Alabama
Alabama has no statewide photo permit; the Entertainment Office coordinates, cities issue permits, and ADCNR clears commercial shoots in state parks.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Alabama Entertainment Office (Alabama Department of Commerce)
Cost: Varies by property and locality, see the film office
Processing: ADCNR advises about 30 days notice for commercial shoots on its properties
There is no single statewide film or photography permit. Permits are issued by cities and counties (Film Birmingham, the Mobile Film Office, and the North Alabama Film Commission are the active regional offices); the state Entertainment Office acts as liaison and handles production registration for incentives. On state land, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) requires advance approval for commercial photo and video shoots in state parks, Forever Wild areas, and wildlife management areas: coordinate with ADCNR communications about 30 days ahead, register with the Entertainment Office, and carry liability insurance. Casual personal photography in the parks needs nothing. Verify current requirements with the film office and ADCNR before a shoot.
Drone / airspace
Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
ADCNR treats drones as production equipment that pushes a shoot into permit territory on its lands. For Part 107 and state drone law, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
Private property sets its own rules regardless of state law.
Practical notes
- Alabama State Parks (Gulf State Park, Cheaha, DeSoto) fall under the ADCNR commercial photo and video policy, not a parks-counter permit; the same policy covers wildlife management areas.
- Gulf Shores and Orange Beach run their own beach permitting for commercial shoots; the beach itself is not state film office territory.
- For anything on city streets, start with the regional film office (Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville area) rather than the state.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: