FILMING GUIDELINES & DOING BUSINESS IN WEST VIRGINIA
PERMITS
The WVFO does not require permits, but depending on the selected filming
location, various state and federal agencies may require permits/agreements
and/or advance notice (see below), especially if filming involves special
needs (such as, road closures, use of pyrotechnics, etc.). In all situations,
the WVFO is the best first resource to act as a liaison among appropriate
agencies.
Special Effects and Explosives
State Property — Capitol Complex Grounds
State Property — Transportation Facilities
State Property — Parks & Forests
State Property — Wildlife Management Areas
Federal Property — National Parks
Federal Property — National Forests
Special Effects and
Explosives
All Entertainment Production Projects are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
If the production is closed and does not involve the public, no permit
is required. For proximate audience and class D fireworks, one or more
permits may be necessary. A license for the pyrotechnic operator may also
be required. Permits are day/event specific. For regulation details, visit
www.wvfiremarshal.org or contact the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s
office at 304-558-2191 x-219.
City and County Properties
Requirements for filming vary greatly on city- and county-owned properties.
Contact the WVFO to assist in communicating with city and county leaders
and agencies.
State Property — Capitol
Complex Grounds
There is no location fee to film on Capitol Complex Grounds (Charleston)
during normal business hours (M-F, 8am-5pm). Each Entertainment Production
Project must complete the agreement "Request to Use Capitol Grounds"
and submit it for approval to the General Services Division. A valid certificate
of insurance must accompany the agreement. Cost recovery may be charged
for services and equipment provided by GSD and for filming outside normal
business hours. Contact the WVFO for a copy of the agreement or call GSD
at 304-558-3517.
State Property —
Transportation Facilities
All Entertainment Production Projects are reviewed on a case-by-case basis
and reasonable advance notice is required for use of state-owned transportation
facilities (roadways, railways, waterways, public transit systems). A
written agreement may be required based upon the scope of the filming
activity and a copy of a valid certificate of insurance is required. Cost
recovery may be charged for services and equipment provided by the WV
Department of Transportation, and a fee may apply if special needs are
requested (such as, road closure, intermittent control, etc.). Contact
the WVFO to ensure navigation through the appropriate channels of communication
State Property — Parks
& Forests
To film in a state park or forest, an Entertainment Production Project
must sign a one-time agreement and commercial enterprise agreement and
provide a copy of a valid certificate of insurance. The commercial enterprise
agreement may include a fee based on the extent of facilities used, disruption
to park guests, staff time, etc.; any such fee will be determined on a
case-by-case basis. Contact any of the following for assistance: Kim McHenry
at 304-558-2003 x-363, Doug Baker at 304-558-2764, or the WVFO.
State Property — Wildlife
Management Areas
To film in a wildlife management area, an Entertainment Production Project
must sign a one-time agreement and commercial enterprise agreement and
provide a copy of a valid certificate of insurance. The commercial enterprise
agreement may include a fee based on the extent of facilities used, disruption
to park guests, staff time, etc.; any such fee will be determined on a
case-by-case basis. Contact either of the following for assistance: Scott
Warner at 304-558-2771 or the WVFO.
Federal Property —
National Parks
All commercial filming activities require a permit on federal lands nationwide.
["Commercial filming" is defined as digital or film recording
of a visual image or sound recording by a person, business, or other entity
for a market audience, such as for a documentary, television or feature
film, advertisement, or similar project. It does not include news coverage
or visitor use.] Advance notice (30 days) is required, and cost recovery
charges for all filming and still photography activities include the administrative/application
cost recovery charge and any costs incurred by NPS for monitoring the
permit (amount will vary based on size and complexity of permit). Proof
of liability insurance is required, and in certain circumstances, you
may also be asked to post a bond.
Still photography requires a permit only when (1) the activity occurs where/when the general public is not allowed, (2) models, sets, props, etc. are needed (and not already part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities), (3) the Park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity; and/or (4) the park needs to provide management and oversight to (a) avoid impairment or incompatible use of the resources and values of the park, or (b) limit resource damage, or (c) minimize health or safety risks to the visiting public.
News coverage does not require a permit, of either filming or still photography, but is subject to time, place, and manner restrictions, if warranted, to maintain order and ensure the safety of the public and the media, and to protect natural and cultural resources.
LOCATION FEES:
| Commercial
Filming |
Still
Photography |
||
| 1-2 people, camera & tripod only | $-0- | ||
| 1-10 people | $150 per day | 1-10 people | $50 per day |
| 11-30 people | $250 per day | 11-30 people | $150 per day |
| 31-49 people | $500 per day | more than 30 people | $250 per day |
| more than 50 people | $750 per day | ||
Permit applications and contact information for National Parks in West Virginia are as follows:
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Harpers Ferry, WV (Jefferson County):
Trail headquarters: 304-535-6331, www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm
Park headquarters: 304-535-6278, www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm
Permit short form: www.nps.gov/applications/parks/appa/ppdocuments/ACF34C9.pdf
Permit long form: www.nps.gov/applications/parks/appa/ppdocuments/ACF34C6.pdf
Bluestone National Scenic River - Glen Jean, WV (Fayette County): See contact and permit information under New River Gorge National River below. For additional information, visit www.nps.gov/blue/index.htm.
Gauley River National Recreation Area - Glen Jean, WV (Fayette County): See contact and permit information under New River Gorge National River below. For additional information, visit www.nps.gov/gari/index.htm.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Harpers Ferry, WV (Jefferson County):
Park headquarters: 304-535-6748 (Marsha Wassel, film permit coordinator),
www.nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/permits.htm
Permit short form: www.nps.gov/applications/parks/hafe/ppdocuments/10-931-filming-short-form.pdf
Permit long form: www.nps.gov/applications/parks/hafe/ppdocuments/10-932-filming-long-form.pdf
New River Gorge National River
- Glen Jean, WV (Fayette County):
Park headquarters: 304-465-0508 (Sherri Clendenin, film permit coordinator),
www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm
Canyon Rim Visitor Center: 304-574-2115
Sandstone Visitor Center: 304-466-0417
Permit form: www.nps.gov/neri/pdf/NERI_Filming_Permit_Application.pdf
Federal Property —
National Forests
Commercial filming activities on National Forest System lands require
a permit, and they are subject to land use fees and may be subject to
cost recovery charges. Still photographers require a permit when (a) the
activity occurs where/when the general public is not allowed, (b) models,
sets, props, etc. are needed (and not already part of the location's natural
or cultural resources or administrative facilities), and/or (c) the USFS
would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Advance
notice is required to obtain a permit; a minimum of 60 days is recommended.
Cost recovery charges for filming and still photography activities may
include a processing fee and costs incurred by USFS for monitoring the
permit (amount will vary based on size and complexity of permit). Proof
of liability insurance is required, and in certain circumstances, you
may also be asked to post a bond.
To obtain a permit application, contact information for National Forests in West Virginia is as follows:
Monongahela National Forest
Elkins Headquarters: Forest Supervisor's Office, Attn Special Use Manager,
200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, WV 26241; 304-636-1800, x-219; www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf
(includes the counties of Barbour, Grant, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pendleton,
Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, and Webster)
George Washington National Forest
North River Ranger District: 401 Oakwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801;
540-432-0187 (main); 866-904-0240 (toll-free); www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/northriver
(includes WV counties of Hampshire, Hardy, and Pendleton)
Jefferson National Forest
Eastern Divide Ranger District: 110 Southpark Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060;
540-552-4641; www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/nrv (includes the WV county of Monroe)
PRODUCTION INSURANCE
Each production must provide a valid copy of its certificate of insurance
upon request by the WVFO, other governmental agencies, and/or property
owners where filming occurs.
ANIMAL WELFARE AGENCIES
American Humane Association
Film & Television Unit, Los Angeles, CA; 818-501-0123; www.americanhumane.org
(Designated by the Screen Actors Guild as the only animal welfare organization
with on-set jurisdiction. Visit the AHA website for Guidelines for the
Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media.)
West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Animal Health Division, Charleston, WV; 304-558-2214; www.wvagriculture.org
(The Animal Health Program enforces certain agriculture laws and regulations
and is charged with preventing, suppressing, and controlling any communicable
diseases of animals or poultry.)
© 2005 WV Division of Tourism - Equal Opportunity Employer - Policy Statement
For comments on this page email dhassig@wvtourism.com