Film Permitting and Regulations -

Federal Lands

Permits are required for all production companies and still photographers doing work on federal lands, including national parks, forests, recreation areas and monuments. The breakdown of Wyoming’s lands, is as follows: 49% Federal; 42% private; 6% State; and 3% Indian Reservation.

Bureau of Land Management

The permitting process and items needed vary depending on the proposed location and type of filming. Please refer to the BLM website for further details on permitting and fees.

Department of Defense

Southeast Wyoming is home to two major military installations: F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, and the Army National Guard Training Center in Guernsey. Both require approval from the Department of Defense before production can take place on these sites. For information regarding filming on military property and use of equipment, contact the following federal offices:

U.S. Forest Service

The U.S. Forest Service ranger district requires a special use permit for film and photography projects. Applicants should contact the Ranger District in the forest they wish to film.

Contact the following offices for more information:

National Parks and Monuments

Commercial filming permits are required for any project that generates an electronic media, film or video production for television, the motion picture industry, public interest or private multi-media which consists of production crews and vehicles, broadcast equipment, props/sets, talent/actors, construction, trailers, housing, animals or aircraft. Projects may involve feature films, documentaries, game shows, soap operas, shopping networks, religious telecasts, talk shows, docudramas, travelogues, commercials, infomercials, public TV presentations, or DVDs, CDs, CD-ROMs or videos for training, sales, education, promotions, entertainment, etc.

Permits for commercial still photography are also required when used for product or service advertisement, activities involve the use of models, sets or props; or when proposed photographic activities indicate potential for resource damage or undue disruption of visitor activities. A minimum of 2 to 4 weeks (depending on project type and volume of requests) is required to process an application and issue a permit.

Contact the following offices for more information: