MOME Film Permits and Music Video Drone Filming in New York City (2026)

Music videos are among the most location-driven productions shot in New York City, and aerial drone photography is a signature of the genre. That combination puts a music video squarely inside two permitting regimes at once: the NYPD drone framework and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) film-permit framework. This guide explains how MV drone work is handled, drawing only on the official MOME and NYPD rules.

The Two Permits

When commercial filming — including a music video — involves drones, operators commonly need two independent permits at once:

Apply for both simultaneously; MOME and the NYPD may coordinate directly, and MOME may request your NYPD drone permit number.

Why Music Videos Usually Need MOME

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 vehicles. Music video shoots frequently stage scenes on City property and control locations, which asserts exclusive use. Separately, drone operations often trigger MOME requirements because the equipment package — control stations, monitors, generator-powered charging, support vehicles — typically exceeds the hand-held exemption. For an aerial music video, the MOME permit is usually required on one or both of these grounds.

The Hand-Held Exemption Rarely Fits MV Drone Work

A MOME permit is not required for productions using only hand-held cameras or tripods, not asserting exclusive use, not using special elements, and not requesting parking. A stripped-down handheld music video could fall within this exemption — but the moment a drone enters the picture, the equipment footprint usually grows past hand-held scale, and the typical desire to control a striking NYC location adds an exclusive-use trigger. Evaluate the full footprint of your shoot rather than assuming the exemption applies.

Airspace Still Governs the Aerial Look

Permits do not override airspace. The most photogenic Manhattan backdrops sit in 0 ft AGL LAANC ceiling cells, where automated authorization is unavailable. If your treatment calls for sweeping Midtown aerials, the binding constraint may be the FAA airspace rather than the permits — consider locations in higher-ceiling areas (such as parts of Staten Island, eastern Queens, or southeastern Brooklyn) when planning the aerial sequences, and always check the FAA NOTAM search for TFRs.

Insurance and On-Set Documents

MOME requires its own insurance documentation, which may differ from or exceed the NYPD requirement, with the City of New York named as Additional Insured. 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 with MOME. On the shooting day, carry both permits. MmowW does not endorse any specific insurer.