Filming in Maplewood, NJ

Welcome to the Township of Maplewood’s resource hub for film, television, and commercial productions.

Whether you're preparing a student short, mini-series or a major motion picture, you'll find everything you need here. Maplewood is proud to be designated a New Jersey Film Ready Community, recognized by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission for being production-friendly, responsive, and well-prepared to support creative work.

Before You Apply

When You Will Need a Permit

A film permit is required if your production:

  • Uses any public property, such as streets, sidewalks, or parks.
  • Obstructs traffic (vehicular or pedestrian).
  • Creates noise, lighting, or safety concerns.

Even if you are filming only on private property, a permit is still required if your activities affect the public in any way.

News Reports

If you are filming a news report, please complete a Special Event Application.

  • For “Is the event being sponsored?”, select Municipal Event.

  • Under “Sponsor Information”, enter the contact details for the news report coordinator.

👉 Click here to apply

Things to Consider Before You Film

Depending on your production’s size and impact:

  • You may be asked to attend a Public Safety Plan Meeting with Township representatives (meeting agenda under "Resources.")
  • Your production must follow designated filming hours (see below).
  • Waivers for certain fees or requirements may be available, but only after your application has been submitted.

Please Note: If a waiver is issued regarding anything beyond fees, such as filming beyond 10:00 PM, you will need to have at least one police officer with a vehicle. Their purpose is to enforce the end time requested, make sure drive ways and other potential code issues aren’t being committed, and to be on site in case residents have any questions, comments and concerns.

If they are able to answer them, they will, otherwise they will speak with the point of contact given by the production.

Filming Ordinance

The Township amended and restated Chapter 125 in full on June 17, 2025 by Ordinance #3160‑25, aligning filming procedures with statewide standards
👉 Read the full ordinance 

How to Apply

Application

The Maplewood Film, Television, and Commercial Project Application is now online.
👉 Click here to apply

Questions? Contact the Township Clerk’s Office at aallah@maplewoodnj.gov or 973‑762‑8120 extension 2103.

Required Documents to Include with Your Application
  • Proof of Insurance Coverage
  • Hold Harmless & Indemnification Agreement
  • Letter of Intent
  • Proof of Notification & Consent Letter (can be submitted up to 3 days before the shoot)
  • Waiver Request (If Applicable)

Consent Letter & Notice of Filming

At least three (3) days before setup, you must:

  • Deliver a Notice of Filming to affected residents and businesses. The extent of the notice is based on the the film's needs. If, for example, the production plans to block off the street, a notice needs to be sent to the entire block notifying them. This will allow businesses and residents to plan accordingly. 
  • Obtain signed Consent Letters from at least 90% of nearby neighbors—including the three adjacent properties and the six properties directly across the street. Signatures are required via:
    • Individually signed letters, or
    • A single form with multiple signatures attached to the written consent notification.   

    Consent Letters must include:

    1. Printed name or business name of the impacted neighbor
    2. Address
    3. Signature

    You may submit the application prior to gathering the required consent letters, but a permit will not be issued until the Township Clerk’s Office receives them.

What to Include in Notices & Consent Letters:

All notices and letters must be on company letterhead and include the following:

  • Address where filming will take place
  • Production contact person and their phone number
  • Date the letter was sent
  • Filming dates, including start and end times
  • The Township's Filming Permit Representative Contact Information
    • Amari Allah (aallah@maplewoodnj.gov | 973-762-8120 ext. 2103)
  • Details Regarding:
    • Type and number of vehicles/on street equipment
    • Where the vehicles/ on street equipment will be parked
    • Whether a police officer will be present
  • A brief summary of: 
    • How State and local COVID regulations will be followed
    • Safety precautions that are being taken
Samples

Sample of Consent Letter (Will Download Word Doc)

Sample of Neighborhood Notice (Will Download Word Doc)

Changes After a Permit Is Issued

To change filming dates/times:

  • Notify the Clerk’s Office.
  • No new application fee is required, but you must cover any additional Township services needed.

Fees & Costs

Application Fee
  • $100 standard
    • $125 expedited (if filming begins within 4 days of applying)
  • $25 discounted fee for student or non-profit projects
    • Fee can be waived if production certifies it will not generate revenue from public exhibition.

Daily Filming Fee

  • $150/day (for productions with a budget under $20 million)

  • $500/day (for productions with a budget over $20 million)

Note: Prep and wrap days are counted as filming days and are included in the daily fee.

No daily fee will be charged if filming remains entirely on private property and does not impact public space—but this must be clearly certified in the application. If violated, the applicable daily fees will be charged retroactively.

In addition, there isn't a daily filming fee for student and non-profit projects. However, they are still required to submit the returnable bond payment and pay for police officers, if required. 

Payment Methods & Fees

You may pay the application and daily fees by ACH, check, exact cash, or credit/debit card.

  • ACH payments: Information will be provided upon request.

  • If paying online, the following are the transaction fees:

    • $1.50 fee for e-checks

    • 2.65% fee for credit/debit cards and digital wallets

Refundable Bond

  • $500 bond to ensure cleanup and cover potential damage.

The bond can be paid by exact cash, check, money order, or by ACH (we cannot accept debit or credit card payments for the bond).

If the applicant chooses to pay by ACH, the paperwork will be sent to the applicant upon request.

Return of Bond

Once the production is finished, the applicant submits a request, and a representative from the Police Department will determine whether any portion of the bond is needed to cover damages. If no deductions are necessary or after necessary deductions are taken, the bond will be returned by check. 

  • Note: Bond returns typically take a minimum of two weeks, usually the Friday after a Township Committee meeting.

Overnight Parking Fee
  • $100/month per vehicle
    Based on the Township’s 24-hour lot rate.

Police Presence

Required for traffic disruption, firearms, smoke effects, or waivers.

The number of police officers required will be determined by the Police Department after your application is submitted:

Hourly Rate
(As Of August 2025)

  • Officer: $95.18/hr

  • Vehicle (if used): $15.00/hr per vehicle

Additional Fees

  • Admin Fee: 2% of officer wages + vehicle charge

  • Jobs4Blue Service Fee: 8% of total cost

Hiring Rules

  • 4‑hour minimum per officer

  • Time is rounded up to the next full hour
    (Example: 4.5 hrs = 5 hrs)

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancel within 2 hours of start time → full 4‑hour minimum still applies (officer only; no vehicle fee if canceled before start)

  • All other fees still apply

Booking

Issuance of Permit

Permits are issued digitally, by e-mail, after public safety plan is confirmed, fees are paid, bond is received, and consent letter(s) are received. 

Rules, Safety, and Enforcement

Filming Hours
  • Filming allowed (without waiver): 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Camera wrap: By 9:00 PM
  • Crew wrap: By 10:00 PM
  • Filming may occur any day of the week with appropriate permits.

Police & Safety Requirements
  • Police officers may be required for:
    • Traffic disruptions
    • Public safety
    • Firearms/smoke effects
  • If using Township electrical infrastructure and your crew lacks a licensed electrician, the Township may require you to hire one.
  • If requesting a film waiver, a police officer will be required to enforce the waiver.  

Waivers

In certain cases, the Township may waive specific fees or requirements associated with your filming application.

Who Can Grant a Waiver?

  • The Township Clerk may waive certain fees, such as the application fee or daily filming fee.

  • The Township Business Administrator may waive requirements or limitations, such as:

    • Filming hours

    • Notification or consent requirements

    • Insurance or safety plan details (rare and situational)

Please note: Waivers for filming are dependent on where the filming occurs. At this time, waivers in residential areas will not surpass a tail lights (the point in time when the crew, cast, and all production equipment and vehicles have left the location) of 12 AM.

There is more leniency available when not filming in residential areas.

How to Request a Waiver:

  • You must first submit your application.

    No waiver requests will be considered until a completed application is on file.

  • Submit your waiver request in writing, explaining:

    • What you are requesting to waive

    • Why the waiver is needed

    • How you will mitigate any impacts on the Township or its residents

Do Waivers Require a Hearing?

  • Most waiver requests do not require a public hearing or Township Committee approval.

  • A hearing may be scheduled if the situation is particularly unusual or sensitive. 

  • A police officer will be required to enforce any waivers issued.

Revoking or Refusing a Film Permit

A permit may be denied or revoked if:

  • Filming violates laws or ordinances
  • Neighbors' property use or quality of life would be unreasonably affected
  • Public safety is at risk
  • Application misrepresents key facts

Permit decisions are based on objective reports from Police, Fire, and Township departments.

Appealing a Permit Denial or Revocation

You may appeal to the Township Committee by:

  1. Submitting a written appeal to the Business Administrator within 10 days of the denial.
  2. Stating your reasons clearly.
  3. Attending a hearing within 30 days.
    If no resolution is adopted within that timeframe and no extension is agreed upon, the denial is reversed, and your permit is granted.

Public Concerns or Objections

Residents or business owners may raise concerns about a current or upcoming film permit by emailing:

Amari Allah, Township Clerk’s Office
Include:

  • Your name and address
  • Preferred contact method
  • Brief description of the concern

All complaints will be reviewed by Township staff in coordination with the Business Administrator.