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The Northshore Visitor Guide

Film Permit Requirements

All productions, general B-roll, student films and commercial photography productions shooting in St. Tammany Parish must obtain permission from the property owner and its governing authority. To help Visit The Northshore track economic activity of the industry, we ask that all productions complete a permit application, even if they are not required to obtain a Parish permit. 

If filming in unincorporated St. Tammany, Lacombe, or Bush, the production is required to obtain a permit from St. Tammany Parish Government, while those filming entirely within the city/town limits of Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Madisonville, Folsom and Abita Springs need only obtain a permit from that city/town. If you don't know the governing authority, email the location address(es) to Roberta@VisitTheNorthshore.com to check jurisdiction.


Permit Requirements for Locations under St. Tammany Parish Government Jurisdiction

  1. Film Permit Application - completed at least five (5) days prior to the first day of filming. 
  2. Certificate of Insurance (COI)
    1. Text for additional insured section: "St. Tammany Parish Government, its agents, and all its entities, 21490 Koop Dr., Mandeville, LA 70471"
  3. Location agreement(s), signed by a representative of your production and the location property owner(s).
  4. Fee payment, if applicable, as confirmed by the Film Manager ($100), paid to St. Tammany Parish Government.
  5. Detailed schematic of each production location, showing filming areas, base camp and parking.
  6. Neighborhood notice, informing neighbors to the location about your production.
  7. Drone Operator's License (copy), if applicable
    • Productions are required to use only FAA-certified drone operators and to ensure that the operator complies with FAA regulations.

All attachments may be uploaded with the application or, if unavailable at the time of application, emailed later to Roberta@VisitTheNorthshore.com. Roberta will email the primary contact in 2-4 business days to confirm receipt and request an additional information that may be required. We understand the fluidity of film production schedules; keep us updated with changes.

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Governing Authorities for Certificates of Insurance

For productions filming in St. Tammany Parish, please include the following language in the additional insured section of your Certificate of Insurance (COI), based on the jurisdiction of your location(s):

  • Unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, Bush, Lacombe or Sun: St. Tammany Parish Government, its agents, and all its entities, 21490 Koop Dr., Mandeville, LA 70471
     
  • Abita Springs: The Town of Abita Springs, its agents, and all of its departments, 22161 Level St., Abita Springs, LA 70420
     
  • City of Covington: The City of Covington, its agents, and all of its departments, 317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington, LA 70433
     
  • Folsom: The Village of Folsom, its agents and all of its departments, 82378 June St, Folsom, LA 70437
     
  • Madisonville: The Town of Madisonville, its agents, and all of its departments, 403 St Francis St., Madisonville, LA 70447
     
  • Mandeville: The City of Mandeville, its agents, and all of its departments, 3101 East Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70448
     
  • Pearl River: The Town of Pearl River, its agents, and all of its departments, 39460 Willis Alley, Pearl River, LA 70452
     
  • Slidell: The City of Slidell, its agents and all of its departments, 2055 2nd St., Slidell, LA 70458
     
  • Sun: The Village of Sun, its agents and all of its departments, 30285 Lock No 3 Rd, Sun, LA 70463


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Neighborhood Notifications

Productions filming in residential or mixed-use areas must provide advance written notice to affected residents and businesses. Standard notice is required no later than 72 hours prior to prep or filming activity.

Notification distribution should reflect anticipated traffic flow and operational impact rather than a fixed radius. Notices must be delivered to properties directly adjacent to filming activity and placed at key intersections and along streets where vehicle or pedestrian movement may be affected.

If filming includes elevated activity such as overnight work, significant lighting, extended traffic control, simulated gunfire or special effects, additional advance notice may be required at the discretion of Visit The Northshore and/or St. Tammany Parish Government. 

Productions may use their own established notification form provided it includes all required information and is submitted for review prior to distribution. You may also use our template. 
 

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Filming on St. Tammany Parish Government Property

Permission to film in areas owned and operated by St. Tammany Parish Government is permitted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the scope of the production. This includes the grounds and parking areas of Camp Salmen Nature Park, Kids Konnection Playground, and the Tammany Trace hike/bike path. This does not include Tammany Trace trailhead facilities in Slidell, Covington, Mandeville (Lafitte Street), or Abita Springs which are city properties and require permits from the city or town.

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Filming in Louisiana State Parks

Filming in Fontainebleau State Park and Fairview-Riverside State Park require a permit from the State of Louisiana. Click here to download the Louisiana State Park Film & Photo Policy. St. Tammany Parish Government does not require a permit for productions operating solely within the parks; however, please complete our online application so we can provide support for your production and track economic activity.
 

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Filming on Federal Property

Filming, photography and audio recording on lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—including Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge—are subject to federal regulations designed to protect wildlife, habitats and visitor experiences. In many cases, casual photography or small-scale filming that uses handheld equipment and does not disrupt wildlife or other visitors may not require a permit. However, larger productions, commercial filming, the use of models, props or specialized equipment, or activities that require exclusive access to a location may require a Special Use Permit and advance coordination with refuge staff.

For full details on federal requirements and when permits may be needed, please refer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's guidance for Filming, Photography, and Audio Recording in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

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