Yes; a film permit is necessary to film any commercial photography, still photography, any music video, documentary footage, motion picture, or television show in unincorporated Clark County.
No; you will also need to register with the state film office: the Nevada Film Office. Registration is free and for more information about registering with the state film office, please visit:
NevadaFilm.com
Being specific about your film location(s) is incredibly important and we recommend you use our
jurisdiction locator to assist in determining which jurisdiction you need to contact for a film permit. The region most people consider “Las Vegas” is made up of six (6) different jurisdictions: city of Las Vegas, city of Henderson, Clark County, Boulder City, city of Mesquite, and city of North Las Vegas.
Yes; depending on the scope of your film project, you may also be asked to contact the Federal Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Highway Patrol, the Nevada Film Office, the Fremont Street Experience, the Federal Aviation Administration, Clark County Department of Public Works, Clark County Fire Department, Clark County Department of Parks and Recreation, Harry Reid International Airport, and/or the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Contact information can/ will be provided by the film administrator if necessary for your application.
Yes; while the film permit itself is free there is a $45 Film Permit processing fee. Note, there may be additional costs associated with location permissions, maintaining public safety, or traffic closures depending on the needs of the project. However, those fees will need to be paid directly to the additional agency and are not fees levied by the County Film Permit division.
The $45 Film Permit processing fee can only be paid online. Once a film permit application has been reviewed, a confirmation email will be sent to the contact email provided at time of application with instructions on how to submit a direct online payment. Confirmation emails will only be sent from
BLFilmAdministrator@ClarkCountyNV.gov
Yes; state law requires that you register your project with the Nevada Film Office. Registration is free and can be completed online at
NevadaFilm.com.
Depending on the extent of your film permit, you may also need permission from any combination of the following agencies:
- A location agreement from property management/ owner.
- Depending on the scope of your film project, you may also be asked to contact the Federal Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Highway Patrol, the Nevada Film Office, the Fremont Street Experience, the Federal Aviation Administration, Clark County Department of Public Works, Clark County Fire Department, Clark County Department of Parks and Recreation, Harry Reid International Airport, and/or the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Contact information can/ will be provided by the film administrator if necessary for your application.
Completed permit applications must be submitted a minimum of ten (10) calendar days prior to the first day of filming.
This field in the film permit application should be a full detail and description of your film/ photography project. Include as much detail as possible, timeline (set up and tear down), types of filming equipment, any additional equipment, number of persons on location, etc.
This field in the film permit application should be a full detail and description of the type of activities and/or filming to be conducted at each production location.
It depends; after all the necessary documents have been submitted, the processing fee paid, and all other applicable agencies have signed off on your permit application, permits will be sent via email as available. In some cases, we will require additional information from you and a film representative will contact you via phone or email Any missing documentation, or documentation not provided in a timely manner, will delay the process.
It depends; if you are filming inside a building or home and have an agreement with the property owner allowing the filming, you do not need a film permit. the filming moves outside of the residence, a film permit may be required if the public right-of-way is affected (street, sidewalk, parking, etc.), use of additional light and equipment, excessive noise or disturbance to the neighborhood. Additionally, you will be asked to give at least forty-eight (48) hours of notice to the neighborhood prior to start of filming. If asked to obtain a film permit, a copy of your location agreement must also be provided as part of your film permit application.
Yes; even if you have an agreement with the property owner, you will need a film permit. If you are filming in a neighborhood, you will also need to give at least forty-eight (48) hours of notice to the neighborhood. Location agreements must also be provided as part of your film permit application. Other restrictions for filming in a residential area include, but are not limited to, no use of aerial drones, no creation of a “base camp”, prior approval for any lane closures, traffic interruptions, or usage of special effects.
Yes; as you are creating content with the expectation of monetization of the content, a film permit will be required for any situation that meets the standard for filming in unincorporated Clark County.
Yes; if the filming is outside of a the residence or in a residential area you will need a film permit and to give at least forty-eight (48) hours of notice to the neighborhood. A copy of your location agreement must also be provided as part of your film permit application. Other restrictions for filming in a residential area include, but are not limited to, no use of aerial drones, no creation of a “base camp”, prior approval for any lane closures, traffic interruptions, or usage of special effects.
No; however, we do recommend reaching out to the hotel/ resort/ casino for permission to film on location.
You will need to obtain permission from Harry Reid International Airport. Commercial filming and photography projects may complete a Clark County Department of Aviation (CCDOA) Commercial Filming and Photography Application
(available online). Completed CCDOA applications and questions about filming at the airport can be emailed to
AirportFilming@LASAirport.com
Yes; many sidewalks in front of hotels and casinos are private property. In some cases, you may also be required to contact the hotels directly and receive their permission. They include, but are not limited to: Sahara, Resorts World, Encore, Wynn, Treasure Island, the Mirage, Caesar’s Palace, The Palazzo at the Venetian, The Venetian, Harrah’s, The Linq, Flamingo, the Cromwell, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Paris, Planet Hollywood, ARIA, Park MGM, New York – New York, MGM Grand, Excalibur, the Luxor, Mandalay Bay, and the Tropicana.
Yes; you will need a film permit and to provide a location agreement if on/ filming in a private property’s parking lot where the public right-of-way (street, sidewalk, parking structure, etc.) will be affected either through use of additional light and equipment, excessive noise or general disturbance.
Yes; filming is limited to a thirty (30) minute time limit from start to end of filming. Any extended period of time would need approval from Clark County Department of Public Works and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). If more than five (5) people are involved in the project, and depending on the scope of the project, LVMPD may also need to be on-site during the filming.
Yes; you will need prior approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to be able to use an aerial vehicle or drone during filming as part of your application for a film permit. Important note: aerial vehicles and drone usage is not allowable in a residential area.
All film permits should be submitted a minimum of ten (10) calendar days prior to the production start date.
Any time filming occurs on private property, and a film permit is required, a location agreement should be submitted.
No; however, there is no filming on either federal or state recognized holidays.
Based on the activities you plan, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) or the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) will determine whether or not officers will be required on-site during the film event. Nevada Highway Patrol (702) 432-5005 or Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (702) 828-3442.
Yes; depending on the type of lane closure you will need approvals from the Clark County Department of Public Works (CCPW). In addition, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) may need to be on-site to assist with traffic safety. When submitting a request for a lane closure, or intermittent lane closure, please include the following information at a minimum: date, time, length of closure, and which specific roadway(s) to be affected.
- Full Lane Closure: A traffic control plan will need to be submitted to CCPW and you will need to receive approval. An officer request form and approval, as submitted through LVMPD, may also be needed.
- Intermittent Traffic Control: An officer request form will need to be submitted through LVMPD as officers will need to be on-site.
“The Strip" is the nickname of the main section of Las Vegas Blvd. that falls within the jurisdiction of unincorporated Clark County between the streets of Sahara Avenue at the North to Russell Road at the South. Any locations north of Sahara Avenue along Las Vegas Blvd. falls under the jurisdiction of the
city of Las Vegas.
- Map of Las Vegas Blvd./ “The Strip”
Yes, insurance is always required. State law requires that the insurance company must be a “company or an affiliate licensed in the United States and that the amount be shown in U.S. dollars in the amount of $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollars),” and names the following as additional insured: Clark County and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).
- Please use the following addresses in the “Certificate Holder” section:
- Clark County: 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89155
- LVPMD: 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106
Always; hold harmless agreements must be submitted as part of any film permit application and it should be signed by location manager, production manager, or an authorized representative of the production.
No; there are no exemptions or exceptions from the film permit process.
Film permits are issued based on the filming location and its jurisdiction. It is understandable that film companies may be unfamiliar with Las Vegas and may not know which jurisdiction their film location falls in. For example, you might be in one or all of the six (6) different jurisdictions. For additional help, you may contact the
Nevada Film Office and review the
Nevada Production Directory for location services or contact them at (702) 486-2711.