Portland, Oregon
Portland splits permitting across streets, parks, and city buildings, and wants $2,000,000 in coverage for right-of-way and building shoots.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Portland Events and Film Office (Prosper Portland), with PBOT for streets and Portland Parks and Recreation for parks
Cost: Parks application and processing fee about $133.50 plus hourly parks usage fees; city-owned buildings carry a $250 application fee and a $5,000 security deposit; street fees per the PBOT schedule
Processing: File street permits at least 3 days ahead
Required for shoots using the public right of way, city parks, or city buildings. For right-of-way and city buildings, commercial general liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence is required, with an additional-insured endorsement naming the City of Portland. Private-property shoots with no public impact need no city permit.
Drone / airspace
Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107; the city adds approvals for takeoff or landing on city property
Local rules 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
- Parks are a separate permit track from streets, paid through the Parks customer service center.
- Filming is restricted during the Rose Festival and some holidays under a moratorium; a noise variance is needed outside 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: