Student Filming

All student productions must obtain a permit in order to gather on city-owned property if you have any of the following needs, and/or if your cast and crew size exceeds six (6) people.

• Special effects – explosions, fire, smoke, haze/fog, or pyrotechnics
• Stunts or any simulated violence weapons or firearms (real or fake)
• Animals
• Street or sidewalk closures – this includes any impediment of pedestrian foot traffic (i.e. locking up your shot so that pedestrians can’t cross frame), running cables across a public space such as a sidewalk/park/square, or staging of equipment on a sidewalk or street. Once approved, this request will require cones or barricades from your school or 3rd party vendor.
• Parking for equipment vehicles – this includes generators
• Intermittent Traffic Control – this requires police (see below for officer rate sheet)
• Locking a Location – this protects students from another event/production booking the same space

To hire an officer, please specify your police needs on your student permit application. Please check the Savannah PD Film Policy for rates.  Additional fees may apply.

• The City of Savannah charges a one-time non-refundable $25 Application Processing Fee per location.
• Additionally, there is a $25 Permit Fee per location for your completed permit. Non-consecutive dates for the same location will be charged an additional $25 permit fee.

For example: If your project wants to film in Location 1: Forsyth Park, and Location 2: Chippewa Square, you will submit two $25 Application Processing Fees, and then once approved, be billed for two $25.00 Permit Fees, totaling $100.00. If your project wants to return to Location 1:Forsyth Park for additional filming, you will be billed for an additional $25.00 Permit Fee.

• All fees are non-refundable except in extraordinary circumstances.  Fees are due prior to the issuance of permits. Payment can be made with check or money order made payable to the City of Savannah.  “Film Permit Fee” should be identified on the “notes” line of the check or money order.

Minimum Limits (per occurrence): $1,000,000

Certificate of Insurance (COI) must be addressed as follows:

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah C/O Susan Broker
P.O. Box 1027, Savannah, GA 31402

*Note: Evidence of Insurance must be submitted before a permit can be effective.

Notification

Your permit requires you to provide notification to the residents and businesses near the location. This must be completed at least 2 business days before the scheduled shoot day(s).

All notification letters should be uploaded using THIS FORM.  And hard copies of this letter must be printed and distributed on YELLOW paper.

Please click here to see a  City of Savannah Example Notification Letter Failure to notify as described in the permit is a violation.

Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services
ATTN: Monica Middleton
P.O. Box 8161
Savannah, GA 31412-8161

If students wish to use a Chatham County park or facility, please check to see if the property is available for your requested dates via the online Chatham County Facilities webpage.

• Non-commercial filming permit 

For beach filming please also fill out:

• Beach permit application

Fill out the Professional & Student Permit Application at least 5 business days prior to the first requested filming date.

If you wish to use Garden City Parks and Rec Locations, please click here to find more information.

Student productions MUST have a hard copy version of their signed permit at all times while on location.

A fee may also be charged for certain services such as police, Internal Traffic Control (ITC), parking, etc.

The City of Bloomingdale requires all productions to submit a permit application at least 10 days before filming.