MOME Film Permits and TV Series Drone Filming in New York City (2026)

Episodic television differs from a one-day shoot in one important way for permitting: it runs over extended schedules. When a TV series adds aerial drone photography in New York City, it operates under both the NYPD drone framework and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) film-permit framework — and the MOME fee structure is tied to shooting periods, which matters across a long production. This guide uses only the official MOME and NYPD rules.

Two Permits for Episodic Drone Work

When commercial filming — including a TV series — 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 a Series Usually Needs 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 vehicles. Episodic productions routinely do all of these. 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 a TV series flying drones, both paths usually lead to the same answer: a MOME permit is required.

The Fee Across an Extended Schedule

The MOME fee is $500 per consecutive 14-day shooting period, or portion thereof. For a series that shoots intermittently over weeks or months, this structure means the film-permit cost scales with the shooting calendar — not a single flat fee. On the NYPD side, each permit application covers up to five date/time/location combinations for $150; a series with many distinct aerial setups may therefore file multiple NYPD applications, each carrying its own $150 fee. Map your full production calendar against both fee structures during budgeting.

Lead Time and Repeat Applications

File each NYPD drone permit application at least 30 days before the relevant flight. A series shooting repeatedly may qualify as a repeat applicant, allowing a 14-day timeline if every operator was listed on a permit issued within the prior 180 days and none were revoked — useful for an episodic schedule. There is no fee discount for repeat applications; the timeline simply shortens.

Insurance and On-Set Compliance

MOME requires its own insurance documentation, which may differ from or exceed the NYPD requirement; the City of New York must be named as Additional Insured on applicable MOME policies, as it must on the NYPD-required $2M/$4M aviation liability policy. Verify current MOME insurance minimums with MOME. On each shooting day, carry both the MOME film permit and the NYPD drone permit. MmowW does not endorse any specific insurer.