Inside the Palm Beach Film Permit Process

Palm Beach offers an unmistakable setting for commercial photography and video production, and securing permission to film there is absolutely possible with thoughtful planning and a flexible approach. Through our work on multiple productions in Palm Beach and the surrounding South Florida area, SPLASH Productions has developed a practical understanding of the local permitting process, locations, crews, and logistical considerations. That experience makes it easier to anticipate potential concerns and adapt production plans quickly.

For a recent commercial photography production, SPLASH Productions coordinated the Town of Palm Beach film permit process for a well-known retail brand shooting near the Worth Avenue Clock Tower. The permit was approved with several adjustments that allowed the production to capture the location while maintaining the small footprint preferred by the Town.

This process applies specifically to the Town of Palm Beach, which handles its own filming permits separately from the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission. For broader information about locations and production logistics, read our guide to filming on Palm Beach Island.

By Emily Thorsen, Creative Director and Producer at SPLASH Productions | August 2026

Palm Beach filming permit applicants should plan to attend the Town Council meeting virtually and be available to answer questions. Meetings are typically all-day events, so monitor the agenda and use the “raise hand” function when your item is called.

The Permit Application

The shoot was primarily still photography with limited video B-roll. For permitting purposes, however, the Town considers commercial photography a form of filming. Because commercial filming is allowed only in commercial districts and is prohibited in residential districts, our application included one public location: the Worth Avenue Clock Tower, its adjacent pink wall, and the beachfront.

The original production plan included 35 cast and crew members, a full production day, multiple vehicles, a motorhome, and space for wardrobe changes and craft services. As with any Palm Beach production, we approached the application knowing the Town could request changes. Remaining flexible was important because capturing this specific location mattered more than preserving every element of the original production plan.

Start the Permit Process Early

The Town of Palm Beach requires film permit applications to be submitted at least 20 business days before the Town Council meeting at which they will be considered. Because the Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month, this requirement can add considerable lead time to a Florida production schedule. Starting early also gives the Town’s departments time to review the application and request additional information. Applications require Town Council approval, so production teams should account for the meeting schedule before confirming shoot dates, travel, crew, or other nonrefundable expenses.

The Approved Permit Conditions

For this production, the Town approved the application with several changes to the original request. Many of these compromises were proposed during the Town Council meeting and had to be evaluated and agreed to in real time to keep the permit moving toward approval.

Here is what we proposed compared with what was ultimately permitted:

• A maximum of eight people total

  Our original application included 35 cast and crew members, so we agreed during the meeting to reduce the production team considerably for the Palm Beach portion of the shoot.

• No catering or craft services setup

  We had considered setting up a small craft services table, but agreed that all food and beverage service would remain off-site.

• No clothing changes at the location

  Our original plan allowed for wardrobe changes in a pop-up changing tent. Under the approved conditions, models could not change clothing within the permitted public area.

• No motorhome

  We had considered parking a motorhome in a nearby private garage to house wardrobe and provide models with a private changing area. That element was removed from the production plan.

• Hand-held equipment only

  This was already consistent with how we intended to capture the shot. Still, clearly confirming during the meeting that there would be no large lighting setups, grip equipment, or equipment blocking pedestrian areas helped the Council understand how small and mobile the production would appear to the public.

• One shuttle van

  Rather than bringing multiple production vehicles into the area, we agreed to shuttle the team to the location in one passenger van without occupying public parking spaces.

• A maximum of four hours of filming

  We applied for a full production day to preserve flexibility, although we expected the actual shot to take approximately two hours. The approved four-hour window still provided enough time to arrive, capture the necessary content, and clear the location efficiently.

The final conditions required us to rethink the crew size, wardrobe plan, transportation, production support, and length of the day. Being present, understanding the production’s true priorities, and having the authority to make decisions on the fly allowed us to respond to the Council’s concerns and secure the permit.

The total cost of the permit was $2,600.

What This Approval Reinforced

Commercial filming in Palm Beach is possible, particularly when the production has a meaningful connection to the Town and can operate with minimal disruption. In this case, the retail brand was preparing to open a storefront on Worth Avenue later that year. This helped demonstrate why Palm Beach was essential to the campaign rather than simply serving as an attractive backdrop. The Town’s priority is protecting the experience of its residents, visitors, and businesses. A production plan is more likely to be well received when it shows that the shoot can operate almost unnoticed, with a small team, limited equipment, minimal vehicles, and a short filming window. Palm Beach is an incredible option for the right production. The creative and logistics simply need to be designed around the location from the beginning.

What to Include in a Palm Beach Film Permit Application

• Business Description

  Provide a clear overview of the company, brand, or product being promoted. Explain its relationship to Palm Beach and why the requested location is meaningful to the campaign.

• Proposed Production Schedule

  Include a detailed schedule covering arrival, setup, filming, and breakdown. Filming is prohibited between 8:00–10:00 a.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m., so build the production schedule around those restricted periods.

• Production Activities

  Describe exactly what will happen at the location and how the team will move through the space. Give reviewers a clear sense of the shoot’s scale and explain how the production will avoid disrupting residents, visitors, businesses, pedestrians, and traffic.

• Personnel

  Keep the proposed cast and crew as lean as realistically possible. Consider which team members must be physically present at the public location and whether others can remain at a nearby base.

• Parking and Transportation

  Avoid relying on public parking spaces for production vehicles. Research nearby private parking garages and consider shuttling cast and crew to the location in a single passenger van.

• Equipment

  Plan for a compact, hand-held equipment package. The Town requires applicants to describe the equipment being used, so provide an accurate list while clearly explaining how it will be carried, operated, and kept out of pedestrian pathways.

• Insurance

  Be prepared to provide a certificate of insurance that meets the Town’s requirements after the application is approved. Coverage requirements can vary depending on whether the project is classified as minor or large-scale commercial filming.

The Bottom Line

Palm Beach is a special production location, and the additional planning can be worthwhile when the setting is genuinely important to the creative. The key is to approach the film permit process with realistic expectations. Start early, communicate clearly, keep the production footprint light, and remain open to adjusting the original plan. With the right project and a well-considered production strategy, filming in Palm Beach is absolutely possible.

Planning a Production in Palm Beach?

SPLASH Productions provides Palm Beach and South Florida production support, including film permitting, location scouting, local crew coordination, and on-the-ground producing for commercial photography and video productions throughout Florida. Planning a Florida production? Reach out to Emily at SPLASH Productions to discuss your shoot and how we can help bring it to life.

For current requirements and deadlines, review the Town of Palm Beach’s official film permit information.