Commercial Filming & Photography

A permit is required for commercial filming on Bureau of Reclamation lands or facilities. Commercial filming, whether performed by non-profit organizations or private industry, includes but is not limited to motion picture filming, videography, virtual reality recording and sound recording. For ground photography, a permit is required if the requested activity will take place at locations where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; involves product or service advertisement; or involves the use of models, sets, or props.

Filming and photography are prohibited if there is a likelihood of resource damage, there would be an unreasonable disruption of the public’s use and enjoyment of the site, or the activity poses health or safety risks to the public.

All film permit applications must be received at least 30 business days in advance. Fee waiver requests must be submitted an additional 10 business days in advance.

Non-commercial Filming and Photography

In areas accessible by the public, casual-use activities involving still photography and videography do not require a permit (e.g., non-commercial activities occurring on an occasional or irregular basis that result in little or no impact to public lands).

A permit is required for organized, non-commercial filming and photography on Reclamation lands. These activities include student films or hobby projects such as non-commercial short or feature films. A permit also is required to conduct filming and photography in non-public areas.

News Media

News media do not require a permit. However, please provide advance notice and coordinate with the Public Affairs Office at pninfo@usbr.gov.

Federal Agencies

Activities managed by other Federal agencies or Interior bureaus by agreement or under other authority do not require a permit to shoot video and photos on Reclamation lands. However, please provide advance notice and coordinate with the Public Affairs Office at pninfo@usbr.gov.

Drone Use

Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, to capture footage and photography is subject to the same requirements listed above. All UAS operators also must adhere to FAA UAS policy, including No-Fly Zones awareness. Pilots must not operate model aircraft, except as allowed in special use areas established by an authorized official (see 43 CFR 423.41 [g]).

Fees

There is a $100 application fee for the initial review of the application. The permittee will also be required to remit all costs involved with issuing the permit and managing the activity, as well as a location fee for land or facility use. The administrative fee varies greatly per project. The costs may range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the complexity of the project and various considerations of a given location.

Fees may be reduced or waived at the discretion of the authorizing official if a Fee Waiver or Reduction Request is submitted, and the activity is eligible for waiver or reduction under 43 CFR 429.26.

Use of any part of a day is charged as one full day. One full day is defined as a continuous 24-hour period. The clock starts at the beginning of activity or with the scheduled arrival of the first vehicle.

Additional fees may be charged by non-Reclamation staff, such as park managers, irrigation district staff, and contractors. They will be billed separately.

How to Apply

Submit a Fee Waiver or Reduction Request

If applicable, submit a Fee Waiver or Reduction Request by emailing it to pninfo@usbr.gov. Reclamation will respond to your request for a fee waiver or reduction within 10 business days.

Submit a Right-of-Use Application

Fill out a Right-of-Use Application. Include detailed information about your project and the script (or concept if a script is unavailable). If your application fee was waived, email the application to pninfo@usbr.gov. If your application fee was not waived, follow the instructions below to submit your payment.

  1. Go to our pay.gov page
  2. Enter your Payer Information
  3. In the Memo to Agency field, write "Film Permit Application Fee, Columbia–Pacific Northwest Region Public Affairs Officer"
  4. Enter your customer and bill number. If you do not have a customer and bill number, enter 9999999999 for both fields.
  5. Enter $100 for the amount
  6. For the Bill Region, select Region 1-Columbia Pacific Northwest
  7. Select yes to provide an attachment, and attach your Right-of-Use Application when prompted. If the file does not attach, you can email it to pninfo@usbr.gov after submitting the payment.
  8. Enter your payment information
  9. in the CC Email field, enter "pninfo@usbr.gov". If you do not enter the CC Email, we will not be notified when your payment is submitted.
  10. Review and submit your payment

If you have questions, please reach out to pninfo@usbr.gov.

Review and Permit Issuance

Once received, your request will be evaluated. The Public Affairs Office may reach out with additional questions to better evaluate your request.

When the evaluation is complete, you will receive an initial review letter notifying you whether your application appears to be appropriate for further processing. At this time, Reclamation will notify you of the land use fee and an initial estimate of administrative costs required to continue processing your application. Once the administrative and land use fees are paid, Reclamation staff will prepare a Special Use Permit, which you will be required to sign before any onsite work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm on a deadline, and I need to film on Reclamation lands next week. What do I need to do to expedite my permit application?

All film permit applications must be received at least 30 business days in advance. If you are also submitting a fee waiver request, we suggest submitting that an additional 10 business days in advance.

Why do I need liability insurance?

It is important to remember that a permit is a legally binding document between the permitted applicant and the United States of America. Because of this, liability insurance is required with all special use permits.

What criteria will Reclamation consider when reviewing applications?

Reclamation will consider the following criteria when reviewing applications:

  • Compatibility with authorized project purposes, project operations, safety and security;
  • Environmental compliance;
  • Compatibility with public interests;
  • Conflicts with Federal policies and initiatives;
  • Public health and safety;
  • Availability of other reasonable alternatives; and
  • Best interests of the United States.

Is Reclamation required to issue a use authorization?

No. The issuance of a use authorization is at Reclamation's discretion. At a minimum, the criteria listed at §429.14 must be considered prior to issuance of any use authorizations. Not all requests will be authorized. If issued, Reclamation will provide only the least estate, right or possessory interest needed to accommodate the approved use. Should your requested use be denied at any time during the review process, Reclamation will notify you in writing of the basis for the denial.

Authority

The information is provided for under the authority of the following:

Contact
Public Affairs Office
pninfo@usbr.gov

Bureau of Reclamation
Columbia–Pacific Northwest Regional Office
1150 North Curtis Road
Boise, Idaho 83706

Film Permits
Last Updated: 3/30/26