iceberg when compared to what awaits you in the city, all of which add up to make time spent here an absolute delight.
The exact nature of your production here does not matter because the locations in Kenosha are perfectly suited for different types of commercial film projects. Even more, the city’s Administration Office, which is the permitting agency, will make you feel at home as you work your way through the process of obtaining your permit to film. The folks in the city are equally friendly, meaning that you are primed for a seamless production experience from start to finish. Simply find the location(s) in the city that fit your project on Giggster, and the rest will be a smooth adventure.