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Film Permit Policy and Application

Thank you for choosing the Town of Princeton for your upcoming film project. The Office of the Selectboard will help make your job as easy as possible while you are visiting. These guidelines are designed to assist you with the Film Permit process.

About Film Permits

  • A Film Permit must be approved in advance by the Princeton Selectboard in order to film or photograph any commercial, motion picture or advertisement within the Town of Princeton
  • Changes to an approved permit require proper local approvals with updated information
  • The filming of news events concerning persons, scenes or occurrences of general public interest, filming and still photography by a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and/or a project with on-site personnel numbering 5 persons or less does not require a film permit but may require other local approvals

Requirements

Fee

  • $100 per day of filming
  • Non-profits and town residents may request a waiver or fee reduction from the Selectboard
  • Check should be payable to Town of Princeton

Certificates and Indemnification

  • General Liability Insurance Certificate in the amount of at least one million dollars per occurrence naming the Town of Princeton as an additional insured
  • Indemnification Agreement completed and signed by an Authorized Agent for the Production Company

Notifications and Permission

It is the responsibility of the Production Company to notify all business and residential tenants who will be affected in any way by filming. Permission to use private property must be granted in writing by property owners, landlords, and property management companies before filming commences

Security Deposit or Establishment of Municipal Deposit Account

Requirement for Payment of Costs Incurred

The Production Company is responsible for payment to the Town of Princeton for any costs incurred in service to the production that are beyond the ordinary duties of town personnel and/or usage of town-owned equipment. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Town employees’ labor (charged at the benefited wage rate) and/or materials utilized in direct connection with the production
  • Costs payable to the Town Police Department for such services as providing traffic control, security work, etc.
  • Other costs may be incurred and will be dealt with on a case by case basis between the Town and the Production Company with the understanding that the production will not create costs for the Town

Security Deposit Check versus Municipal Deposit Account

The Town requires any Film Production Company to either (at Production Company’s election) provide a security deposit check to the Town Treasurer or establish with the Town Treasurer, a separate municipal Deposit Account to cover the costs of any unpaid bills. One Hundred percent (100%) of the Production Company’s estimated costs will be placed in the Deposit Account or provided as a security deposit for settlement of Town services.

Calculation of Estimated Costs: Estimated Cost Deposit Amount 100%

Police Dept. ________________________

Fire District _________________________

Highway Dept. ________________________

Other Services: _______________________

Total Estimated Costs: ________________________

Insufficient Funds

In the event the Deposit Account or Security Deposit (as applicable) does not pay for Town services and/or labor, the Town will bill the Production Company for additional costs. Any surplus remaining in the Account upon completion of the production and payment for all town services and/or labor will be returned to the Production Company within 30 days.

Before Submitting Application

  • Applicant must fully complete and sign the film permit application
  • Applicant must obtain all the required approvals

Submit

  • Required fee
  • Signed application and any additional documentation
  • Submit to the Selectboard's office at 6 Town Hall Drive, Princeton MA
  • Allow 10 business days prior to the Selectboard's scheduled meeting at which the Film Permit approval will be voted

Upon Approval of the Film Permit

The Selectboard will appoint one or more individuals to the following roles:

  • Film Permit Contact: A town official granted the authority to make impromptu decisions related to the Film Permit if needed
  • Film Permit Point Person: An employee of the municipality responsible for coordinating the Town’s permit process, and the Production Company with police, fire, and other departments
  • Film Liaison: A person who may assist as described above but may also help with locations, hotels, logistics, etc.

Questions

The by-laws of the Town of Princeton and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall govern the Film Permit. Should you have any questions regarding permits, fees, or jurisdictions, please call the Town Administrator at 978-464-2102.

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