Bitterroot Range, Montana
BLM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
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Filming Fees

Cost Reimbursement (Processing And Monitoring) Fees And Rental Fees must be paid before filming is permitted on public land. Generally it is easiest to submit all fees with the application. Processing fees are non-refundable, but monitoring and rental fees will be refunded if the application is not approved.

PROCESSING AND MONITORING FEES vary depending on the estimated hours of BLM time required to process the application and to monitor filming and reclamation. In most cases, minimal impact filming at popular locations requires payment of Category 1 fees. These fees are generally paid with the application after coordination with the local BLM contact. The fees are based on the following schedule:

CATEGORYBLM WORK HOURSPROCESSING/MONITORING FEES*
2009
11 to 8$109
28 to 24$386
324 to 36$726
436 to 50$1,040
5Not applicable to Film Permits
650+Full reimbursement for actual costs

*Processing and Monitoring Fees may be assessed using separate categories

RENTAL fees vary per State and are generally established by Statewide appraisals. The following schedules are from the three states that process the most BLM filming permits:

CALIFORNIA RENTAL SCHEDULE

Motion Pictures/VideosCommercial Still Photography
1 - 30 people$250/day1 - 10 people$100/day
31 - 60 people$500/day11 - 30 people$150/day
Over 60 people$600/dayOver 30 people$250/day

NEVADA RENTAL SCHEDULE

Motion Pictures/VideosCommercial Still Photography
1 - 10 people$150/day1 - 10 people$50/day
11 - 30 people$250/day11 - 30 people$150/day
31 - 49 people$500/dayOver 30 people$250/day
Over 50 people$750/day  

UTAH RENTAL SCHEDULE

Motion Pictures/VideosCommercial Still Photography
1 - 30 people$250/location/day1 - 10 people$100/location/day
31 - 60 people$500/location/day11 - 30 people$150/location/day
Over 60 people$600/location/dayOver 30 people$250/location/day

INSURANCE: All applications must include a certificate of insurance naming the United States Department of the Interior - BLM as co-insured. Contact the appropriate BLM Field Office for specific dollar amount.

BONDING: Permittees may be required to provide cash bonds to assure reclamation of sets or sensitive locations.

For more information on film permitting, please contact Vanessa Engle.