City Guide Filming in Palm Coast, FL
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee: Free
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1 million
- Workers’ Compensation: As per state requirements
- Automobile Liability: $1 million per incident
- Watercraft Liability: $1 million
- Aviation Insurance Coverage: $5 million
- UAS/Drone Insurance: $2 million
- Product Liability Insurance: $1 million
Additional Permits
- Police & Firefighter Monitoring: Organized by the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission
Discounts
About Palm Coast
What is the first thing that pops to mind when hearing someone say Florida? Palm trees and beaches, right? You’ll find both of these in Palm Coast (the name doesn’t leave much room for guessing). Palm Coast is renowned for its unique atmosphere, numerous outdoor recreational spots, and diverse city landscape. It is the most populous city of the county and houses many prominent landmarks and secrets that have given it much fame in the area.
Alligators, for instance, are a major attraction for tourists, and over a million of these can be found throughout the state. If you're in Palm Coast, your best bet at seeing one is at Wadsworth Park, where you can stroll through the walkways built on top of the alligator's swimming waters. Natural beauty is one of the defining factors of the city, and you can witness many scenic landscapes in the area, including St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, numerous nature preserves, and golf resorts with lush green lawns.
Though the city fades compared with Miami and other bigshots in the state, its natural allure and charm have not gone unnoticed in Hollywood. The city has hosted film production crews for numerous iconic titles, such as 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Prince and the Pauper: The Movie, Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich, Donnie Brasco, The Comedian, Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach, America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back, Smokey and the Bandit, and The Wild Rebels. If you're planning to pick Palm Coast as your next filming destination, you've made the smart choice, but it's best to review the filming guidelines in Palm Coast before proceeding any further to avoid trouble later on.
Also, if you’re looking for some of the most premium filming venues in Palm Coast and nearby areas, you can count on Giggster to help you find the best matches for your script!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Palm Coast?
Short answer: yes. All film productions need to acquire the necessary filming permits if they’re using public spaces, assets, or services for their film project. The filming guidelines in Palm Coast clearly state that you need to get a general filming permit from the local film office before you can film in public. This does not apply to a solo videographer or YouTuber in most cases, but it's best to reach out to the film office for confirmation.
If you're filming on private property and don't require any help from the local departments, you don't need to get a permit from the city, but the property owner's written permission is still required (just in case). Plus, there are also some other permits you may need besides a general filming permit in some cases:
Pyrotechnics Permit –
this permit is needed for film productions that plan on using gunfire, explosions, fireworks, and other fire-based special effects; you need to liaise with the fire safety department for this permit and the safe usage of the said special effects.
Animal Control Permit –
this permit is needed when film productions wish to use animals in the film project, such as cats, dogs, horses, and other such animals that can cause property damage or bodily injury to someone; you’ll need to liaise with the local animal control department.
Aircraft Usage Permit –
this permit is issued by the local aviation authority for film productions that need to use aircraft or helicopters in their film project; additional liability insurance coverage of $5 million is required for the issuance of this permit.
Drone Filming Permit –
if you wish to use a camera drone for your film project, you'll need to get a special permit for it first; an additional $2 million in liability insurance is also a requirement.
Permit Management in Palm Coast
Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission
The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission issues filming permits in Palm Coast and several other municipal jurisdictions. You can reach out to them via their website or contact them offline via phone call at 800 745 3456 or 561 233 1000. The film office offers a one-stop solution for all your permit needs and associated concerns. You won’t have to worry about reaching out to various local departments (unless instructed to do so), and instead, you will only have to fill in a simple online form and hit submit. That’s all from your end. There is no permit fee, which goes to show that the city has a pro-filmmaker policy.
Besides requiring your production’s basic info, the form will gather details such as:
Information about where you're staying
Details about the type of project (video, infomercial, short film, etc.)
Dates and times of your filming
Details of the locations selected for your project
Details of the anticipated filming activities
Lists and details of any equipment, props, production vehicles, and so on involved
You will also have to state clearly if you need any assistance from the local departments
If any unusual activities are involved, such as stunts, special effects, etc.
Large commercial productions should (but are not obligated to) meet with the film office staff during the pre-production stage to discuss the arrangements and the needs of the production team. The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission will liaise with any local departments involved, so you never have anything to worry about in this matter.
What Insurance Do I Need in Palm Coast?
Insurance requirements for film productions are set in place to make sure that if things do go wrong, which they can even if your production setup is the safest it can be, then the affected parties are compensated for their losses. Even the slightest negligence on the part of anyone involved can lead to consequences for the injured party, be it a complex stunt gone wrong, an automobile crash while filming a car race/chase scene, or a slip-and-fall accident.
In all such cases, the victim will contend with economic and non-economic damages, which the film production will reimburse them for. This necessitates sufficient insurance coverage on the part of the film production. However, there is no limit to what constitutes "sufficient" insurance coverage for film production. Instead, the production insurance requirements in Palm Coast are highly variable, depending upon the risk associated with the project. But we have highlighted the baseline requirements to give you 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 Palm Coast?
Putting our discussion on the filming laws in Palm Coast aside for a while, let's explore some of the numerous premium filming venues available for rent in the city. We have indoor and outdoor venues, purpose-built facilities and other premises for rent, commercial settings, and residential enclaves – whatever you need, you'll find in the city.
First in line is the 24/7 Pro Studio, equipped with an extra-large cyclorama wall plus miscellaneous gear. Other recording studio spaces include the Studio for Photography Video Podcasting Streaming, Spacious Photo Studio Space, Professional Podcast Studio, and Well-equipped Photography Studio B — these spaces are well-lit and equipped for filming, still photography, and more.
But if you need to incorporate something more natural into your film project, something like the Cozy & Stylish Wood Design Restaurant might be up your alley. It is a restaurant with fine furnishings, excellent lighting, and impressive wooden design elements. In contrast, the Doctor’s Office/Examination Room offers a minimalistic appearance loaded with equipment and articles relevant to the medical professional, giving it a perfectly realistic look comparable to that of a hospital.
You can also check out the Urban Garden Wonderland, an outdoor event space, which is impressive in its own right, and the same is also true for the '60s Guest House Venue plus stables spread over 4 acres. And if you're ever feeling too landbound but don’t care much for sand, then the Beach House Without Sand will be perfect.
Lastly, you’ve got more homey venues, such as Home With An Active Lifestyle (available for rent for filming) – the property is spread over an acre, bordered by tall trees, and includes a pool and a tennis area. Another perfect example in this category is the Beautiful Modern Family Home, built in 1954 and packed with all the amenities you could need.
This is not an exhaustive list. You’ll find a ton of filming venues for rent in the city, all excellent in their way — Giggster lists some of the most premium filming destinations and elsewhere. Feel free to check out our listings and book the venue that best suits your needs!
Special Requirements in Palm Coast
Filming At Flagler County School District
You can film at the Flagler County School District after the board’s approval for your activities which will be given after a careful review of your proposal (and the anticipated filming activities). Also, it will help if you schedule your filming activities as per the availability of the premises to avoid any troubles. You’ll be required to carry $1,000,000 in general liability coverage and another $1,000,000 in automobile liability coverage to be allowed to film here.
Filming At Neighborhood Parks
The local Parks and Recreation Department manages the likes of the Seminole Woods Neighborhood Park, Waterfront Park, and Belle Terre Park. You’ll need their approval to access the park premises exclusively and may have to hire an official from their team as a production monitor.
Filming At Long Creek Nature Preserve
Long Creek Nature Preserve is one of the many conservation areas in the region, and this one packs all the stuff you need for a great adventure, including kayaks and canoes. You must liaise with the park’s management to be able to film here, on their terms and conditions.
Filming At Wadsworth Park
Wadsworth Park is famous for its alligators – you can see them from the elevated walkways that they’ve built over the gator habitat. If you plan on filming here, especially the alligators, you’ll have to hire a production monitor from the park’s staff to ensure on-set safety; other park rules will also apply.
Filming At Nearby State Parks
Nearby state parks, such as the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and The Rocks-Washington Oaks State Park, are managed by the Florida State Parks Department. To film in these parks, you must:
Reach out to the park management with your proposal.
Review the park rules and agree to abide by them throughout.
Discuss the availability of the premises as per your schedule.
Hire a staff member for production monitoring.
Carry $1 million in general liability insurance.
Start filming as per schedule after approval.
Involvement Of The Law Enforcement
You will have to get law enforcement involved if one of the following is true:
You’re planning to use fake weapons or firearms in the filming.
Some of your actors will be wearing police/fire/emergency response department uniforms.
If you’re using prop police cars or other vehicles made out to resemble emergency services automobiles.
If your film production activities can make a reasonable person in the neighborhood assume that you’re endangering public safety (for instance, if you’re filming a gang war scene or a shootout scene).
If any intermittent traffic control services are needed.
Local Noise Ordinance
You also need to be aware of the noise ordinance in effect all over the county:
Any noise exceeding the 60-decibel mark is prohibited between 7 AM to 10 PM.
And between 10 PM to 7 AM, the restriction becomes tighter with a 55-decibel maximum.
What Does it Cost to Film in Palm Coast?
As per the filming regulations in Palm Coast, some extra fees and dues apply to film production activities, depending on the involvement of the local departments. However, the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission does not charge any fees of its own — this means that you get the filming permit for free if you wish to make any amendments to it, you can do so for free, and other services offered by the film office are free of cost.
Additional Fees
However, you will have to pay for the services of any services local departments, as per the quote given by the said departments. These services include:
Geographical Jurisdiction of Palm Coast?
The filming laws in Palm Coast only apply to the 90.8 square miles of territory that comes under the geographical jurisdiction of Palm Coast. Palm Coast is part of Flagler County in Florida and meets the Flagler County line up north; to the southwest, it borders Bunnell’s city limits; to the southeast, it meets Flagler Beach (which in turn borders the Atlantic Coast to the east); the western boundary is Espanola. Interstate 95 cuts through the city, moving southwards from the north.
Outreach in Palm Coast
You are required by the Palm Coast filming laws to post notification letters to all affected residents and business owners in the vicinity of your area of operations at least 48 hours before the start of your filming activities. Local surveys are needed only when unusual activities are involved; in most cases, a simple notification will be more than enough. You must mention all the relevant details, including information about the production team, the schedule, a brief outline of the expected filming activities, and street closures (and alternative pathways).
Community Management in Palm Coast
The Palm Coast community is one of the nicest you’ll encounter in the USA — the people are generally kind, welcoming, and outgoing. Plus, since the filming regulations in Palm Coast only require you to send notifications to the residents and not conduct a survey (in most cases) before filming, you won't run into much trouble.
As much as the beach lovers in the area love to surf, swim, and hang out, they don't appreciate loud noises and excessive disturbance, so steer clear of these two.
Conclusion
Palm Coast may not be as big a deal as Miami, but it does have all that you can ask for. Need to see alligators? You can do so here. Need to rent premium filming venues and top-tier houses for film production? You got it! Want to film at the beach? It’s not that far away. Films like 2 Fast 2 Furious and The Prince and the Pauper are perfect examples of what can be produced from all that the city has to offer. From purpose-built filming studios with green screens, cyclorama walls, and other equipment to everyday natural environments, you’ve got a wide assortment of choices for your project. Outdoor locations are also equally impressive.
Plus, the filming guidelines in Palm Coast are very clear, and if you ever find yourself confused about anything, you can reach out to the film office for guidance and more. Productions can benefit from cooperation from all concerned local departments, including the police and fire departments, courtesy of the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission. All in all, the city offers help in all spheres and packs the right atmosphere and setting to base your film on — and as far as the locations are concerned, you can scout for the best filming venues on Giggster.