Photo and film permits · Georgia and the Southeast

Do you need a permit to shoot here?

Permit rules are scattered across hundreds of city and park pages. This guide puts 75 parks, gardens, cities and state lands in one place: whether a permit is required, what it costs, how far ahead to apply, and whether insurance is needed. Every listing links the official source.

75 places
Permit required for both

Dawsonville, GA · state park

Amicalola Falls State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Rules not published

Lithonia, GA · state park

Arabia Mountain

PhotoUnclear
FilmUnclear

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Athens, GA · city park

Athens-Clarke County parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Depends on the shoot

Atlanta, GA · city park

Atlanta BeltLine

PhotoDepends
FilmPermit needed

—No set amount listed

Fees in the BeltLine Film and Photography Policy (not listed on the page) · not confirmed

Lead time
10 business days
Permit required for both

Atlanta, GA · garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$500starting fee

$500 for up to 10 people, 2 hours

Lead time
Book and pay 2 weeks ahead
Permit required for both

Atlanta, GA · city park

Atlanta city parks (Parks and Recreation)

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
Staff reply within 14 days of a park permit application
Permit required

Atlanta, GA · historic site

Atlanta History Center and Swan House

PhotoPermit needed
FilmUnclear

$750starting fee

$750 for 2 hours

Lead time
At least 2 weeks, up to 8 weeks ahead
Permit required

Augusta, GA · city park

Augusta public property and Riverwalk

PhotoUnclear
FilmPermit needed

$50starting fee

Varies by entity; staff at $50 per hour, 3-hour minimum

Lead time
At least 15 business days (Film Augusta)
Permit required for both

Alpharetta, GA · venue

Avalon

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$25starting fee

$25 donation for personal shoots

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Savannah, GA · historic site

Bonaventure Cemetery

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—No set amount listed

Fee set by Mayor and Aldermen (amount not listed) · not confirmed

Lead time
At least 1 week
Rules not published

Atlanta, GA · historic site

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

PhotoUnclear
FilmUnclear

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Depends on the shootFree option

Atlanta area, GA · national park

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

PhotoDepends
FilmDepends

Freefor small crews

Free for small crews; fees when a permit is needed

Lead time
Contact the park early if you need a permit
Permit required

Alpharetta, GA · city park

City of Alpharetta

PhotoUnclear
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 film permit · not confirmed

Lead time
Up to 5 days review; 5 to 10 more if a committee meeting is needed
Permit required

Decatur, GA · city park

City of Decatur

PhotoUnclear
FilmPermit needed

$250starting fee

$250 application fee plus $250 per filming day

Lead time
96 business hours to avoid rush
Permit required for both

Marietta, GA · city park

City of Marietta parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$25starting fee

$25 processing plus $100 low impact or $200 high impact review

Lead time
At least 5 business days
Permit required for both

Rising Fawn, GA · state park

Cloudland Canyon State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Rules not published

Cobb County, GA · city park

Cobb County parks

PhotoUnclear
FilmUnclear

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Depends on the shoot

Columbus, GA · city park

Columbus parks and Riverwalk

PhotoDepends
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
5 days; 30 days if a street closes
Depends on the shootFree option

St. Marys, GA · national park

Cumberland Island National Seashore

PhotoDepends
FilmDepends

Freefor small crews

Free for small crews; fees when a permit is needed

Lead time
Not published
Permit required

DeKalb County, GA · city park

DeKalb County parks

PhotoUnclear
FilmPermit needed

$100starting fee

$100 application plus $200 per month per location

Lead time
5 business days to avoid rush
Permit required for both

Pine Mountain, GA · state park

F.D. Roosevelt State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Permit required for both

Chatsworth, GA · state park

Fort Mountain State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Depends on the shootFree option

Savannah, GA · national park

Fort Pulaski National Monument

PhotoDepends
FilmDepends

Freefor small crews

Free for small crews; fees when a permit is needed

Lead time
Wedding permits: 30 days ahead
Depends on the shootFree option

Statewide, GA · venue

Georgia Film Office

PhotoNo permit
FilmDepends

—No set amount listed

None from the state

Lead time
n/a
Permit required for both

Statewide, GA · state park

Georgia State Parks (all parks and historic sites)

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Permit required for both

Atlanta, GA · university

Georgia Tech campus

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$100starting fee

$100 nonrefundable scout fee for outside groups

Lead time
10 business days small shoots; about 6 weeks for major productions
Pro shoots not allowed

Ball Ground, GA · garden

Gibbs Gardens

PhotoNot allowed
FilmUnclear

—No set amount listed

Not available

Lead time
n/a
Permit required for both

Gwinnett County, GA · city park

Gwinnett County parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$100starting fee

$100 per day stills; $200 per day film

Lead time
Staff reply within 2 business days
Permit required for both

Jekyll Island, GA · state park

Jekyll Island

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—No set amount listed

Varies by scope, season and impact · not confirmed

Lead time
Water work needs a DNR permit that can take 30 days
Permit required for both

Atlanta, GA · historic site

Oakland Cemetery

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—No set amount listed

Unknown for outdoor work · not confirmed

Lead time
Schedule and site plan at least 7 days ahead
Depends on the shootFree option

Macon, GA · national park

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

PhotoDepends
FilmDepends

Freefor small crews

Free for small crews; fees when a permit is needed

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Stockbridge, GA · state park

Panola Mountain State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Permit required for both

Atlanta, GA · city park

Piedmont Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Lumpkin, GA · state park

Providence Canyon State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Permit required for both

Sandy Springs, GA · city park

Sandy Springs city parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$50starting fee

$50 up to 2 hours; $100 full day (commercial stills)

Lead time
5 business days for photo; 5 business days for film
Depends on the shoot

Savannah, GA · city park

Savannah squares and Forsyth Park

PhotoDepends
FilmPermit needed

$325starting fee

$325 per location (professional); $30 student

Lead time
At least 7 business days before prep work
Permit required for both

Stone Mountain, GA · state park

Stone Mountain Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Lithia Springs, GA · state park

Sweetwater Creek State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Permit required for both

Tallulah Falls, GA · state park

Tallulah Gorge State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Permit required for both

Tybee Island, GA · city park

Tybee Island

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$100starting fee

$100 review fee plus $250 (under 25 crew) for commercial photography

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Blairsville, GA · state park

Vogel State Park

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 processing fee plus a location fee set by the size and scope of the project

Lead time
10 business days minimum
Permit required for both

Savannah, GA · historic site

Wormsloe State Historic Site

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$25starting fee

$25 per photographer or videographer at a booked wedding

Lead time
10 business days for commercial shoots
Depends on the shoot

Statewide, AL · state park

Alabama State Parks (ADCNR)

PhotoDepends
FilmPermit needed

—No set amount listed

Case by case · not confirmed

Lead time
At least 30 days
Rules not publishedFree option

Birmingham, AL · garden

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

PhotoNo permit
FilmUnclear

Freefor small crews

Free

Lead time
n/a
Permit required

Montgomery, AL · city park

City of Montgomery

PhotoUnclear
FilmPermit needed

—No set amount listed

No special filming fee · not confirmed

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Huntsville, AL · garden

Huntsville Botanical Garden

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$150starting fee

$150 for 2 hours

Lead time
No reservation needed
Permit required for both

Statewide, FL · state park

Florida State Parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$75starting fee

$75 per day stills; video at market rate

Lead time
Not published
Photos free · film needs a permit

Orlando, FL · garden

Harry P. Leu Gardens

PhotoNo permit
FilmPermit needed

—No set amount listed

Unknown for commercial · not confirmed

Lead time
Not published
Rules not published

Tallahassee, FL · city park

Tallahassee city parks

PhotoUnclear
FilmUnclear

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Asheville, NC · city park

Asheville city parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$100starting fee

$100 application (Level 1) plus property fees

Lead time
Invitation-only process; start early
Permit required for both

Asheville, NC · historic site

Biltmore Estate

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Depends on the shootFree option

Asheville, NC · national park

Blue Ridge Parkway

PhotoDepends
FilmDepends

Freefor small crews

Free for small crews; fees when a permit is needed

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Charlotte, NC · city park

Mecklenburg County parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Depends on the shootFree option

Asheville, NC · garden

North Carolina Arboretum

PhotoNo permit
FilmDepends

Freefor small crews

Free for portrait sessions

Lead time
n/a
Permit required for both

Statewide, NC · state park

North Carolina State Parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$35starting fee

Staff time $35 per hour plus lost revenue and repairs

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Raleigh, NC · city park

Raleigh city parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$100starting fee

$100 per year (covers all city parks)

Lead time
2 weeks to 30 days for street filming
Permit required for both

Durham, NC · garden

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$100starting fee

$100 to $300 by group size and time

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Charleston, SC · city park

Charleston city parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$25starting fee

$25 per day film and photo permit plus a park reservation fee

Lead time
10 business days (low impact), 15 (high impact)
Rules not published

Columbia, SC · city park

Columbia city parks

PhotoUnclear
FilmUnclear

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Permit required

Greenville, SC · city park

Falls Park on the Reedy

PhotoPermit needed
FilmUnclear

$25starting fee

$25 weekday, $50 weekend (2 hours)

Lead time
Reserve online
Permit required

Charleston, SC · garden

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

PhotoPermit needed
FilmUnclear

$250starting fee

$250 photo shoot package

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Charleston, SC · historic site

Middleton Place

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$250starting fee

From $250

Lead time
1 week
Permit required for both

Columbia, SC · garden

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$1,000starting fee

$1,000 first 2 hours (commercial); $150 bridal portraits

Lead time
50% deposit 3 weeks ahead
Permit required

Statewide, SC · state park

South Carolina State Parks

PhotoUnclear
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Nashville, TN · garden

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$450starting fee

$450 members, $550 non-members

Lead time
At least 72 hours
Depends on the shootFree option

Gatlinburg, TN · national park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

PhotoDepends
FilmDepends

Freefor small crews

Free for small crews; fees when a permit is needed

Lead time
Wedding permits needed for weddings
Permit required for both

Nashville, TN · city park

Nashville Metro Parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$125starting fee

$125 per day (county) or $150 (out of county)

Lead time
Not published
Permit required

Statewide, TN · state park

Tennessee State Parks

PhotoUnclear
FilmPermit needed

—Fee not published

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Nashville, TN · historic site

The Parthenon (Centennial Park)

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$1,800starting fee

$1,800 per 6-hour session (commercial)

Lead time
Not published
Permit required for both

Nashville, TN · city park

Warner Parks

PhotoPermit needed
FilmPermit needed

$200starting fee

$200 per hour, 2-hour minimum (film and video)

Lead time
Not published
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