You will need a city permit to block off parking meters, sidewalks and/or streets. You do not need a Film Permit to Shoot a Film in Austin, but consult the Austin Film Commission for further resources. For specialized permits see City of Austin.
Allow up to three (3) days from the time you turn in THE APPLICATION to Nan Brown (512) 974-7143 and FAX (512) 974 5673 until she sends you an email with your PROJECT ID NUMBER.
The City has waived all costs for Film Permits in Austin.
There are 3 steps involved in optaining a Film Permit. You may want to cascade windows while filing out the information on the City of Austin Permit Website.
1. THE FORM
You will need tocreate a user name and password . Fill out the FORM on this screen and click Create My Account which takes you to where you click login (scroll down to the bottom of the screen to see) and on the next screen enter the new user name and password, then fill out the information for each step.
FYI: You will need to identify:
The east-west block(s) and north-south block(s) for the location.
If you are blocking parking meters, you will need to know the parking meter numbers. They are on the meters themselves and are logically numbered. For the 200 block, north side, all numbers are even numbers in the 200's. For most shooting schedules you will want to blcok off from midnight before to midnight after the shoot.
The FORM may ask you for CIP #, General Permit # and Site Plan #. This does not pertain to film.
The FORM may ask you to identify your project as "Commercial," "Mobile," and/or "Student."These have been defined as follows:
"Student" is if it's a student project.
"Mobile" is if there is any movement (camera, crew, actors, action) during shooting on the street or sidewalk.
"Commercial" is to allow parking on the street for cast, crew and equipment vehicles
2. THE APPLICATION:
After completing the FORM,you will need to print the 10-page APPLICATION entitled Application and Information for Occupancy of Streets for Purposes other than Construction (Filming Closures). You will need to fill out page 7 of the APPLICATION with the Property Owner/Representative and then deliver it to Nan Brown, 505 Barton Springs Road, Suite 1100.
NOTE: ALL FEES HAVE BEEN WAIVED.
MAKE SEVERAL COPIES OF Pages 7 and 8 of the APPLICATION. The pages are not numbered, but page 7 is a form which you and the property owner/representative are to fill out. Page 8 is a letter to the property owner/representative explaining city requirements. (See next paragraph.)
When you go to see the property owner/representative with property that is contiguous with the closures, have the following with you:
Page 8 and two copies of page 7 (the Proposed Filming Permit - One copy of page 7 is for them to keep and one is for you to turn in to Nan Brown (512) 974-7143 and FAX (512) 974-5673),
a map of the location either a map such as Mapsco or an online map. Google maps pinpoint addresses well,
a certificate of insurance with the named property owner or business as insured (which can be faxed directly from the insurance company or you can deliver to them before they sign or after if necessary),
and Nan Brown's number just in case: Phone (512) 974-7143 and FAX: (512) 974-5673.
Once you have THE APPLICATION filled out, deliver it to Nan Brown, 505 Barton Springs Road, Suite 1100. Be sure that the certificate of insurance naming the City of Austin as insured for general liability of $500,000 is faxed to her also. FAX: (512) 974-5673.
If you're blocking off streets, (sign off's, street use, street closure) Nan Brown will instruct you to call APD, Special Events Unit (512) 974-5032. There are 2 officers assigned to this department. There is no fee or paperwork to be filled out for APD. (For parking meter closures you do not need to contact this department.)
3. THE PERMIT
THE PROJECT ID NUMBER will be emailed to you about 3 days after you delivere THE APPLICATION and CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE to Nan Brown. In the email is a hyperlink or you can click here and scroll down to the bottom to log in and check status. This will direct you to a screen with your location address. Click on it, and the permit will appear when confirmed. Print several copies of the PERMIT to present to owners or representatives of property involved in the closure.
If you're blocking off parking meters you will need to either print many copies of the PERMIT, one for each meter or have Nan Brown or her authorized staff sign off on the Authorized Parking Permit found on page 9 of the Application. Tape one to each parking meter and put a clear (or nearly clear) plastic bag over it. The HEB shopping bags will work. They fit snuggly over the 2-fer's. Take masking tape with you
