Filming and Photography Guidelines

A Permit is Not Required When:

Productions are using hand-held cameras, cameras on a tripod, hand-held props and/or hand-held equipment.

Production is not asserting exclusive use of RIOC property.

Production are not using prop weapons, prop vehicles, stunts, actors in police uniform, and are not requesting parking privileges for production vehicles.

Standing on a RIOC sidewalk or within a RIOC park while using a hand-held camera and not otherwise asserting exclusive use of RIOC property is NOT an activity that requires a permit.

Permits are not required for casual photographers, tourists, or credentialed members of the media.

A Permit is Required When:

Productions utilize equipment* packages.

Production vehicles are requesting parking privileges.

Productions are asserting exclusive use of RIOC property.

Productions use prop weapons, prop vehicles, actors in police uniform, or stunts on set.

All must apply for a required permit. Insurance also required.

*Equipment is defined as anything more than a hand-held camera, camera on a tripod or hand-held items (such as bounce-boards, boom mics, etc.)

Production Parking on Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island has extremely limited parking options. Most crews are required to park at Coler Hospital at the north end of the island and stake bed to their permitted locations. All oversized vehicles that cannot hold a single lane on the Roosevelt Island Bridge helix require a Public Safety escort up and down the helix. Oversized vehicles also face time restrictions onto and off the island. No oversized vehicles are permitted between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Productions are required to plan accordingly.

Student Filming

Students wishing to film on the island may have their permit fees waived. Students must submit a letter from their school, on school letterhead, that confirms the applicant is currently enrolled in a film course, and the school’s insurance will cover the filming. Students must also submit a school photo ID and list an active school email address.

Insurance Requirements

All permits require a certificate of liability that maintains insurance in the amount of a least $1 million general liability per occurrence. The following MUST be listed as additional insured: RIOC, the State of New York, the City of New York, the Empire State Development Corporation, and the Division of Housing and Community Renewal.