Filming Application & Guidelines

The City Manager has delegated the authority to oversee and administer the filming application and approval process to the Director of the Communication and Legislative Affairs (CLA) Department and their designees. Prior to engaging in filming activities involving any of the following uses of City property or personnel, a person must file an application with and receive approval from the City. The City has exclusive authority to approve the use of any street, right-of-way, park, public building, equipment, City staff, or the City’s name, trademarks, or logos for commercial uses associated with a film project and related activities, including regulation of the hours of production and the general location of the film project. In conjunction with these uses, the City may require that any or all of the conditions and/or remuneration specified herein and on the application be met as a prerequisite to that use. The City may also require a security or damage deposit.

The City reserves the full and absolute right to deny an application, prohibit all filming, or order the cessation of filming activity if the City determines such action will protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public or property within the City.

The City does not and shall not own any rights or claim to the film project or content produced or created on City property, except the City maintains its exclusive copyright to any trademarks, symbols, logos, images, or likeness of the City of Arlington, Texas.

The Applicant shall allow City departments (e.g., Police, Fire, Public Works, Planning and Development Services) to inspect all structures, property, devices, and equipment to be used in connection with the film project.

Before filing an application, an Applicant must contact the City’s Communication and Legislative Affairs Department at film@arlingtontx.gov to discuss the film project’s specific filming requirements and the feasibility of filming within the City.

Prior to the commencement of filming or any substantial activity related to the film project, an Applicant must complete and return to the City their application, a signed Commercial Filming Liability Waiver, a Certificate of Insurance, a signed Facilities Use Agreement, if applicable, and any additional documents or forms required by the City. As part of the application process, the City may impose any conditions that it reasonably determines are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public or property within the City, including but not limited to a condition that City staff and/or City equipment from specified departments, such as Police, Fire, or Public Works, be present for any activity related to the film project.

Request must be submitted at least 10 business days before principal day of filming. Within fifteen (15) days of receiving a fully and technically complete application, the City will render a decision and send notice to the Applicant that the application is either: (1) approved, (2) approved with conditions, or (3) denied. Submitted applications that are not fully and technically complete may result in the City’s review and rendering a decision on the application being delayed.

If the City requests additional information from Applicant, Applicant has ten (10) days to provide the requested information. Failure to provide additional information within this timeframe may result in an application denial. 

If approved, Applicants are required to have on their person or virtual access to their Notice of Approval letter for the duration of the film project.

In addition to an approved application under these Guidelines, certain aspects of a film project may require applicants to obtain a permit, approval, authorization, or other permission from additional City departments under the City’s Code of Ordinances or other rules and policies, including but not limited to the following:

• Filming on City-owned property requires the approval or permission from the City department(s) responsible for or otherwise in control of such property.
• Closing or barricading a street, sidewalk, or right-of-way requires a Temporary Traffic Control Permit issued by the Public Works Department, which may also require submission of a traffic control plan and notification of residents and businesses along a proposed street closure. Streets & Sidewalks Chapter § 2.01 and Work Area Traffic Control Manual § 2.1(A) (available online)
• Filming in a City Park requires a Photography/Filming Permit issued by the Parks & Recreation Department. Parks & Recreation Chapter §§ 6.04(5) & 7.01(A)(4).
• Filming that involves pyrotechnics or flame effects will require a permit issued by the Fire Prevention Division of the Fire Department. Fire Prevention Chapter § 1.03, adopting IFC § 5610.6, as amended.
• Use of the City’s name, logos, trademarks, or other intellectual property requires the City Manager's or their designee's approval, including approval pursuant to Flag & Logo Chapter Article 5 and other applicable internal processes.

Most permitting and approval requirements can be found in the City’s Code of Ordinances.

While the City's Application for Commercial Filming is free, please note that some permits require the payment of associated fees.

If an application for a film project is approved, the Applicant shall pay for all costs of any City staff and/or City equipment from specified departments, such as Police, Fire, or Public Works, that the City requires to be present for any activity related to the film project (whether or not specifically requested by the Applicant). Remuneration rates for using any City equipment, including police vehicles and fire equipment, will be established on a case-by-case basis as determined by the City. The Applicant shall pay all costs in full within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice from the City or as otherwise required by law. In addition, the City may, at its discretion, require an advance deposit for all costs related to the use of City staff and/or City equipment. Applicant must provide receipts of all paid deposits to the Office of CLA upon request. 

At any point during the filming process, the City may impose any additional conditions that it reasonably determines are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public or property within the City, including but not limited to a condition that City staff and/or City equipment from specified departments, such as Police, Fire, or Public Works, be present for any activity related to the film project. Any associated costs shall be the sole responsibility of the Applicant.

Police officers can be hired for off-duty or extra-duty employment by calling the Arlington Police Department at 817-459-5733. Firefighters can be hired by calling Arlington Fire Department at 817-459-5500. The Applicant shall pay hired police officers and firefighters at no less than one and one-half times their hourly rate.

The Arlington Police and Fire Departments have a distinct corporate brand for which the departments must carefully manage their image and representation. In addition, the City of Arlington’s logo is trademarked, and it is in the City’s authority to uphold and protect its brand, logos, imagery, and symbols. For these reasons, the Applicant shall not, for the purpose of the film project for commercial use, film firefighters or police officers in uniform without City approval. 

If an application for a film project is approved, the Applicant shall pay for all costs related to using any City-owned property. The Applicant shall pay all fees in full within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice from the City or as otherwise required by law. The City may, at its discretion, require an advance deposit for all costs related to the use of City-owned property. Applicant must provide receipts of all paid deposits to the Office of CLA upon request. 

Three major stadiums are located within the City: Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium, which are leased and operated by the Texas Rangers, and AT&T Stadium, which is leased and operated by the Dallas Cowboys. Applicants should contact the Texas Rangers or Dallas Cowboys, as appropriate, about filming on the grounds of or inside the facilities they lease and operate.

As part of the application process, the Applicant shall provide the City with a report listing the number of vehicles and types of equipment to be used during the filming, including proposed hours of use and parking locations. All parking locations for vehicles involved in the film project, including on-street parking or use of public parking lots, are subject to City approval. All vehicles, including equipment, must be registered and insured as required by law. The City is not liable for damage to any vehicles or equipment utilized during the film, nor is the City liable for any damage or injury caused by Applicant’s vehicles or equipment to any third party. 

The use of exterior lighting, power generators, or any other noise or light-producing equipment is subject to an on-site inspection and approval by the City.

A Commercial Filming Application is required for commercial drone videography or photography in the Arlington, Texas city limits. All Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) procedures, polices, and guidelines apply. Within the application, submit copies of Commercial Drone Pilot License, Certificate of Registration, Insurance AND Confirmation of FAA Airspace Approval.

Controlled Airspace Drone Operation

In general, filming may only occur during the following hours:

Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

However, the City may impose more restrictive hours for filming or extend the hours if the Applicant has obtained express written permission from the City and has notified all affected property owners, tenants, and residents.

Upon submission and review of an application for a film project that is proposed to occur on both City property and private property, the City may determine that the Applicant must contact owners, tenants, and residents of each property in an affected neighborhood in or adjacent to the filming locations. At the City’s request, the Applicant, or their designee, shall notify each owner, tenant, and resident of all such property and provide a short, written description of the proposed film project along with the filming schedule. The Applicant shall also provide each owner, tenant, and resident a Notice of Film Project and Comment Form and allow the owner, tenant, or resident to provide commentary. The form includes the owner, tenant, or resident’s name, address, phone number, and any comment, along with their signature.

The Applicant must notify all owners, tenants, or residents in an affected film project neighborhood and provide the City with the completed forms within ten (10) days of being informed by the City to provide the Notice of Film Project and Comment Form.

The Applicant shall submit all completed Notice of Film Project and Comment Forms to the City before a final application decision can be rendered. Based upon this community feedback and other appropriate factors considered by the City, the City may grant or deny the filming application.

The Applicant is responsible for all incidents that arise out of or related to the film project and must carry an insurance policy in the event of film project incidents. The Applicant shall attach a valid certificate of insurance issued by a company authorized to conduct business in the state of Texas, naming the City of Arlington, Texas (101 W Abram Street Arlington, Texas 76010)and its agents, officers, elected officials, employees, and assigns, as additional insured, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 general liability, including bodily injury and property damage,  and automobile liability (if applicable) in an amount not less than $1,000,000 including bodily injury and property damage. In addition, the Applicant may be required to obtain Worker’s Compensation insurance and/or an Umbrella policy. Upon review of the application, the City, in its sole discretion, may require the Applicant to obtain additional insurance policies or increased policy amounts based on the complexity or high-liability risks associated with the film project.  Additionally, the City may require any and all cast, crew, and film volunteers not formally employed by the Applicant to sign a waiver of liability depending on their role and involvement in the film project. 

At the conclusion of the film project, the Applicant shall restore the property to its original or better condition before the start of production, e.g., cleaning up any trash/discarded materials, repositioning the property back to its original location, and removing any signage or other filming materials.