City Guide Filming in SoHo, NY
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee: $300
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1 million
- Worker’s Compensation: As per state requirements
- Automobile Liability: $1 million for “owned,” “non-owned,” or “hired”
- Aviation Insurance Coverage: $5 million
- UAS/Drone Insurance: $2 million
- Product Liability Insurance: $1 million
- Liquor Liability Insurance: $1 million
Additional Permits
- Police & Firefighter Monitoring: Organized by the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting
Discounts
About SoHo
SoHo (also given as Soho) is an artist’s paradise in Manhattan — it is a New York City neighborhood that has consistently attracted artists and creative minds. The neighborhood is also dotted with art galleries, top-tier boutiques, and store outlets operating nationally and sometimes internationally. SoHo’s name was first suggested by Chester Rapkin, a notable local urban planner, and it denotes its position — South of Houston Street. Since 1962, this has been the neighborhood’s name. The neighborhood is part of the SoHo–Cast Iron Historic District because the area houses several historic buildings out of the 500 total in the neighborhood, and this has also secured SoHo’s place in the National Register of Historic Places; it was officially declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978. Also, interestingly, in some areas of the neighborhood, you will see that the side streets have pavements made up of Belgian blocks.
The historical nature of this area contrasts with the modern outlook of New York City in general. And Hollywood did not miss this opportunity! Films like Independence Day, Unfaithful, The Devil's Advocate, Men in Black II, News from Home, The Visitor, The First Wives Club, Center Stage, Last Night, High Strung, New York Stories, Desperately Seeking Susan, Limitless, Ghost, and After Hours have featured SoHo in all its glory. If you are tempted to pack your stuff and head for the neighborhood to film your next project there without delay, wait for a couple of minutes and give this short guide a thorough read so that you can get a basic understanding of the filming guidelines in SoHo first — to avoid surprises down the road.
The local laws work in the favor of filmmakers.
Also, if you find yourself in town and need to pick the best filming venues in SoHo for your project, you can do so without having to scout for such spots via Giggster!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in SoHo?
Yes, all film productions working in SoHo need to first get a film permit from the local film office if they’re planning to use public property for their project, if they require the assistance of the local departments, or if they’re filming outdoors where their activities can affect the locals. The NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting issues permits for productions here, and you can check out their website for insights into the filming guidelines in SoHo. You’ll also need additional permits and permissions depending on the nature of your script and the elements that you wish to incorporate into your project. These additional permits include:
Pyrotechnics Permit –
film productions must get a pyrotechnics permit if any fireworks, explosions, gunfire, or similar special effects are part of the film project.
Animal Control Permit –
film productions must get an animal control permit if any animals that may pose the threat of bodily injury or property damage, i.e., horses, cats, dogs, and so on, are involved.
Aircraft Usage Permit –
film productions must get an aircraft usage permit if helicopters or aircraft are to be part of the film, especially if they are to do a low fly-by; productions will also be required to arrange for an additional $5 million in aviation liability coverage.
Drone Filming Permit –
film productions must get a drone filming permit if any camera drones are involved in the equation; you’ll have to provide an additional $2 million in UAS liability coverage.
Student/Non-Commercial Filming Permit –
this is not a special permit, but we mentioned it here to let you know that students and non-commercial filmmakers can get their general filming permits free of cost after verification of their status.
Permit Management in SoHo
NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting
General filming permits in SoHo are issued by the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting which is located at 1697 Broadway, Suite 602, New York, NY 10019. You don’t need to visit the office in person, but you can if you feel like discussing some special details with someone there. The film office has a perfectly functioning website with all the resources and information you could hope for. You can also apply for a general filming permit online via their portal, where you’ll have to provide information concerning your film production efforts, insurance coverage, and more. No need to go in person for application submission when it can all be done online. Also, do keep in mind that there are two types of general filming permits – one that is mandatory for film productions operating in public and the other one is optional (i.e., for productions that don’t need to get a permit but still can, if they want to) – the latter is free.
Also, your filming permit will get you several things for free such as assistance from the local police department, parking privileges, and more. But there are restrictions too, especially if you’re a student filmmaker – you can’t film in residential areas past 11:00 PM. And the same applies for commercial areas past midnight, but only if police assistance is needed on the set. Otherwise, the latter restriction does not apply. You will have to discuss your production/filming timings with the film office beforehand to avoid any troubles later down the road. Indoor filming is not covered by the general filming permit issued by the local film office, especially the interiors of private venues – in that case, you’ll have to rent the private premises and agree with the property owner on certain rules and regulations concerning the usage of the venue in filming activities (i.e., no smoking policy, no adult filming policy in some venues, etc.) When you’re filming in private venues, you only need a written permission letter from the owner of the property; no extra permits/permissions are needed from the city.
What Insurance Do I Need in SoHo?
Production insurance is the only hard and fast requirement for film productions operating in the area, and even here, some leeway is available, which is not the case in many other cities. However, it’s essential to know first why these requirements have been established in the first place. Accidents can happen without warning. Car crashes, stunts have gone wrong, lifting injuries (muscle sprains and strains), and slip-and-falls are some of the most common occurrences. This is not necessarily only true for riskier projects; when things do go wrong, it doesn’t matter what the level of perceived risk associated with your script was — you must be able to compensate the victims of these accidents with your insurance, and this is the basis of carrying production insurance. The production insurance requirements in SoHo are not fixed. However, we have listed the basic requirements (which can be added to) as follows:
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 SoHo?
Now that we’re almost midway through our discussion on the filming laws in SoHo. Let’s look at some of the finest indoor and outdoor filming venues. Purpose-built and fully equipped facilities like the Photo & Video Studio, Manhattan Boutique Photo Studio, Immersive Event Space In Soho, and Flexible Mainstage Theater plus Lounge Space are perfect for most scenarios. These spaces offer a vibrant mixture of colors that contrasts perfectly, plus the interiors are flooded with ample lighting, making every article/feature stand out.
For more natural environments, film crews can take a look at options like the Light Filled Loft with Classic Detail, Designer Soho Loft Space, West Village Brownstone Apartment (inside a brick-colored building), Soho Apartment with Rooftop, NYC Apartment with Roof Access, and Tribeca Rooftop. Other options, like the NY Furniture Showroom, with its impressive collection of furniture articles and warm and balanced appearance, can impact film projects that need more sophistication. And to build a more serious tone in a business-like formal environment, the Soho Conference Room (The Library) would be perfect.
All venues are unique in their own right and are thus suited best for various scenarios. Whatever your case, be sure to check out the details first before you rent. At Giggster, we transparently mention all the details that concern you so you can pick the best venues for your film project!
Special Requirements in SoHo
Filming In Local School Districts
The local school districts are only available for filming when the premises are not under use otherwise, i.e., during the weekends, vacations, holidays, winter holidays, etc. You’ll have to reach out to the school board in person with your proposal, and discuss all the details including the anticipated activities, schedule, associated risks, nature of the script, and so on before you can film. Once your application is approved, you need to arrange for general liability coverage of $1 million and Worker’s Compensation insurance (plus any rent that the school board demands). Following this, you can start filming as per schedule. You can also apply for an optional permit with the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting.
Some of the most prominent school districts in the area include:
The Calhoun School
The Montessori School in SoHo
Broome Street Academy Charter High School
New York City School District #1
Filming In Neighborhood Parks
You can ask the parks and recreation department for exclusive access to the neighborhood parks in SoHo. However, you will have to abide by their rules and also agree to hire an official from their staff to monitor the production efforts. The top-visited parks in SoHo include:
Soho Square Park
Columbus Park
Washington Square Park
Tribeca Park
Elizabeth Street Garden
Sara Delano Roosevelt Park
Petrosino Square
Filming In Nearby State Parks
The New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department manages nearby state parks such as the Marsha P. Johnson State Park, Riverbank State Park, and Gantry Plaza State Park, and you must reach out to the same for permission to film in such parks. State parks are natural preservation areas, so all rules and regulations apply to the fullest (no destructive activity will be tolerated on the park premises). Plus, as a precondition, you’ll have to hire park guides and production monitors; also, all parking fees and entry fees will be applied as usual.
What Does it Cost to Film in SoHo?
The filming regulations in SoHo couldn’t be more fair and relaxed, and the best way to see this is to analyze the costs associated with filming your project. How much do filming privileges in SoHo cost, you may ask? Well, it’s far lower than what you’d expect! The only expense you need to remember is the permit fee, and most are free. Here’s a rough breakdown of what the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting will charge you for your filming privileges:
Additional Fees
On top of filming privileges, this $300 general filming permit will buy you;
Please don’t start your filming activities until you’ve received your permit to avoid any troubles with the local authorities. Don’t shy away from paying the permit fee, as this minimal sum affords you many privileges that would otherwise cost a lot. Non-compliance with these rules can lead to severe consequences, including the shutdown of your production efforts.
Geographical Jurisdiction of SoHo?
If you’re wondering about the extent to which the filming laws in SoHo apply, now’s the time to take a look at the boundaries of the neighborhood. But here’s the problem — most New York neighborhoods, including SoHo, don’t have fixed boundaries, but instead, there are numerous claims as to what defines the boundaries accurately. There is no disagreement on the northern and southern boundaries though — these are marked by Houston Street and Canal Street, respectively. The dispute lies with the eastern and western boundaries; according to The New York Times, these are demarcated by West Broadway and Lafayette Street. However, a rival claim made by The Encyclopedia of New York City puts these boundaries at Crosby Street and Sixth Avenue respectively. Google Maps agrees with the latter. In any case, you can rest assured that the neighboring parts of New York have almost the same regulations as in SoHo, so there should be no confusion on your part.
Outreach in SoHo
The SoHo filming laws require all filmmakers planning to film in public to notify the affected community, including nearby residents and business owners, at least 48 hours before filming. In most cases, there is no need to conduct a local survey before you can film in the neighborhood, but you will need to send detailed notification letters to all concerned. Be sure to ask the film office for a sample letter first so that you can mention all the required details and avoid the parts not needing to be shared — you need to share your contact information, schedule of filming, the selected venues, mention if there will be any street closures (and if so, tell them which routes they can take as alternatives), and so on. It is best to send these letters out as early as possible, but only after approval from the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting.
Community Management in SoHo
SoHo has generally been described as one of the best places to live in the city, and it all comes down to its warm and welcoming community. The people here are no strangers to film productions doing their best in the open; you won’t get any alien vibes. Plus, the filming regulations in SoHo don’t put you in a spot where you’ll have to reach out to the locals for your survey, except in rare cases (if you plan to shoot in the same neighborhood for an extended period or if you want to do a low-flyby with an aircraft, for instance.) In short, save for noise pollution, privacy violations, and excessive disturbance, you can do what you do best in this neighborhood.
Conclusion
We have seen just how impressive SoHo is in terms of history, availability of filming venues, and the general atmosphere. It contrasts perfectly with the picture of the modern and busy life that New York City portrays and has worked to its benefit. Films like Unfaithful, Independence Day, The Devil's Advocate, and Men in Black II impacted the cinematic industry, and they all have one thing in common — SoHo. This part of the city has what you need to make the best out of your project. The filming guidelines in SoHo are simple and easy to follow as well — the process for acquiring a filming permit is straightforward and convenient: you will not even have to leave your sofa to be able to get your permit (as you can apply online). Plus, the single permit fee will buy you the services and cooperation of local authorities. You will not have to spend extra on such services. Plus, when you do come to SoHo and wish to book the best places where you can film without any hassle, log onto Giggster, take your pick from our top listings of the area and nearby, and get started with your project without any worries; we offer the best deals and complete payment protection!