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You Need a Permit to Fly a Drone for Film & Print Purposes
All requests for aerial filming over the City of Miami Beach will require a Film & Print Permit for “Miami Beach Aerials” detailing the proposed date, time, location and flight pattern of each flight. The City of Miami Beach does not issue blanket permits for the overall airspace, nor does it allow commercial drone filming under recreational/hobbyist FAA guidelines. In addition, the Production must follow all requirements of the FAA's UAS Rule (currently Part 107 but may be further amended by the FAA).
For any use of drones (or UAS requests) as part of your commercial filming activity, the City of Miami Beach follows FAA guidelines as follows:
For permitting consideration, please provide:
- FAA-issued pilot or operator license
- Drone registration number
- Pilot/operator’s insurance naming The City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 as certificate holder
- Manufacturer detail showing the weight of UAS to be less than 55 lb
- Date and times of each UAS filming use
- An overhead map showing the flight path/ vector of use for the proposed UAS filming area, including height from the ground and projected speed with a notation of where the drone operator will be stationed.*
*When mapping the area, please keep in mind that the area of use must be free and clear to all general public during the use of a UAS for filming. Only the cast and crew hired by the production (and named under the worker’s compensation policy of the production) are allowed within the designated area as per FAA regulations, this includes the use of streets, beaches, sidewalks, and parks.
Securing an area for drone use can be done by hiring off-duty officers and possibly Ocean Rescue if appropriate. The Film office will review all requests with the production to determine staffing levels and may be able to recommend more affordable alternatives.
How To Apply for a Miami Beach Aerial Permit?
Complete Your Online Application:
- Go to the Civic Access Online Permitting Portal
- Choose "Drone Fly Permit"
- Add “Miami Beach Aerials” as a location
Complete Aerials Application Packet:
In addition to the standard Film & Print Permit requirements, you must provide the Film & Print Office with a complete Aerials Application Packet at least 5 business days before filming. This consists of:
- A. Completed FAA UAS Filming Request Form
- B. Certificate of UAS Insurance from the operating company/UAS owner naming the City of Miami Beach as additional Insured.
- C. Proof of valid pilot's license or airman certification with a small UAS rating or remote pilot certificate for pilot(s) or pilot supervisor to be on site.
- D.Valid FAA approved UAS registration (14 CFR part 47 or part 48)
- E. FAA approved documentation detailing the weight and condition for safe operation of the aircraft to be used for requested activities.
- F. A map/diagram (google maps or equivalent is acceptable) for each expected drone location showing:
- Date and Time of flight
- The flight path/ vector of use for the UAS filming
- UAS Height from ground and projected speed
- Where the drone operator will be stationed
Sample Flight Path Map/Diagram
Off-Duty Staffing:
Each aerial request will be required to obtain a minimum of one off-duty Miami Beach Police or Ocean Rescue staffing depending on the site plan and the use.
It is important that a complete and accurate Aerials Application Packet be submitted in a timely manner, as additional requirements for the approval of the permit request (such as notification distribution, signature survey collection, PD staffing, Coast Guard or Miami Port notifications/approvals, etc) will be determined by the details submitted. The sooner we know your accurate plan, the more time your production will have to complete any additional requirements and ensure that your permit can be issued in a time.
If you have any questions as to how to apply for an UAS/Drone Permit, please reach out to the Film Office as early as possible to identify the best course of action for your specific production’s needs.
How to use the Civic Access Portal for Submitting an Online Permit.
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Download File: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/FilmandPrintPermit-How-to-Video.mp4?_=1Download File: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/FilmandPrintPermit-How-to-Video.mp4?_=1Please note that the City of Miami Beach and the City of Miami are two separate cities. If you wish to apply for a permit for the City of Miami, for areas like Downtown Miami, Wynwood, Little Havana, Little Haiti, etc., please visit: Get a Film Permit - Miami
Office Info:
Tourism & Culture Department
- Lissette Garcia Arrogante
Director
LissetteArrogante@miamibeachfl.gov - Francys Vallecillo
Assistant Director
FrancysVallecillo@miamibeachfl.gov - Fernando Pestana
Administrative Services Manager
FernandoPestana@miamibeachfl.gov
Ext: 26727
Special Events and Film Division
- Shama Johnson
Film & Print Liaison
ShamaJohnson@miamibeachfl.gov
Ext: 26374 - Cody Croye
Field Monitor
CodyCroye@miamibeachfl.gov
Ext: 26982 - Diana Bego
Special Events Associate
DianaBego@miamibeachfl.gov
Ext: 26298 - Amber Dunn
Office Associate III
AmberDunn@miamibeachfl.gov
Ext: 27579
Cultural Affairs Division
- Gabriella Roman
Cultural Affairs Manager
GabriellaRoman@miamibeachfl.gov
Ext. 26256 - Oscar Rieveling
Art in Public Places Coordinator
OscarRievelingSanchez@miamibeachfl.gov
Ext: 22711 - Sandra Schoenlank-Arian
Grants & Operations Administrator
sandraschoenlank@miamibeachfl.gov
Ext: 26618 - Gina Martins
Arts & Culture Projects Coordinator
GinaMartins@miamibeachfl.gov
