City Guide Filming in Raleigh, NC
Production Permit Fees
- Film permit application fee: $50 (non-refundable)
- Filming permit: $50 per day
- Student filming: $50
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability: At least $1 million per incident.
- Liquor Liability Coverage: At least $1 million if your film production will require serving alcohol.
- Workers’ Compensation: Complies with Workers’ Comp laws in North Carolina.
- Automobile Liability: At least $1 million covering any vehicle used during the filming activities.
Additional Permits
- Police and Fire Requirements: Organized through the Special Events Office where needed.
Discounts
About Raleigh
Raleigh is a beautiful city with interest and character that offers several opportunities for inspiration for film production. Beyond the sensational scenery and breathtaking parks that bring Hollywood to Raleigh, its growing infrastructure of film production facilities, a long list of incentives, and a skilled workforce make it easier than ever. The city has a distinctive film production history, and the industry only continues to grow.
Whether a feature film or commercial venture, several locations in and around Raleigh are accessible and versatile enough to meet the needs of a wide variety of film production. Over the years, Raleigh has been the location for several prominent featured films, including “Bull Durham,” “Remnants,” and “The Handmaid's Tale.” TV productions/networks that were shot in the city also include “Homeland,” “NC Wanted,” and “The Perfect Date.”
However, before arriving in a new city, every filmmaker needs the lay of the land. This Raleigh filming guide explores everything about filming in Raleigh.
If you are looking for the best places to shoot your next film in the City of Raleigh, check out these top film locations for small and big productions.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Raleigh?
Anyone entering the City of Raleigh to shoot anything requires a filming permit as well as the necessary paperwork, which is specified on the application. A filming permit is merely permission to film a specified project on the city property within a specific duration. Most locations, from national parks to city sidewalks, will require some form of a permit from the Special Events Office for certain filming projects.
Impact on Others:
Do you need special access to a private section of a property? Will you need to close down Raleigh roads to film? Will you obstruct pedestrian traffic in a park? These scenarios impact public use and will almost certainly be scrutinized before a permit is awarded.
Equipment and Props:
Are you transporting props, obtrusive camera equipment, or pyrotechnics? It's time to get the papers together.
Animal Control Permit:
Does your film production require animals, and do you plan to bring them to the location? Getting an animal control permit is a must.
Permit Management in Raleigh
Special Events Office
The Special Events Office is the official film office responsible for managing filming permits in Raleigh. The agency’s mission is to improve Raleigh's quality of life and economic prosperity by supporting film production while also balancing the demands of residents and business owners affected by these filming activities.
The Special Events Office is in charge of processing filming permit applications, disseminating event information to the public, maintaining feedback for residents and businesses in the area, reviewing filming requests for compliance with Raleigh’s Special Event Policy and other appropriate filming policies, and acting as a liaison between filmmakers and other related agencies throughout the entire filming permit process and during filming. The agency also maintains an Events Task Force, which comprises representatives from partner agencies, the City, and the community, to guide Special Events Office employees as required.
Filming permit requirements in Raleigh is usually an easy process. The Special Events Office will analyze the application and discuss it with the production company to determine the sort of film permit to be issued. To handle applications that do not require sophisticated filming activities, the city requires at least three business days' notice. Approvals are granted based on the filming's impact on the city. It is better to think about filming permits as early in the pre-production process as possible to budget for the likely cost of those permits.
What Insurance Do I Need in Raleigh?
Filming activities held on public and private land must get an insurance policy that names the City of Raleigh as an extra insured, with limitations specified by the City's Risk Management Division. Depending on your specific filming demands, you may be required to provide a few film production insurance policies that cover different filming possibilities.
Have a policy suited to your unique degree of filming risk. It should cover everything from broken equipment to third-party injuries.
Before registering for insurance, it is essential to contact the Special Events Office of Raleigh to understand what type of coverage you require. The following are examples of film production insurance policies required by the City of Raleigh:
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 Raleigh?
The gorgeous parks, historic homes with stunning architecture, public art displays, and thriving downtown make the City of Raleigh an ideal location for filmmaking. Depending on the needs of your film production, these Raleigh filming locations can be transformed into urban or country environments.
The beautiful Dorthea Dix Park is open from dawn to dark every day. Dorthea Dix Park is unlike any other park, with its rolling hills, tree-lined walks, and breathtaking views. There are enough calm places and open landscapes to serve as the backdrop for various storylines. The location is stunningly lovely in almost any season. It is a true retreat, only ten minutes from downtown Raleigh.
Pullen Park is also a true playground in the heart of Raleigh. The park contains many attractions, including coasters, a lake, playgrounds, a theater, an aquatic center, and beautiful bridges.
The intimacy of the Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden is delightful whether producing still photos or commercial films. From late May through early September, you will find an extraordinary display of color and beauty, with over sixty beds of roses and more than fifty species of roses. The Raleigh Rose Garden is a hidden beauty within Raleigh. Even in the off-season, the environment is stunning, with architectural features such as stone structures, a hanging trellis walk, twisting walks, and a water feature - ideal for a wide range of scenes.
The North Carolina State Capitol can be used for any number of settings. Besides, the spot is surprisingly quiet, given the location in the middle of Raleigh downtown. For a remarkable set for making films, try using the spot at night, when highlights focus on the architecture and statues.
Another great location to shoot a film in Raleigh is Raleigh's Historic City Market. The City Market, located south of the State Capitol, boasts cobblestone lanes and charming storefronts. The aged brick structures, combined with the bustling shops, provide many opportunities for cinematography. The Historic City Market’s shops are as diverse as Raleigh's population. As part of this well-loved downtown locale, the streets around Moore Square are filled with charming outdoor cafes, boutique businesses, bustling pubs, art galleries, and a variety of shops.
Many possibilities await in Raleigh, thanks to a varied urban environment and the fantastic accessibility of various filming locations.
Special Requirements in Raleigh
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
The Airport Authority is responsible for reviewing all filming applications and often responds within three business days of receiving your application.
An insurance certificate must be submitted with the application. The single combined limit of $1,500,000 must be included in the Certificate of Commercial Liability Insurance. The RDU Airport Authority is identified as the "Certificate Holder" as well as the "Designated Insured" or "Additional Insured."
Before filming inside spaces rented by third parties, permission from those businesses must be acquired.
All pre-security areas of the airport are available for filming. However, the terminal concourses are not accessible to the media without a pre-arranged escort because they require going through the TSA security checkpoint.
Fill out a Filming Request Form at least 14 working days before the desired film production date.
Parks
If your filming in a park is "low-impact," you can get your filming permit through the Parks and Recreation Department.
Any commercial filming in a City of Raleigh Parks not defined as "low-impact" will require permission from the Special Events Office.
The application will be reviewed by Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (PRCR) to ensure that it is consistent with the purpose of public parks.
Closure of City Streets
The Special Events Office is in charge of temporarily closing City streets for film productions. An authorized street closure allows you to use the sidewalks and roadways within the Special Event Permit boundaries. This usually includes access to all parking places on the restricted street. You should make up for any lost revenue due to the closure of metered parking spaces.
Amplified Sound
The Special Events Office handles temporary waivers of City sound restrictions for events. A sound ordinance waiver, if granted, allows you to use amplified sounds inside the locations. Producers should consider the effects of the sound on the nearby neighborhoods. The City maintains the authority to withdraw the amplified sound variance or impose decibel limitations at any time.
No Parking Postings
If your event requires the closure of roads within a commercial district, "No Parking" signage may be required. The Raleigh Police Department will put up the placards at least 24 hours before the restrictions go into effect. Not all activities will necessitate signs, but when posted, it will be at the discretion of the Police Department. During the permitting procedure, this will be determined. You should also handle any lost revenue due to the restricted access to metered parking places.
North Carolina State University
All commercial filming requests, including contracts, insurance certificates, and expenses, are evaluated by University Communications and Marketing.
Furthermore, if your film team requests footage including NC State trademarks, the NC State Trademark Licensing office will be contacted for clarification.
Before filming, University Communications and Marketing must receive a completed contract, approvals from the targeted sites, and a $1 million certificate of insurance.
Fire Requirements
The County Fire Department manages all fire, special effects, and life safety matters. Following an assessment by the Fire Marshal, fire safety officers may be required. Activities that may necessitate the employment of a fire safety officer include special effects, inside filming, projectile pyrotechnics, big crews, and filming during fire season or in fire-sensitive locations.
What Does it Cost to Film in Raleigh?
You may be charged a price for filming in Raleigh, depending on the type of your filming project, the details of your production, and the location you desire to shoot in. This fee can range from a few dollars in some circumstances to hundreds of dollars if you're working on a large production.
Additional Fees
A complete filming permit application is not accepted until the filming application form and the non-refundable filming application fee are received. Permit payments are collected upon approval and are refundable up to 15 days before the event. Cancellation within 15 days of the filming date does not warrant a permit payment refund. If the film production is canceled due to emergencies, such as severe weather, the fees may be transferred to future event permits at the discretion of the City of Raleigh’s Special Events Office.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Raleigh?
Raleigh is the state capital of North Carolina. It is North Carolina's 2nd most populated city and the 10th most populated city in the Southeast. Raleigh is nicknamed the "City of Oaks" because of the many oak trees that border the streets in the city center. In 2020, the city's population was estimated to be 474,069 by the United States Census Bureau. It is one of the United States' fastest-growing cities. Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle, which also includes Durham and Chapel Hill.
At Raleigh, you’ll discover outstanding arts and culture, a renowned culinary landscape, and film scenes. While most of the city of Raleigh is located within Wake County, the city is considered a separate jurisdiction, and a filming permit is administered by the city’s Special Events Office.
Outreach in Raleigh
You will be required to notify any adjacent residents or businesses who may be directly or indirectly affected by the filming as part of your authorization to film in a specified area in Raleigh. Before the letter is distributed, the Special Events Office will want to evaluate and approve it. The film notification must contain the name of the project, the date and timeframe of the event, the locations and times, the filmmaker's name, phone number, and email. You may contact affected community members in person, via phone, or by email. You can also use a combination of the aforementioned notice techniques.
Community Management in Raleigh
For a successful film production in your area, sending a notification to the community members is not enough. At the absolute least, the residents and business community must believe that filming activity is not interfering with their activities and operations. Also, when businesses benefit from a film production's presence, whether through increased sales, a location fee, or overall beneficial exposure, this is a true win-win situation. It is up to you to assist them in understanding what these things may be.
Knowing what will happen during a shoot will also help alleviate a lot of worries. You should frequently visit the community to discuss what you intend to undertake. When the filming activity is minimal, a leaflet announcing the impending activity and containing the contact name and number of the film crew may be adequate. It is normal for a town meeting to take place during a large or lengthy film shoot.
Conclusion
The City of Raleigh continues to be a busy hub for filming features, television, and advertising production. The city boasts breathtaking natural views and picturesque parks. Plus, the city also offers a 25% incentive to filmmakers who come to Raleigh to produce films.
This guide will assist filmmakers in their efforts to learn about Raleigh’s filming guidelines and regulations and what the city has to offer. The Special Events Office can also help with your filming goals while helping to protect the city’s resources. The agency is also your community's link to local police and fire department personnel who can help with road closures, crowd control, and other needs.
Overall, give yourself plenty of time to make contact and finish the necessary documents, especially if this is your first time shooting a film in Raleigh. When completing the necessary paperwork, read and fill out the forms carefully and thoroughly to avoid having your filming permit application rejected. And, of course, once you've received the coveted green light, remember to strictly adhere to all of Raleigh’s filming laws and regulations- and, of course, bring your filming permit with you on the shoot!