MOME Film Permits and Commercial / Advertising Drone Shoots in NYC (2026)

Advertising and branded commercial shoots are exactly the kind of production the city's film-permit framework is built for. Add a drone, and you are operating under two regimes simultaneously: the NYPD drone framework and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) film-permit framework. This guide explains how commercial and ad drone work is handled, using only the official MOME and NYPD rules.

The Two-Permit Reality for Commercials

When commercial filming involves drones, operators commonly need two independent permits at the same time:

Apply for both simultaneously — do not wait for one before applying for the other. MOME and the NYPD may communicate directly to coordinate, and MOME may request your NYPD drone permit number.

Why Commercials Almost Always Need a MOME Permit

Under MOME's rules (9-01 and 9-02), a film permit is required when a production uses City property and asserts exclusive use; uses prop weapons, prop vehicles, stunts, or actors in police uniform; or requests parking privileges beyond personal cars, minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks. Commercial and advertising shoots characteristically do these things — they stage scenes, control locations, and bring production vehicles. On top of that, drone operations often trigger MOME requirements on their own because the equipment package (control stations, monitors, generator-powered charging, support vehicles) typically exceeds the hand-held exemption. For commercial drone work, both factors usually point to the same conclusion: a MOME permit is required.

The Hand-Held Exemption (and Why It Rarely Applies)

A MOME permit is not required for productions using only hand-held cameras or cameras on tripods, not asserting exclusive use of City property, not using prop weapons/vehicles/stunts/police-uniform actors, and not requesting parking privileges. In principle a minimal shoot could fall within this exemption — but a commercial drone production almost never does, because the drone rig alone tends to exceed hand-held scale. Evaluate your full equipment footprint honestly rather than assuming the exemption.

Insurance and On-Set Documents

MOME requires its own insurance documentation, which may differ from or exceed the NYPD drone permit requirement, with the City of New York named as Additional Insured on applicable policies. The NYPD permit separately requires $2,000,000 per occurrence / $4,000,000 aggregate aviation liability insurance naming the City as Additional Insured. Verify current MOME insurance minimums directly with MOME. On the shooting day, carry both the MOME film permit and the NYPD drone permit. MmowW does not endorse any specific insurer.

Budgeting a Commercial Drone Shoot

• NYPD drone permit: $150 per application (up to five date/time/location combinations).
• MOME film permit: $500 per consecutive 14-day shooting period (or portion).
• Aviation liability insurance at $2M/$4M, plus any additional MOME-required coverage.
• Part 107 certification and FAA registration for the operators and aircraft.
• Lead time: file the NYPD permit at least 30 days ahead (14 days for qualifying repeat applicants).