Wisconsin is an easy state to film in. There is no statewide film permit, most small towns ask only that you tell the police department you are coming, and the places that do require paperwork — city parks, the State Capitol, the UW campus, state parks — issue permits quickly and cheaply. This is the checklist we run for our own productions, from a one-person interview shoot to a commercial with a street closure. Rules change; confirm with the office before your shoot date.
When you need a permit at all
- Private property: no public permit, only the owner’s permission (get it in writing).
- Public sidewalks and streets, small crew, no equipment that blocks the way: usually nothing required, but tell the local police non-emergency line for anything that looks like a production.
- City parks, plazas and beaches: a parks or special-event permit in most cities.
- Street or lane closures, parking holds, stunts, pyrotechnics, drones over people: always a permit, with insurance and lead time.
- State property (Capitol, state parks, UW campuses, highways): the agency’s own permit.
Madison
The City of Madison handles commercial photo and video shoots through the Parks Division commercial shoot permit. Fees are a $60 application fee plus $150 for a half day or $200 for a full day of park use, applied at least seven days before the shoot (a $30 late fee applies inside that window). Shoots that use no reservable space, structures or amplified sound are generally exempt. Street use permits for closures and parking go through the City Engineering street-use process and need several weeks for anything that affects traffic. Olbrich Botanical Gardens requires its own photography permit for posed work in the outdoor gardens; the Thai Pavilion is a popular commercial location.
The Wisconsin State Capitol and Capitol Square are state property: the building and grounds are managed by the Department of Administration, which issues permits for commercial filming and events; small handheld crews can usually film the exterior without one. The UW–Madison campus, including the Memorial Union Terrace and Picnic Point, is permitted through University Communications and the Wisconsin Union for commercial shoots.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee issues film permits through the City Clerk’s License Division special-event process, with Milwaukee County Parks handling the lakefront parks, Bradford Beach and the Boerner Botanical Gardens separately. Expect a certificate of insurance naming the city or county, and two to three weeks of lead time for anything on a street. The Third Ward, Walker’s Point and the lakefront are the locations we are asked for most.
Green Bay, Appleton, La Crosse, Wausau and smaller cities
Most mid-size Wisconsin cities have no dedicated film office; permits for parks go through the parks department and anything on a street through the police department or city clerk as a special event. Fees are typically $25–$150 and turnaround is days rather than weeks. Call first: a friendly conversation with the parks director usually gets you a faster answer than a form.
State parks, forests and trails
Commercial filming and photography in Wisconsin state parks requires a special use permit from the Wisconsin DNR, issued by the property manager of the specific park. Devil’s Lake, Peninsula, Governor Dodge and the Kettle Moraine units are the most-requested. Allow two to four weeks, expect a modest fee plus the normal vehicle admission, and expect conditions on crowds, drones and off-trail access.
Drones
Any commercial drone work requires an FAA Part 107 certified pilot. Madison’s airspace around Dane County Regional Airport is Class C, so much of the isthmus and the east side needs a LAANC authorization, which is usually instant for altitudes up to the grid ceiling. Milwaukee has the same situation around Mitchell International. The Wisconsin DNR prohibits drone take-off and landing in state parks without a permit, and the Capitol grounds are off-limits to drones without state approval. We fly under Part 107 on every job and secure authorizations as part of pre-production.
Insurance
Cities and the state will ask for a certificate of general liability insurance, typically $1 million per occurrence, naming the city, county or state as additional insured. Production companies carry this; if you are hiring crew directly, ask for their certificate before you apply.
A realistic timeline
| Shoot | Lead time | Likely paperwork |
|---|---|---|
| Interview in an office or home | None | Owner permission |
| B-roll downtown, handheld, two people | 1–2 days | Courtesy call to police non-emergency |
| Portraits or product shoot in a city park | 7–14 days | Parks commercial shoot permit, insurance |
| Commercial with parking holds or a lane closure | 3–6 weeks | Street use permit, traffic plan, insurance, police detail |
| Shoot in a state park | 2–4 weeks | DNR special use permit |
| Drone over a public area in controlled airspace | 1–3 days | Part 107 pilot, LAANC authorization, local permit |
Beyond Wisconsin
For Chicago (Chicago Film Office, $250 per day per location), the Twin Cities, Iowa and the other states we work in, see our film production hub and the Chicago page, which lists permit fees, lead times and insurance for each market. Wisconsin productions can now also qualify for the state’s 30% film tax credit.
We handle permits, insurance certificates and drone authorizations on every production we run. Tell us where you want to shoot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to film in Madison, Wisconsin?
For commercial shoots in city parks, yes: a Parks Division commercial shoot permit ($60 application plus $150 half day or $200 full day) filed at least seven days ahead. Small crews using no reservable space or amplified sound are generally exempt. Street closures and parking holds need a separate street use permit.
Can I film at the Wisconsin State Capitol?
Exterior shots with a small handheld crew are usually fine without a permit. Interior filming, tripods, lighting or anything commercial on the grounds requires a permit from the Department of Administration, and drones are not allowed without state approval.
Do I need a permit to film in a Wisconsin state park?
Yes, commercial filming and photography require a DNR special use permit from the property manager of the park. Allow two to four weeks.
Can I fly a drone for a commercial shoot in Wisconsin?
Yes, with an FAA Part 107 certified pilot. Near Madison and Milwaukee airports you will need a LAANC authorization, state parks require a permit for take-off and landing, and the Capitol grounds are off-limits without approval.
How much does a film permit cost in Wisconsin?
Most city permits run $25–$200 plus insurance. Madison charges $60 plus $150–$200 for park shoots; Chicago, by comparison, charges $250 per day per location.
