City Guide Filming in Nashua, NH
Production Permit Fees
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1 million with $2 million aggregate
- Workers’ Compensation: As per state requirements
- Automobile Liability: $1 million per incident
- Aviation Insurance Coverage: $5 million
- UAS/Drone Insurance: $2 million
Additional Permits
- Police & Firefighter Monitoring: Organized by the film production itself
Discounts
About Nashua
New Hampshire’s Nashua has moved past its historic ties with the local textile industry and has been successful in redirecting its economy, starting from the 1980s, towards the tech sector, finance, and defense – three economic pillars upon which the city stands today. The biggest employers in town include Teradyne, BAE Systems, and Nashua Corporation. Other notable places include the South Nashua Commercial District and Pheasant Lane Mall — two of the most famous shopping areas in town. The city is also home to top-tier medical centers such as the St. Joseph Hospital and the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. Nashua is often dubbed as the “Gate City” for the region and has been ranked three times among the top cities in the "Best Places to Live in America" ratings published yearly in Money Magazine.
Though in terms of physical distance, Nashua and Hollywood are worlds apart, that is not to say that the cinematic industry hasn’t been active in town. You’ll find numerous titles like Visionary, Beyond the Mat (documentary), The Romeo Division, Next Door, Stonegate, Adopted, Labor Day, She's So Cold, Focal Point, From Inside a Girl's Room, Nowhere to Run, Way of the Puck, Taking Up Space, Home Invasion, and Gate City mentioning Nashua as one of the production sites in their credits sequence.
Why wait to get started on your next filming project in town? Opportunities are abundant, and the infrastructure is impressive. The scene is there for you to come in and capture, but if you’re not clear on the filming guidelines in Nashua, let’s just take a short dive into the topic to get some sense of what you should expect.
Also, we understand that when you're new to town, or even if you've been somewhere before but haven't explored much, it can be enormously challenging to find decent filming venues without scouting endlessly. But who has the time and the strength? Cut the delays and pick the best filming venues in Nashua with just a couple of taps/clicks with Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Nashua?
Filmmakers must contact the Special Events Office and get the required permit before they can start filming in public. This also applies if the film production team requires any help from the city’s police, fire, or other assorted departments regarding the film production efforts. Plus, any use of public property by the film production team, even if not for filming, like for special parking privileges or street closures, will require a permit from the City.
There is one exception to this rule: if you're filming on private property. In such cases, you'll only have to get the property owner's/manager's permission (preferably in writing) to start your filming there. But when filming in public, a special event permit is necessary (with exceptions of solo vloggers, TikTokers, etc.), and you also have to acquire the following where applicable:
Pyrotechnics Permit
for using explosives, gunfire, fireworks, and so on; the local fire department issues this permit after careful evaluation of the fire safety situation.
Animal Control Permit
for using animals in film production; this permit is issued by the local animal control department after ensuring that you can properly and safely restrain animals like horses, dogs, and cats for your filming efforts.
Aircraft Usage Permit
for using aircraft or helicopters in film production; this permit is issued after the safety assessment for the aircraft and the submission of $5 million in liability insurance to the local aviation authority.
Drone Filming Permit
for using camera drones in film production efforts; this permit is issued by the local aviation authority after the submission of $2 million in liability coverage.
Student/Non-Commercial Filming Permit
all student teams working on film projects or non-commercial film productions can get discounted rates for their filming permits after verification of their status.
Permit Management in Nashua
Nashua Special Events Office
All film productions operating in public must first get a Nashua film permit from the Nashua Special Events Office. The exceptions to this rule are: if you're filming a short TikTok video, vlogging for your YouTube channel, taking pictures for your social media accounts (even in such cases, some instances/premises may require you to be properly permitted), or if you’re filming within the premises of a privately owned property, especially if it is indoors and does not affect the general public.
The City of Nashua expects all film productions to apply for a special events permit as it helps the city prepare for the oncoming schedule of activities, provides the local departments a point person to reach out to if things go bad, and gives the local departments the time to plan for traffic control, emergency medical services, and other potential disruptions.
You can reach out to the special events office at 229 Main St, Nashua, NH 03060, or check out the Nashua Special Events Office webpage on the municipal website for more information. All you need to do is get a copy of the permit application form, download it, complete it, attach all the relevant documents and insurance forms, and then submit it to the Special Events Office for approval.
You can also get all the information regarding the rules and regulations from the special events online resources. But if you’re still not clear on some matters, you can always reach out to the special events staff and ask for more specific guidelines.
If you require any police or fire safety assistance on the set, you’ll have to reach out to those departments, too, and discuss your requirements with them (the special events office can be your liaison). You can also find the contact information for other concerned departments and agencies on the online directory page of the municipal website.
What Insurance Do I Need in Nashua?
The production insurance requirements in Nashua are variable, as the level of risk associated with your production efforts is the biggest factor that determines how much insurance coverage you need.
All productions need to be able to compensate any accident victims who suffer from bodily injuries, property damage, and other losses. The probability of sustaining such damages goes up if the filming activities involve risky elements, such as dangerous stunts, races, car chases, parkour runs, street fights, and aircraft stunts. But that’s not to say that injuries can't happen less dramatically from things like equipment failure and a simple trip-and-fall, but the risk is higher in some situations.
Whether or not stunts and other dangerous activities are involved, film productions are required to carry insurance coverage.
For instance, you only need aviation liability coverage if your film project involves aircraft or helicopters, and the same goes for UAS liability, watercraft liability, and automobile liability. Keep in mind that these requirements apply to most cases, but if your project exceeds the scope and risk level associated with regular projects, the City can ask you to get additional coverage accordingly.
The only variable is how much, and for that, there are some basic requirements:
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 Nashua?
When you come to Nashua, even if you’re from the area, you’ll be surprised by the sheer variety of filming venues that you can choose from for your film project. We’ve spent all this time discussing the filming laws and how to get a Nashua film permit, but let's put that aside for the moment and take a look at what the city has to offer.
First off, there are premium and fully equipped recording spaces offering perfect contrast, lighting, and all other amenities that a filming crew may need, such as the Professional Podcast Studio, which is meant for more formal conversations. You can also try out the various photography studios and filming studios dotted all over town. But if you’re not into such purpose-built production studios, you can opt for one of the many residential settings available for rent, such as The Stone House, Large Colonial House For Film Shoots, or The Danbury House.
One of the area's top listings in our filming venue catalog is the Unique 6400 Square Feet Home, which comes with an open floor design and an indoor pool. Another impressive option is the Ranch Home which offers a themed feeling, as the name implies, and a sunbathed interior. But if you’re looking for a retreat from the urban center, then the Sprawling Private 500 Acre Trails Fields Barn Home will blow your mind. This property is situated away from the concrete web of the city, where you can enjoy truly fresh air, lush green views, and of course, a farmhouse. If none of this seems like what you might be comfortable with, then why not try local bars, restaurants, office spaces, patios, rooftop venues, dance studios, and event spaces?
Giggster lists all the major venues available for you, and you can pick whatever space works best based on your preferences and the script’s demand.
Special Requirements in Nashua
Filming In The Nashua School District
If you want to film within the premises of the Nashua School District, you’ll have to first ensure the availability of the school premises as per your filming schedule or adjust your schedule so you can film at the school. To film here, you’ll have to:
Get your proposal (including relevant details of the script and the filming activities) reviewed by the school management.
Schedule your shoot as per the availability of the school premises.
Discuss the fee that the school will charge you for using their premises if any.
Get insured for general liability ($1,000,000 with $2,000,000 aggregate) and workers’ compensation.
Filming In Neighborhood Parks
The various green sections adding a natural touch to the urban jungle are all over, such as the Shattuck St. Tot Lot Park, Roby Park, Greeley Park, and Mine Falls Park. They are managed by the Nashua Parks & Recreation Department. You don’t need any special permission to film at most of these parks, but if you want exclusive access, then you must:
Get in touch with the parks department to check the availability of the park (exclusively for you).
Ask for a quote on the site fee.
Ask if you’ll have to hire someone from the parks department staff (and get a quote for the hiring cost as well).
Notify the residents before filming.
Filming In The Silver Lake State Park
The nearby Silver Lake State Park has a vast expanse, covering 80 acres in total, and borders the eponymous Silver Lake. Here, locals and tourists swarm for picnicking, swimming, enjoying their playgrounds, kayaking, and more. As with all state parks in the state, the New Hampshire State Parks Department manages this one as well, and you'll have to get the department's approval to film at the park's premises. You may not get exclusive access to the park during the hours it is open to the public. You'll have to:
Follow all park rules.
Pay all the fees applicable in your case.
Hire a park staff member to act as a guide/production monitor.
Get $1,000,000 in watercraft liability coverage (on top of general liability) if you want to film on kayaks or paddle boats in the lake itself.
Filming With Camera Drones
Camera drones are highly maneuverable and can offer crystal clear outputs, perfect for film production, but before using them in public, you must make sure that:
You’re allowed to use drones in the area. The city may put restrictions on their use in some areas.
You’ll ensure safe and responsible usage of the drone, which means that you won’t film anyone without their consent.
You’ll get the permit for drone usage.
You’ll submit $2 million in drone liability.
You’ll follow the FAA regulations for the operation of UAS or drones.
Noise Regulations To Follow When Filming
All forms of audio disturbances and noises that may disrupt the calmness and serenity of residential areas are strictly prohibited city-wide, especially between 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. These disturbances and noises include (besides the use of loudspeakers):
Yelling
Shouting
Hooting
Whistling
Singing
Filming Beyond The Regular Hours
Normally, you’re allowed to film between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Mondays to Thursdays, but if you need to film other than in this period in public, you must reach out to the Special Events Office. They’ll ask you to conduct a resident survey in the affected area, and if the response is positive (80% or more positive responses), you can proceed.
What Does it Cost to Film in Nashua?
As per the filming regulations in Nashua, more specifically, section 286:4-a, titled: “Added Expense to Town,” Nashua (or any other city/town in New Hampshire, for that matter) can charge a film production team a fee that can be “reasonably be attributed to the event to be licensed.”
Additional Fees
On top of this, you'll have to pay for the following based on the quote you receive:
In short, while there is no fixed fee associated with the special events permit/filming permit, the City will charge you based on any additional expenses incurred by the city by your filming requirements.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Nashua?
Nashua sits in the southeastern part of New Hampshire’s largest county – Hillsborough County; it spans a total of 31.7 square miles. To the south, the city shares its border with Middlesex County in the state of Massachusetts; to the east, the Merrimack River forms a natural boundary; to the west lies Hollis; and further up north, the city is connected to Litchfield and Merrimack.
Outreach in Nashua
You are required to send notifications to all residents of the neighborhood you’re planning to film in or all the people who can be affected by your filming activities. This includes business owners. The Nashua film permit laws require you to post the notification letters after getting approval of the draft from the Special Events Office within ten days of getting a notice to proceed (for your film project). Your notification letters should mention all the important details, including your contact information and what the residents should expect.
Community Management in Nashua
The natural topography of the surrounding areas, an abundance of good schools in town, and tons of recreation spots make Nashua a highly desirable place for people looking to settle with kids. This also means that you’ll find the local community nice and kind, in line with the welcoming filming regulations in Nashua - except for the strict noise regulations and an uncompromising sense of privacy, you don’t have much to look out for. Just be receptive to any feedback/complaints to keep things running smoothly.
Conclusion
Nashua has long attracted the attention of TV and film producers. For instance, it hosted the production team for MTV's MADE at the Nashua High School North back in 2004. Movies like Visionary and documentaries like Beyond the Mat (for WWE) have made an enormous impact and given Nashua its screen time on both the cinema's big screens and household TVs.
With an impressive ensemble of infrastructure punctuated with green spaces and parks, the city offers a mix of busy commercial districts and peaceful residential blocks. For a long time, the city has been ranked among the best places to settle in the state (and in the USA as well) due to the abundance of economic opportunities, good schools, and a generally peaceful atmosphere.
A variety of filming venues also serve as major attractions for film productions looking to work on their project here. Plus, the local departments are also eager to get involved in such efforts, offering their support wherever needed. Though getting a permit is not as simple as it would’ve been with an online portal, the special events staff is highly cooperative and will ensure that you don’t have to face much hassle. As long as you stick by the filming guidelines in Nashua, things should go swimmingly for you.
When you’re in town and not sure of how to best reflect your script’s setting, why not browse through Giggster’s listings of properties for rent? You can pick whatever best resonates with the look and feel of your script with just a click!