City Guide Filming in Palatine, IL
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee: $250/per day
- Reduced Fee (for students and non-commercial productions): $25/per day
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1 million
- Worker’s Compensation:
- Automobile Liability:
- Aviation Insurance Coverage
- UAS/Drone Insurance:
- Product Liability Insurance:
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Palatine
As the seventh-biggest suburban area in Cook County, population-wise, and the eighth-biggest in Illinois, Palatine may not seem like a place with much to offer to filmmakers. But you'd be sorely mistaken if you were to dismiss the thought of exploring the village's landmarks and venues for your film production efforts. Less than an hour from the excitement of Chicago, the local climate fluctuates heavily throughout the year; it can get warm and humid in the summers, but the winters can be freezing cold with snow. But, if you're filming indoors or if you plan your schedule based on climate fluctuations, you won't have to deal with any trouble.
The summers and early winters are perfect for your endeavors because, in this timeframe, a sense of joy and celebration hangs in the air. Festivals like Streetfest, with food stalls on streets, street music, recreational activities, and games; the Fourth of July Celebration, with a parade, carnival, and fireworks; and Oktoberfest to commemorate the historic and ancestral ties of the city with the German people put the locals in a celebratory mood. Not to say that the snowy winters will fail to impress you if that's what you're looking for!
And speaking of impressions, the city has left its mark on Hollywood through cinematic marvels like Blues Brothers 2000, Meet the Parents, Bob and Edgar, Cult of the Shadow People, Fate Twisted Simply, Sleep to Dream, Beautiful Brooke, Never Have I Ever, Darren & Abbey, The Girl in the Other Room, and Coasting. Who knows, your project could be the next big thing featuring Palatine in all its glory!
But before you start gearing up for your filming project, just take a few minutes to go over the basic filming guidelines in Palatine to help you understand who to approach regarding your permit issuance and for technical assistance regarding your film production.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Palatine?
Yes, all filming activities that take place on public property or those that involve the collaboration of local departments require a film permit. The Illinois Film Office does not issue permits on its own, but you can reach out to them for assistance in acquiring one and for all the resources you need to get your application approved.
For your general film permit, you'll have to reach out to the Palatine Film Office, which operates under the local government, and then submit your application as per the filming guidelines in Palatine. Approval can take about a week (minimum 4 business days), and then if you get the all-clear, you can start filming at your selected venue.
Pyrotechnics Permit
for using fire-based special effects, explosions, gunfire, and the like, you'll need a special permit from the local fire department.
Animal Control Permit
for having an animal that can potentially cause harm to a passerby or cause property damage, you’ll need an animal control permit.
Aircraft Usage Permit
to be able to use an aircraft/helicopter in your film production, you’ll have to get a permit from the local aviation authority; aviation liability insurance of $5 million is also needed.
Drone Filming Permit
this permit is needed when a camera drone is involved in the filming; liability insurance coverage of $2 million plus compliance with the FAA regulations for UAS is also required.
Student/Non-Profit Filmmaker Permit
students and non-commercial filming crews can get permits for discounted rates.
Permit Management in Palatine
Palatine Film Office
General filming permits in Palatine are issued by the local film office, which operates under the umbrella of the Illinois Film Office. The latter is simply an umbrella organization managing film productions in the state, it does not issue permits on its own. But you can always reach out to them for information, resources, and assistance.
The Palatine Film Office will issue a general filming permit once you submit your application and fulfill all the associated requirements. You can reach out to the film office in person at 200 E. Wood Street in Palatine or get in touch with them via the official Palatine website’s contact page.
The permit application form is available online. You can download it, fill it out manually, and then submit it to the film office staff. Unlike in many other cities of the USA, there is no online portal for applying for a film permit without leaving the comfort of your couch or office; instead, you’ll have to submit your application in hard copy. However, the process is not overly complicated, and if you understand the basic requirements for getting a permit, you’ll be fine. Generally, the time required for processing a special event permit application is 60 days, but if you’re submitting a permit application for film production activities, you can request for the approval to be given sooner – the film office generally does so within a week.
For more information, you can reach out to the local special events coordinator at (847) 359-9028 or sstorelli@palatine.il.us.
Plus, if you’re planning on filming in Illinois, you can get a waiver on the hotel occupancy tax if you stay in the same hotel for 30 days or more. The Illinois Film Commission also provides extras for film production, so if you’re running short on production staff members, you can approach them. As for the liaison with local departments, that part you’ll have to handle yourself.
What Insurance Do I Need in Palatine?
All film productions must carry the required levels of insurance coverage in case the worst actually happens. Even if your script does not involve elements of risk, you should still be prepared because accidents and mishaps can happen without warning. Whether such an incident involves one of your production team members or someone else, you'll be responsible for compensating them for their losses.
Based on the level of perceived risk associated with your film production activities, you'll have to arrange a certain amount of insurance coverage – the higher the risk, the higher the insurance coverage requirements. We have listed the baseline production insurance requirements in Palatine below to help you get some perspective.
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 Palatine?
Let’s take a brief respite from our discussion about the filming laws in Palatine, and instead, let’s take a look at the many filming venues in the city. You’ve got a whole assortment of filming destinations, both public spaces and private venues, to choose from for your next production. Places like public parks, Family Aquatic Center, and Palatine Stables are frequented by visitors from all over the area and beyond. But apart from this, you can also rent private venues.
First up is the FLO Gym – this modern fitness center and martial arts training facility is jampacked with all the equipment you could hope for, and the general ambiance and setting make it perfect for filming too.
Other options are more formal and related to the 9 to 5 routine. If this suits your film project, then you can try the likes of the Hub Meeting Space. This space is fully furnished, well-lit, and themed accordingly – you can even use it for a podcast. In comparison, the Board Room Plus Project Room is a bit bigger, comes with more amenities too, and has virtual conference equipment as well. But if you’re looking for something less than top-tier in this category, then the Zoom Room Conference Room and the Zoom Room Huddle Room are both excellent options.
The 9 to 5 setting can get boring quickly, though. And you may want to explore venues that can help you highlight other aspects of the lives of your film characters. The Hub Event Space in Arlington Heights, for instance, is a perfect, versatile space with panoramic displays of the cityscape. Taking the height to the next step, check out the Roof Top Sky Deck Event Space, which, as the name suggests, features the open sky of the city and allows visitors to relish the sights from a towering perspective. For a softer and cozier ambiance, you can try the Annex Cafe Event Space, which has both a café bar and pantry, is fully furnished with contrasting colors, features high ceilings, and is lit perfectly by hanging lights.
If we didn’t cover the sort of venue that you’d want, then don’t worry; Giggster‘s list of filming venues in Palatine is quite extensive – we’ll help you pick the sort of event space you want for your script.
Special Requirements in Palatine
Filming In Local Parks
The local parks in and near Palatine, such as Community Park, Celtic Park, Cedar Park, and Cherrywood Park, are all managed by the local parks department. You can get access to these parks to film if you reach out to the Parks Department. They may require you to hire a department member as a production monitor, and you may have to pay for exclusive access to the park, although this is not guaranteed. In any case, park entry fees, parking fees, and other such charges will still apply. And if you need the local Parks Department to clean up after you’ve left, you’ll have to pay for that as well.
Filming In School Districts
You can also get conditional approval for your film production activities at the local school districts. Some of the most famous ones in the area include the Gray M. Sanborn Elementary School, Stuart R. Paddock School, and Lincoln School, to name a few. To be allowed to film here, you'll have to reach out to the school administration, ideally a month in advance, with your proposal.
Since the school premises are unlike regular filming venues, you'll have to tone down some elements of your film production, such as the use of pyrotechnics or risky stunts. Once you've presented a safe and toned-down version of your script activities to the school board and asked for exclusive access on an off-day, holiday, or weekend, you might be able to get approval. Plus, the school would like to see $1 million in general liability on your part to be sure that you'll cover for losses, if any.
Filming In Nearby State Parks And Nature Preserves
State parks and nature preserves in the area are managed by the Department of Forest Preserves of Cook County. One of the natural highlights of the area is the Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Most of these parks are managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, so you’ll need to seek their approval before you embark on any filming activities. Chances are, they might be excited to get their park/reserve featured in your project, but the approval will come with certain limitations. Nature preserves and state parks are, after all, meant to conserve the local flora and fauna, so any activity that may disturb either will be strictly banned and usual park rules will apply at all times. You might also have to hire a park official for the film production to ensure complete compliance with the regulations. All park fees and dues will also apply.
Noise Regulations
Generally, all forms of noise pollution are discouraged throughout Illinois. This includes the noise of generators, loudspeakers, vehicles, and anything else that makes a lot of noise. You are free to film, but you’ll have to cut down on any excessive disturbance, and in case of a sudden noise/explosion, be sure to inform the affected locals and the police department in advance to avoid any trouble.
Regulations For Using Camera Drones
Camera drones are allowed for filming activities, but once again, this approval is conditional – you’ll have to first ensure that you respect everyone's sense of privacy. Camera drones can be a bit intrusive, so people have the right to point out that they must be used responsibly. Second, you'll also have to arrange for liability insurance to operate the camera drone, and lastly, you must comply with all the FAA regulations for UAS and camera drones throughout.
What Does it Cost to Film in Palatine?
Now that we’re nearing the conclusion of our discussion on the filming regulations in Palatine, let's talk money. You will have to, after all, pay for your general filming permit and any associated support you requested from the local government. Most of these fees are to be decided by the concerned departments specifically for your case, depending on specifics like the nature of the duty and duration of the job. You can even negotiate some of these costs where there is room.
Additional Fees
Sometimes, a security deposit might be required to cover potential damages or a clean-up to ensure the filming location is returned to its original state after filming. There might be additional location fees if you're filming in public spaces or using public property. This can include parks, streets, government buildings, etc.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Palatine?
The aforementioned filming laws in Palatine apply only to the geographic bounds of the city; for nearby cities and suburbs, the filming rules might be slightly different. Sitting in Illinois’ Cook County, the suburb is bounded by settlements on all sides. To the north, Deer Grove Forest Reserve, Deer Park, Kildeer, and Long Grove mark the village's boundary. The eastern boundary is demarcated by Buffalo Grove and Lake Arlington whereas, on the southern side, Palatine’s boundary is Rolling Heights. Lastly, the western border is defined by Inverness and South Ridge Park.
Outreach in Palatine
All filmmakers must inform the affected residents of the local community about any upcoming filming activities at least two days prior to the shoot – but ideally earlier than that. The Palatine filming laws dictate that you mention your contact information, relevant details of the anticipated filming activities in the area, details of any alternative routes (in case of street closure), and assorted information that may be helpful for the residents. A copy of this notification must also be submitted to the local film office. Surveys are generally not needed unless you plan on going beyond the coverage of a general filming permit in a residential area.
Community Management in Palatine
Palatine has been consistently declared as one of the best places to live in all of Illinois – the location gives a mixture of urban and suburban feelings. And the filming regulations in Palatine don’t necessitate any local surveys before you begin filming except in some circumstances (i.e., for filming beyond the allowed hours, etc.), so you don’t have much to worry about. Generally, you can expect people to be warm, welcoming, and kind.
Conclusion
We’ve gone over the most relevant details regarding the filming guidelines in Palatine, and it is probably very clear to you that the village is a perfect filming destination for you. Not only are the local laws easy to comply with, but you also have a film office staff that is eager to assist you in getting the best out of your time spent here. Plus, the sheer variety of filming locations available, including public spaces like parks, recreation facilities, and pools allow for a "slideshow" of sceneries and ambiances.
The tax incentive offered by the state of Illinois is also perfect for drawing more and more filmmakers to the area specifically and the state in general as well. And lastly, you'll never have to worry about location scouting. With Giggster, you can rent the most premium filming locations in the area without a worry in the world!