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Home My WebLink About26-0016 - 2026-01-27 - Informal ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 26-0016 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 27, 2026 1 �a 1XIN G Page 1 of 3 1134 x� SUBJECT: NOTIFICATIONS FOR FILMING AND STREET CLOSURES 1875 This Informal Report provides an overview of the film permit process in Fort Worth and outlines new steps the City is taking to improve communication with residents and businesses regarding filming activities that require street closures or otherwise impact the community. Overview of the Fort Worth Film Commission Established in 2015, the Fort Worth Film Commission supports the local film industry by connecting filmmakers with resources, locations, and local talent. Key services include: - Film Location Services: Assistance identifying and securing suitable filming locations. - Production Support: Guidance on permits, insurance, and logistical needs. - Resource Directory: A listing of local industry professionals and support services. More information on popular filming locations is available at www.fortworth.com/film/locations. Filming Permits Within City Limits Permit and insurance requirements vary by location. When any portion of a City street or sidewalk within the public right-of-way will be restricted or closed, a Street Use Permit from the Transportation & Public Works (TPW) Right -of -Way team is required. Applicants must follow the Special Events Street Use Policy & Process and submit: - Synopsis of the filming project - Event site plan - Traffic control plan - Street Use Permit fee of $250 Eligibility Criteria Temporary street closures may be approved when: - The closure does not interfere with necessary traffic circulation or emergency routes. - The closure is determined to be in the public interest. - Interstate highways or frontage roads are not involved without TxDOT approval. Additional Requirements Applicants must also provide: - On -site Fort Worth Police Officers, if required - Staffed barricades (18 years or older) - Certificate of Insurance naming the City as additional insured for $1,000,000 - Signed Special Events Agreement - Restroom plan for cast and crew - Notification letter to all affected businesses and residents ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 26-0016 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 27, 2026 1 pa 1XIN G Page 2 of 3 1134 x� SUBJECT: NOTIFICATIONS FOR FILMING AND STREET CLOSURES 1q�t rn { 1875 Event Holder Notification Requirements The event holder must provide written notification (English and Spanish when appropriate) to all residential, nonprofit, and commercial properties within a one -block radius of the closure. Notices must include: - Event dates - Schedule of activities - Times and locations of street restrictions Event holders are responsible for addressing questions or concerns from affected stakeholders before a permit is issued. Notification Best Practices City staff reviewed filming permit and notification practices in Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, Houston, and Charlotte and found the following similarities and difference: Similarities: Across all cities, the main similarity is that filming activities that impact public property or the public right-of-way (streets/sidewalks), especially involving traffic control or street closures, generally require a permit and coordination with city departments. Differences: The biggest differences are in how residents are notified and the formality of the requirements. - Austin relies on direct door -hanger notification for nearby properties - Nashville has some of the strongest resident protections with required community notice and signature thresholds for closures - Los Angeles (FilmLA) uses a centralized professional notification service - Atlanta emphasizes clear closure timelines tied to emergency and stakeholder coordination - NYC leans more toward official notice through community boards and government channels - Dallas supports communication with standardized city templates - Charlotte stands out for offering opt -in "Notify Me" alerts - Houston focuses more on registration, insurance and police coordination for traffic impacts, with less centralized resident notification The attached chart provides additional information for the cities researched. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 26-0016 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 27, 2026 1 pa 1XIN G Page 3 of 3 1134 x� SUBJECT: NOTIFICATIONS FOR FILMING AND STREET CLOSURES 1q�t rn { 1875 New City -Led Neighborhood Notifications To enhance transparency and ensure consistent communication, the City will begin sending notifications to all registered neighborhood organizations within a one -mile radius of upcoming filming -related street closures. The Community Engagement team will distribute this information and post updates on Nextdoor. This is similar to the current notifications issued for zoning cases, West Nile positive testing and prescribed fires. This new notification plan will ensure that residents receive up-to-date information for closures in and around their neighborhoods. Staff will also evaluate options for adding Special Event closures to postings of City Street Closures related to construction. A future update will outline the recommended approach and implementation timeline. For any questions, please contact Lauren Prieur, Transportation and Public Works Director, at Lauren. Prieur(a)fortworthtexas.aov or Michelle Gutt, Community Services Manager, at Michelle.Gutt(a.fortworthtexas.aov. Jesus "Jay" Chapa City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS Who issues / manages film City permits? City of Austin (ROW Austin, TX permitting + Austin Film Commission guidance) Filming Permits + Resident Notification / Street Closure Requirements (Combined Chart) What triggers Street/ROW permit? closure process Filming on ROW/public property; closures; blocking sidewalks ROW permit for impacts to streets/sidewalks Radius/who Signatures Notification method Lead time must be notified required? City -run alerts? Not fixed in Door -hanger notification the form; Adjacent / Not specified; for proposed ROW film required impacted property Not specified production signage permits adjacent to during owners & often used property permit residents process Metro Filming/events 2 weeks Yes —66% of Nashville requiring Metro Temporary street Required community prior Affected residents affected Nashville, Office of Film & coordination; parks closure permit notification; copy must be (temporary within closure residents Not specified TN Special Events have separate process submitted with permit street footprint (temporary street /Metro permits closures) closures) permitting 96 Public property Includes affected Mayor's Office Full closure permit business Only in filming; barricades; property owners + Atlanta, of Film & with advance Permit -driven notice to hours special/sensitive stunts; emergency Not specified GA Entertainment submission affected stakeholders minimum situations (not lane/street/sidewalk services +ATL DOT timelines for full universal) closures coordination closures Who issues / managesfilm What triggers Street/ROW Radius/who Signatures City permits? permit? closure process Notification method Lead time must be notified required? Los Angeles, FilmLA Public property Central closure CA (multiple LA filming + high -impact permitting via (FilmLA) jurisdictions) activities FilmLA Varies by permit type Notice of Filming (not distribution via FilmLA (in- specified person + email) on summary page) Defined area around filming site Not specified NYC Mayor's Notice goes to Office of Media Managed through Official notice to New York Filming on city Not community board and permit system + community No City, NY property/ROW specified district manager + Entertainment city agencies boards/official channels officials (MOME) City -run alerts? Notification service is the primary alert tool Via official district/community channels City of Dallas Filming on public Office of property; Closures treated Not Uses official notification Impact area Dallas, TX Special Events lane/street/sidewalk as permit triggers specified templates (incl. street defined by city Not specified Not specified (Commercial impacts closure template) process/template Filming) Who issues / managesfilm What triggers Street/ROW Radius/who Signatures City permits? permit? closure process Notification method Lead time must be notified required? City -run alerts? Houston Film Public property If traffic impacted Commission + 4 police officers Not centralized in film FAQ; Houston, filming; traffic Not TX control/lane blocking specified city agencies required for traffic agency/permit Not specified Not specified Not specified (HPD / events / triggers city staffing control per film coordination driven parks) guidance Charlotte ROW Filming; Closure requires Use + Permit process includes Charlotte, street/sidewalk detour plan & Not Charlotte closure Not specified NC closures require emergency specified Regional Film postings/communications Commission ROW permit coordination