Charlotte
Charlotte handles filming through the Charlotte Regional Film Commission's Apply To Film process, which coordinates city, county, and state approvals.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Charlotte Regional Film Commission (CRVA), coordinating City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County departments
Cost: Fee varies by property and impact, see the film commission
Processing: Submit the Apply To Film form early; multi-agency approvals add lead time
Most commercial production in Charlotte requires a permit, and the Charlotte Regional Film Commission is the first point of contact: its Apply To Film form starts the process and the commission routes you to the right city, Mecklenburg County, or state office depending on the location. Proof of insurance is standard for public-property shoots. Casual handheld personal photography needs nothing. Verify specifics with the film commission.
Drone / airspace
Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107; local property rules add restrictions
Local takeoff, landing, and park restrictions sit on top of FAA airspace rules. For Part 107 and 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 city law.
Practical notes
- Romare Bearden Park, the classic uptown skyline foreground, is a Mecklenburg County park, so county Park and Recreation rules apply rather than city rules.
- The US National Whitewater Center is private property with its own media policy.
- Uptown's plazas are often privately owned public spaces; the building owner's rules apply for commercial work.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: