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Department of Livability & Tourism 200 Meeting Street, Charleston SC 29401 843-805-3225 www.charleston-sc.gov
Updated 5/1/2024
Applications must be submitted 10 business days before the film and photography activity takes places.
Please take a few minutes to review the application before beginning to be sure that you have all of the required information. If you create an account (located on the top right of this page), you will be able to save any incomplete applications and come back to them at a later time. Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Many of the forms and templates needed to complete the application are available as links throughout this application. A description of the proposed activity, a detailed daily schedule, and a site plan are required for all film and photography activities. Other documents that may be required include: General/Automobile/Workers Comp and Employers Liability Insurance, Certificate of Exemption, Neighborhood Notification, Traffic and Transportation Permit and Traffic Control Plan, Engineering Permit, and Location Release Form.
The application fee for a Film and Photography Permit is $25.00 per day. Please review the Special Event Fee Schedule to determine which additional fees may apply to your proposed activity. Information regarding rates and how to hire off-duty officers for Film and Photography activities can be found here.
Please list the location of your activity. One application may list multiple locations but approval of each location is not guaranteed. If you are planning to utilize a park, please select the location in the next box. If you are planning for multiple park locations, select "Other" and list the park names.
Please select a location if your film or photography activity will take place in a City Park. If the location is not listed please select other and you will be given a box to type the location.
You can find a map of city park locations on our website. If you need additional help, please contact the Recreation Department. Park reservations must be made at least three business days in advance.
If other was selected, please type the park location.
Please provide a brief description and purpose of the activity. This should include potential dates and time frames of activities, potential locations, crew size, amount of work and crew vehicles, street or sidewalk closures, and any other related information.
Please indicate the number of anticipated crew and staff members on site.
Please indicate the number of anticipated crew and work vehicles. You will be asked to provide the parking locations of these vehicles below in the Parking Plan field.
Please select all that apply
Please indicate the start time and date and ending time and date of the activity.
Please provide a detailed schedule for the film and photography activities. This should include all days of the production as well as the load in and out, hourly shooting schedule, time frame for street or sidewalk closures, and any other related information.
If needed, a schedule template is provided below.
Please upload your detailed site plan here. Note the location of the base camp, filming locations, entrances/exits, trailers of any kind, parking needs, street or sidewalk closures, catering, and any other related information.
If you need assistance or have questions about the site plan, please contact our Film and Photography Manager at 843-579-6422. Blank site plan samples and examples are below.
Below are downloadable blank PDF site plans to create your activity template site plan. The below files indicate the available access to electricity, water hookups, and more.
General, Automobile, and Workers Comp and Employers liability insurance is required for permitted film and photography activity and shall name the City of Charleston (80 Broad Street Charleston SC 29401) as an additional insured on such general liability insurance policy. The following limits of insurance are required per individual occurrence:
If the event is hosted at Marion Square, the policy shall name The Board of Field Officers of the Forth Brigade (287 Meeting Street Charleston SC 29401) and The City of Charleston (80 Broad Street Charleston SC 29401) as additionally insured. Certificates of insurance (COI) must be submitted to the city for approval at least seven (7) working days before the special event's date.
To qualify for the sales and use tax exemption in South Carolina Code §12-62-30 on funds expended in South Carolina in connection with the filming or production of motion pictures in South Carolina, a motion picture production company must meet the following criteria:
1. The company must be a “motion picture production company” as defined in South Carolina Code §12-62-20(4). It is a company engaged in the business of producing motion pictures intended for a national theatrical release or for television viewing. It is not a company owned, affiliated, or controlled, in whole or in part, by a company or person that is in default on a loan made by the State or a loan guaranteed by the State.
A “motion picture” is defined in South Carolina Code §12-62-20(3) as a feature-length film, video, television series, or commercial made in whole or in part in South Carolina, and intended for national theatrical or television viewing or as a television pilot produced by a motion picture production company. It does not include the production of television coverage of news and athletic April 2019 Chapter 19, Page 2 events or a production produced by a motion picture production company if records, as required by 18 U.S.C. § 2257, are to be maintained by that motion picture production company with respect to any performer portrayed in that single media or multimedia program.
2. The company must intend to spend $250,000 or more in the aggregate in connection with the filming or production of one or more motion pictures in South Carolina within a consecutive 12-month period.
3. The company must complete an application and obtain approval as a certified motion picture production company from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. An estimate of the total expenditures expected to be made in South Carolina in connection with the filming or production must be filed with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism before South Carolina filming begins.
The application and certification procedures can be obtained from the South Carolina Film Commission at the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at 803-737-0490. There is no application fee.
Applicant are required to draft a Neighborhood Notification Letter. This letter should include information concerning the location and duration of the film and/or photography activities, as well as specifics regarding lights, noise, traffic, and parking, and the contact phone number for the location manager and designated on site contact. Maps and other pertinent information may be included as well. See below for a sample neighborhood notification letter.
A Street Blocking Permit Application is required for any film and/or photography activities that requests temporary blocking or closure of public streets and the temporary use of public metered and non-metered parking spaces. A traffic control plan is required for all street blocking and temporary traffic control requests.
The closure of a street and traffic control must be handled by off-duty police officers hired by the applicant through the City of Charleston. The City retains the right to determine the number of officers needed.
Street closures during business and rush hours are strongly discouraged, especially in the commercial areas. Requests for street closures or diverting of traffic should be made well in advance to allow for planning of alternate routes and proper signage.
Please contact the Traffic and Transportation Department with any questions at 843-724-7378.
Link to Street Blocking Permit.
Please complete the Street Blocking Permit request and upload a copy here. Hand-drawn traffic control plans will not be accepted. If you need assistance, please contact the Film and Photography Manager at 843-579-6422.
A Traffic Control Plan (TCP) is required for any requests that include street blocking or traffic control requests. Please upload a map showing the details of the traffic control and street blocking needs for the production. The TCP should include traffic flow detours, barricades, meter bags, signage, crew, talent, and police. Please note that hand-drawn traffic control plans will not be accepted.
If yes, the applicant must provide a signed letter of notification to all impacted parties before the film and photography permit will be issued.
Please provide a detailed parking plan. Applicants should utilize no more than 20% of the on-street parking for crew, equipment, or support vehicles in any linear block containing businesses or residences.
Each film and photography activity will be reviewed for safety and security concerns and will be required to provide adequate security and/or safety personnel as directed by the City of Charleston Police and Fire Departments.
Any activity that requires off-duty police will request and hire officers through the Extra Duty Solutions website. Extra Duty Solutions is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns by phone or email.
Phone: 843-226-7167 Email: charlestonsc@extradutysolutions.com
Each film and photography activity requires submitting 24-hour emergency contact information for the production.
Will first aid staffing/equipment be provided during the proposed activity?
An Engineering Permit Application is required for any film and/or photography activities that partially or completely obstruct the public right of way (sidewalk). For complete obstruction applicants are required to submit a Pedestrian Detour Plan.
Sidewalk closures during business hours are strongly discouraged, especially in the commercial areas. Requests for sidewalk closures should be made well in advance to allow for planning of alternate routes and proper signage.
Link to Engineering Permit Application.
Link to the Pedestrian Detour Plan sample.
If these other event details do not apply to your production activity please move to the next section.
If the event will have fireworks or any material that is flammable or hazardous, please describe the material, size/amount and usage.
Number, Type, Size, Square Footage and Location. Your site plan must indicate this information.
You've indicated you will need electricity for your event. Please ensure that you have identified the location of the event's electrical needs on your site plan. Briefly describe your needs here. Please note that electricity is not available in all locations.
Please note that permits may be required for stages and bleachers. Call the City of Charleston Building Inspections Division for information 843-973-7257. Your site plan must indicate this information.
Number, size, material, and location. Your site plan must indicate this information.
Please note that permits are required for some tents/canopies based on size and configuration. Call the City of Charleston Fire Marshal Division at 843-724-3429 for information. Your site plan must indicate this information.
Please describe type of amplified sound or music including start and finish times. Amplified sound and/or music must stop at 11 pm or at a time deemed appropriate by the Special Events Committee. Amplified sound and/or music is prohibited in Hampton Park, Waterfront Park and White Point Garden.
Please provide total number of portable restroom facilities and number of ADA accessible facilities. ADA Standards require that at least five percent of portable toilet units must be accessible.
If you are not planning to provide portable restrooms for your event please explain why.
Explain your detailed trash/recycling and cleanup plan for the activity. Note that all trash must be removed at the conclusion of the activity.
Beginning January 1, 2020, operations (including vendors) throughout Charleston city limits will be required to eliminate use of single-use plastic carryout and merchandise bags, as well as certain plastic carryout and food packaging items, such as foam containers and plastic straws and stirrers. The regulations apply to all events in City limits, on both public and private property. Please visit the City's Sustainability page to learn more about this ordinance.
Single-use plastic regulations are in effect. Every event hosted within the City of Charleston is expected to be sustainable and follow the single-use plastic regulations.
Please refer to the Sustainable Event Guide to learn how to make your event more sustainable.
The City of Charleston cannot guarantee that a production may be rescheduled once cancelled for any reason.
I agree that this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and that I have read and agree to be held to all information in the Film and Photography Guidelines.
Applicant agrees as follows:
The Applicant shall be liable for, indemnify, defend and hold the City of Charleston (“City”), its officers, agents, servants, representatives, employees, attorneys, consultants and independent contractors (collectively referred to as the (“Indemnitees”) harmless from any and all liabilities, suits, obligations, fines, damages, penalties, claims, charges and expenses (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and disbursements) (“Damages”) that may be imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against any of the Indemnitees arising out of or related to, whether directly or indirectly, from the acts or neglect of the Applicant, its officers, agents, employees, or members, participants, guests, invitees, or persons under the control of the applicant whether or not such damages are due to the negligence of the City or otherwise; provided, however, that the foregoing liability and indemnity obligation shall not apply to any Damages to the extent arising out of any willful misconduct or gross negligence of the City, its officers, employees, servants, agents, attorneys, consultants or independent contractors. Further, the Applicant acknowledges that a condition of the City’s approval of this application is that the City assumes no liability for liabilities, suits, obligations, fines, damages, penalties, claims, costs, charges and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursement) to either persons or property on account of the same, except as expressly provided herein.
The Applicant shall forever release and discharge the City, its officers, agents, servants, representatives or employees from any and all claims, demands, rights of action or causes of action, present or future, whether same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from the Applicant’s event as well as the presence of the Applicant’s agents, representatives, invitees, servants, employees or independent contractors during the Applicant’s event.
The Applicant, as well as its successors, shall forever refrain from instituting, prosecuting or maintaining any action, suit or proceeding, at law or otherwise against the City, its agents, servants, representatives, or employees based upon any injuries which it may suffer, including death or damages, both personal or to property, whether same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from the Applicant’s event, as well as the presence of the Applicant’s agents, representatives, invitees, servants, employees or independent contractors during the Applicant’s event.
Where an event occurs on the grounds of Marion Square, the Applicant expressly agrees to the terms above outlined as it relates to the City, its officers, agents, servants, representatives, employees, attorneys, consultants, independent contractors, but also for The Board of Field Officers of the Fourth Brigade, its officers, agents, servants, representatives, employees, attorneys, consultants, and independent contractors.
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