Film & Print Guidelines & Requirements

The city will determine minimum staffing levels appropriate for proposed Productions. Because no two production requests are the same, requirements may vary for each Production. In addition, each Production’s requests for City services will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The following is a general list of frequently required services. The Film & Print Office reserves the right to require additional City Services and/or monetary deposits not listed below.

USE OF OCEAN RESCUE HEADQUARTERS AND LIFEGUARD STANDS

Approval of the Ocean Rescue Chief is required to shoot around the Ocean Rescue Headquarters at 10th Street and South Pointe Park. Use of active on-duty lifeguard stands is generally not allowed for life safety reasons with few exceptions. Lifeguard stands may be used as a backdrop as long as the Production does not enter the coned-off safety perimeter around the active stand or impede the lifeguard’s line of vision in anyway. Water activities and stunts will require the presence of off-duty Miami Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguard(s). Generally, if cast and/or crew is in the water above knee level they will need an off-duty lifeguard present.

PRODUCTION DEPOSITS

For some productions (generally the more impactful ones on grassy areas, or ones in the same location for several days) a refundable deposit can be required for filming on public property. The amount of the deposit is at the discretion of the Film & Print Office, but no less than $5000 and commensurate with the potential costs of City Services needed to restore any damage caused by the Production. The Production will receive an invoice for City Services but in many cases, the Production may contract their own vendor to complete the restoration work up to City Standards. The deposit on file will be refunded once the work is completed and paid for (if done by the city). The deposit will be kept by the city if the Production fails to restore the area, and the Production will not be able to obtain future permits until the resulting work to restore the permitted area is reimbursed.

OFF-DUTY FIRE AND FIRE RESCUE

When a Production requests the use of fire and pyrotechnics, or will be performing stunts (crashes, jumps, falls) that are considered life threatening or dangerous, or when a production needs to temporarily disable fire prevention devices in any facility, a Fire Permit needs to be issued by the Fire Department. Most times the Fire Permit is requested by the stunt director and will be an auxiliary permit to your Film & Print Permit. In most instances, the presence of off-duty Miami Beach Fire personnel will be required. The Fire Department will also require a life safety review to be done when generators exceed the required threshold. An administration fee may be incurred for the review services.

OFF-DUTY POLICE

Off-duty police are required on any Film or Print production if the total number of people in the production is over twelve, or for any Production in which the proposed activity is deemed by the Film & Print Office or the Miami Beach Police Department to present a potential hazard or inconvenience to the general public, like “Candid Camera” type shows that involve the public, or use of a recognizable celebrity that may cause a crowd or security concerns. Oversized props can also be a hazard to the general public. Off-duty police officers are required for all Authorized Access uses, for any street and lane reductions or closures or any activity that could be mistaken as a public danger, inclusive of stunt work, simulated fighting, simulated gunfire, use of any prop weapons or actors in a prop police uniform or vehicle. An officer is also required when any grip equipment or drone is being used even if the crew size is less than twelve.
The Police Off-Duty Film Coordinator determines the minimum number of off-duty police personnel that will be required for proposed filming and is responsible for the billing and collection of all related fees. Police Off-Duty Film Coordinators are used in larger or more impactful shoots. Requests for staffing are made to the Police Off-Duty Film Coordinator or the Off-Duty Office after a Film & Print Permit has been requested. The Film & Print Office gives all the necessary contact information and guidance once a Film & Print permit request is submitted. Requests for off-duty police personnel should be received no less than two business days prior to the production date (more during peak times) to ensure the request can be filled. Off-duty officers will be required for most residential neighborhood filming as discussed in the Residential Neighborhood Filming section of these regulations. Low Impact Residential Productions, as defined herein, may be exempt from obtaining an off-duty officer. Off-duty police's first priority will be to address public safety related activities, as well as providing security needs as they relate to the Production.
Off-duty officers working on a Production are empowered to ensure that pre-approved site plans, traffic plans and/or Film & Print permit are being followed as specified in the permit. Officers may determine on-site modifications to the permit when public safety is an issue, and the Film & Print Office needs to be notified immediately. Any other changes made to the issued permit on-site should be done directly with the Film & Print Office, who are available by phone or and email during off-hours.
Permittees are encouraged to disclose foreseeable labor management disputes and other controversial issues as relative to their project as it may affect the City's ability to provide police services.
Requests for off-duty police must be received by the Off-Duty Office a minimum of two business days prior to the date of requested service. The Off-Duty Office may grant exceptions, based on their discretion.
Any approved off-duty request that is cancelled by the Production with a minimum of twenty-
four (24) hours’ notice, will be fully refunded. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the
officer is scheduled to arrive will result in the Production being responsible for the four (4) hour minimum for each off-duty officer scheduled, plus the appropriate administrative charges. In the case of Special Events that already have staffing and would like to add a film/photography/drone etc. component to the event, the film component will be independently reviewed and staffed by the off-duty film coordinator to ensure compliance with policy and procedures. Off-duty staffing requests must include the load-in, production and load-out times.

SANITATION DEPARTMENT
The Film & Print Office will contact the Sanitation Department when the relocation or removal of dumpsters and trash receptacles is necessary or when the proposed production activity interferes with regular trash collection. Please note that any Production that is found illegally dumping waste will be fined. In addition, any Production leaving debris or trash behind at any production location will be billed for the time, labor and equipment used by the Sanitation Department to clean-up the area. The Production should take all their garbage with them when they wrap the set each day.
As part of the Temporary Structure Sanitation Plan, the following to be included: The production shall be responsible for removing all litter and shall be responsible for removing all refuse and waste generated by their operation. All litter, refuse, and waste shall be removed from City property for proper disposal at their expense. The City shall charge for the costs of special clean up necessary should the applicant fail to reasonably perform.
Any security deposit collected will be retained to cover repair costs for damages to various public property amenities such as municipal buildings, bridges, monuments, ornamental water fountains, swimming pools, beach walks, parks, lifeguard stands, parking lots, and parking garages. If a permit is issued for activities on public property and damage occurs, the Facilities Management Department will assist with quantifying the damage. They will then oversee the scheduling and management of necessary repair work through vendors approved by the city.
Production applying for a film and print permit to shoot on the beach will undergo a review to determine if sand sifting services are necessary both before and after the equipment load-out. They are required to provide proof of sand sifting confirmation to the Film Office at least five (5) days before the scheduled shoot. This is to ensure that the beach area is maintained in a clean and presentable condition before and after filming activities take place.

USE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER AND CITY THEATERS AND OTHER RENTAL VENUES
A Film & Print permit is not necessary if the production does a rental directly with the enclosed and managed venue. The production will only need a permit if they have elements outside on public property, the rental is in a city park, or the Production needs to secure meters for production parking or picture.

GOLF COURSES / TENNIS CENTERS

All permit applicants must contact the management of these facilities to obtain approval and/or pay any applicable fees for the use of these facilities prior to any permits being issued. Golf Courses and tennis centers are not included as part of the "City-Wide" permit and are not considered City parks in terms of permitting. The rental of Golf Courses and tennis centers is up to the discretion of the facility, as they review possible conflicts with their operations.

PARKING

Productions operating beyond a Citywide permit, may require reserved parking arrangements in order to get essential equipment as close as possible to set for logistical reasons. A completed and successful parking plan is necessary before most permits can be issued since production vehicles must have a place to “live” for the duration of the shoot. City street meters can be reserved for production and picture vehicles or cleared for picture (when spaces need to be clear for a scene). Crew and personal vehicles cannot be parked in reserved street meters. Personal vehicles can park in private garages, non-reserved metered spaces (with the meter paid) or in pre-paid crew parking spaces in most Miami Beach owned garages at a set production rate, through a Film & Print Permit and by arrangement with the Parking Dept.
Before submitting a request to reserve meters, Productions are encouraged to review production parking plans with the Film & Print Office to receive suggestions of where to park, as it can become challenging during high-peak seasons. All reserved production parking, including crew parking at City-owned garages, must be done as part of a Film & Print permit, even if the Production is only filming within private commercial property. All production parking requests require the approval of the Film Office before an order can be processed by the Parking Dept. Parking meter requests must be submitted to the Parking Department at least 48 hours in
advance to allow time for the meter order to be processed and paid, for the “No Parking” signs
to be installed, and also allow for the 12 hour minimum grace period for any parked cars to clear out of the reserved spaces without a violation. Any production vehicles or crew vehicles not legally parked will be subject to traffic and parking violations, including towing, as appropriate, just like any other vehicle not associated with the Production. A Film & Print Permit does not allow for illegal parking.
When requesting meters along or in front of a business or a residence, Productions must notify the business or residence using the Notification Form found online at Forms, Guides & Resources -City of Miami Beach (miamibeachfl.gov). A copy of the completed Notification Form and a list of all the businesses and residents that were notified must be submitted to the Film & Print Office before any meter requests can be approved. Notification is to be done by the Production no less than 48 hours in advance to give proper notice. Productions are encouraged to park large trucks along a garage, parking lot, or empty storefront whenever possible, to minimize disturbance to businesses and parking availability to the public.

PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

The Parks and Recreation Department must be contacted when the applicant requests the rental or reserved use of a park facility such as amphitheaters, basketball, handball & tennis courts, baseball, football & soccer fields, pools, etc. Approval and/or payment of all applicable rental fees must be made prior to the issuance of the Film & Print permit. The Film & Print Office can direct you to the appropriate person for the approval or rental. All park rules must be adhered to, including no smoking, no balloons, no alcohol, etc.

AUTHORIZED VEHICLE ACCESS PASSES

Vehicle Access Policy – If needed, for logistical reasons only, to place Production Vehicles on the beach, in parks or other authorized-access-only areas, a request may be submitted with the Film & Print Office. Only production vehicles deemed necessary will be allowed access providing that all production vehicles entering and exiting the beach or park must have a Vehicle Access Pass displayed and an off-duty officer escort present at all times. Vehicles must travel with the radio off and both the driver side and passenger side windows down and drive no more than five (5) miles per hour, with the lights on. Vehicles must park in the area pre-approved by the Film & Print Office and written on the issued passes, and not block the emergency access lane on the hard packed sand on the beach east and west of dunes at any time. All restrictions are on the back of the physical pass. The city is very dedicated to public safety and is sensitive to vehicles driving in areas that are also open to pedestrians. If the area requested has a dedicated concessionaire, you will need signature approval from the concessionaire to park in that area.
Vehicle Access Passes have a fee, adjusted annually as necessary based on CPI (with the first pass each day provided free of cost as a production incentive) with a purchase maximum of ten
(10) Vehicle Access Passes and require an off-duty escort at the production’s expense for the duration of the use of the pass. Any amount exceeding the maximum will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the production’s scale and impact on the city’s resources. Vehicle Access Passes are issued once an off-duty officer has been confirmed. As another production incentive, during the off-season, from June 1 through September 30, the first Vehicle Beach Access Pass is free of cost, and each additional pass is charged at half the price. The off-duty requirement remains the same.
Below are the Vehicle Beach Pass restrictions listed on the back of each issued pass for your reference. Please make sure each of the drivers review the restrictions before entering the authorized-vehicle-only area:

•All operating vehicles on the beach, park or other authorized use area shall follow the procedures listed herein:
•Due care and caution will be utilized at all times while driving any vehicle on the beach, park or other authorized use area.
•All vehicles on the beach, park or other authorized use area shall enter and depart the area at the nearest authorized access point to the call.
•Prior to entering the beach, park or other authorized use area, vehicle headlights and overhead flashing lights (if equipped) or flashers will be turned on.
•Drivers must turn off radios and roll down both the passenger and driver's side front windows of their vehicle while operating a vehicle on the beach, park or other authorized use area.
•Maximum speed allowed on the beach, park or other authorized use area is five (5) MPH.
•Vehicles, SUVs, and trucks are prohibited from driving on the soft sand where hard pack sand exists.
•Vehicles, SUVs, and trucks shall stay west of the garbage cans on the hard pack sand at all times.
•Do not drive over hills or berms (dunes) or near objects that may obstruct your view.
•As a precaution and situational awareness for safety, if you stop and exit your vehicle, walk completely around the vehicle prior to reentering your vehicle and moving it.
•Traffic cones (orange, 18" high) must be placed at the front and rear of vehicles when parked on the beach, park, or other authorized use area.
•Use of a cellular phone or walkie talkies while the vehicle is in motion is prohibited.
•Personal vehicles are prohibited on the beach, park, or other authorized use area at any time.
These procedures are to be complied with at all times by anyone operating a vehicle on the beach, park or other authorized use area. Failure to comply with these procedures may result in immediate revocation of the vehicle access pass and the Film & Print permit and termination of production.