In Nevada, film permits are issued at the local government level and each jurisdiction has its own permit application and process. Permitting contacts can be found here.
PERMIT INFORMATION
The larger cities and counties in southern and northern Nevada typically require a film permit application, $1 million in general liability insurance and a signed hold harmless agreement. The permit processing time is around 10 days for city and county areas, but can be longer for federal areas such as the Bureau of Land Management or parks so be sure to plan accordingly.
Some rural areas do not have a formal permit process, but require notification of your filming activity to the sheriff’s or city/county manager’s office for approval before production begins.
Generally, filming on private property does not require a film permit, only the permission of the property owner. There are certain exceptions, including filming in residential areas within the jurisdiction of the City of Las Vegas, when filming on private areas encroaches on public areas, or when certain special effects are used, such as pyrotechnics or prop weapons. Please contact our office for any questions about when film permits are needed.
PERMIT FEES
Permitting fees vary by location and are free in some areas. In southern Nevada, City of Las Vegas film permits are free and Clark County permits are $45. Clark County and City of Las Vegas permitting offices are both closed on Fridays. To determine the correct jurisdiction for addresses in Clark County, use the Jurisdiction Locator.
Fees for roads and highways, wilderness and recreation areas, state parks and similar locations are based on the size of the crew, number of vehicles, type of use intended, and expected impact.
If your project requires extra considerations such as lane closures, traffic control, or special effects, support and permission from police and fire departments may be required for additional fees.
Filming in
The Strip
Las Vegas Boulevard, or “The Strip,” is divided into two jurisdictions, with Clark County permitting the area south of Sahara Avenue and the City of Las Vegas permitting the area to the north. The famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign is permitted through Clark County.
Many sidewalks along the resort corridor are the private property of the casinos they border. In most cases, permission from the casino is required to film on the sidewalks adjoining their properties.
Working With Casinos
As casinos are private property, film permits are not typically required but permission from the casino needs to be obtained. While popular for filming requests, the mega resorts along the Strip can be selective about the projects they allow to film on property. Considerations like impact to revenue, implications of the storyline and the target audience of your production will be evaluated in the decision-making process.
Off-strip casinos in southern Nevada as well as the major casinos in the Reno area can be more accommodating to filmmakers, depending on the project.
Filming in Parks
The first priority of Nevada’s federal and state parks is to preserve the land and make it available to the public that visit them annually. There can be limitations on where and when productions can film, as well as the content of the shoot. Filming is usually prohibited on weekends and holidays. Permit processing times are lengthy, sometimes requiring 30 days or more.
Filming on Federal Lands
Did you know that over 80% of Nevada’s land is owned by the federal government? The Bureau of Land Management controls most of the state’s desert landscape. Film permits are issued regionally by local field offices and turn-around times can vary, with most permits taking 30 days or more to process.
Permitting Roads
Filming on Nevada’s scenic highways requires a permit from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and may require a Right-of-Way Temporary Use Agreement. The Temporary Use Agreement can take 4-6 weeks to process, but NDOT and the Right-of-Way department can help you determine whether it would be required.
Working with Casino Properties
Working with State & Federal Parks
PERMITTING CONTACTS
For additional details, please contact the jurisdiction directly. Film Nevada can help you determine the appropriate permitting office for filming locations.
Municipalities
SOUTHERN NEVADA
Boulder City
(702) 293-9256
Fremont Street Experience
(702) 678-5600
Las Vegas, City of
(702) 229-4904
Mesquite City Hall
(702) 346-2835 ext. 3305
Clark County Film Permit
(702) 455-3933
Henderson Police Department / Special Events & Permitting
(702) 229-4904
Laughlin, Town Manager
(702) 298-0828
North Las Vegas
(702) 633-1520
Clark County Film Permits
NORTHERN NEVADA
City of Reno
(775) 326-6697
Washoe County
(775) 328-3733
Douglas County
(775) 782-6217
City of Sparks
(775) 353-2298
FEDERAL, U.S.
SOUTHERN NEVADA
Las Vegas Bureau
of Land Management
(702) 515-5000
Jean Dry Lake
(702) 515-5189
Hoover Dam
(702) 494-2267
Red Rock Conservation Area
(702) 515-5350
Lake Mead National
Recreation Area
(702) 293-8931
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
US Forest Service
(702) 515-5444
NORTHERN NEVADA
Black Rock Desert/Bureau of Land Management
(775) 623-1770
Bureau of Land Management
Carson City
(775) 885-6000
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
United States Forest Service
(775) 352-1241
(775) 352-1252
STATE PARKS
Spring Mountain Ranch
(702) 875-4141
Valley of Fire State Park
(702) 397-2088
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
(775) 831-0494
