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Aperture
US City

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City's film permit kicks in at crews larger than four and costs $142 for up to three locations; Temple Square and the Capitol follow other rules.

Verified Jul 1, 2026 2 sources
Permit: conditional

Shoot decision

Depends on setup

Small personal or low-impact work may be fine, but commercial, staged, exclusive-use, tripod, light, or crew-heavy work can cross the permit line.

Permit: conditional

Permit line

Conditional, Salt Lake City Event Permits office

Public space

Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US

Drone layer

Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107; local property rules add restrictions

Guidance, not legal advice

Rules change and enforcement varies. Confirm with the issuing authority before you shoot. Drone law depth lives at Drone Authority.

Before you go

The field order that prevents wasted trips

Work in this order. Each step answers a different risk, and skipping ahead is how a simple shoot turns into a permit, flight, or gear problem on site.

  1. Confirm the permit answer

    Use the official permit page before you schedule, invoice, or bring a larger setup.

    Open permit page
  2. Build the shot sequence

    Turn the rule answer into a route, frame list, and completion checklist before you are standing there.

    Build shot list
  3. Separate photo rules from flight rules

    If the plan includes a drone, check the flight side separately before you pack batteries.

    Check Drone Authority
  4. Keep the kit easy to explain

    Keep the setup handheld or shoulder-bag small unless the job truly needs stands, cables, or blocked space.

    Match field gear

Aperture workflow

Plan the city shoot

Permits are only one part of city work. Plan the route, support gear, and backup frames before a sidewalk turns into a bottleneck.

Field kit

Low-friction kit for city rules

City permits often hinge on whether your setup looks like exclusive use. Keep the kit small unless the job truly needs stands or production gear.

Match more field gearCheck field deals
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 pocket gimbal camera

Stabilized walk-and-talk footage

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

$499 - $669

9.0

Travel vloggers and solo creators who want smooth footage with the least kit possible.

Skip if: Fixed wide lens

Price-band check

Use the retailer for the current price after the kit still fits the rule constraint.

Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L V2

Small carry for fast sidewalk work

Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L V2

$100 - $130

8.7

Minimal shooters carrying one body and a prime.

Skip if: Limited capacity

Price-band check

Use the retailer for the current price after the kit still fits the rule constraint.

Product links may earn a commission at no cost to you. Verify the rules first, then buy only what keeps the shoot practical.

Permit

Conditional

Issuer: Salt Lake City Event Permits office

Cost: $142 for up to 3 locations; about $100 more per 3 additional locations

Processing: Submit no less than 30 days in advance; insurance evidence due at least 48 hours before the shoot

A city filming permit is needed when a production crew of more than four individuals shoots on Salt Lake City public property. One permit covers up to three locations. No city permit is needed for shoots entirely on private property with owner approval. Evidence of required insurance must reach the city no less than 48 hours before the start date or the permit is cancelled. Verify current terms with the Event Permits office.

Official permit page

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

  • Temple Square is private property of the LDS Church with its own photography rules; the city permit does not apply.
  • The Utah State Capitol and its grounds are state property; the Utah Film Commission is the contact for state-owned locations.
  • The four-person crew threshold makes small portrait shoots on city property effectively permit-free; count everyone on the crew.

Sources

Keep shooting

Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side:

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