I’ve photographed events around DC for over a decade, including a lot of Capitol Hill days at DC summits. I’m a photographer, not a permit office, so this is who to call and what each office’s own page says. Whose ground it is decides who gives the permit, and the pages don’t always agree. Check with each office before you plan around any of it. I opened every page linked here on November 12, 2026.
What I ask a client to sort before a shoot on public ground
Permits are yours to arrange. Before the day, I ask for:
- The permit, or the office’s word that you don’t need one.
- Any insurance certificate the office asks for.
- A copy of what was approved, so I plan the shots around it.
The production day checklist covers the rest of the day.
Washington, DC
- Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment. It issues DC’s film permit for public space, and its fee page has a line for still photography. Its FAQ says commercial, non-personal work needs a permit, and that land with “Monument” or “Memorial” in the name is National Park Service ground. Ask about crew size, parking, police and insurance. The certificate names the District as additional insured. film@dc.gov. Film permits
- A small crew on a sidewalk? I couldn’t find an official page that says whether a tripod setup needs a permit. Ask before you assume. DDOT says sidewalks count as public space. DDOT
Federal ground
- National Park Service, National Mall and Memorial Parks. Its permits office covers commercial filming and photography on the Mall and memorials, plus Rock Creek Park, the GW Parkway and the C&O Canal. Headcount includes crew and models, and some memorial areas allow no filming or photography. NPS’s pages give two minimum lead times, 48 hours and four days, so don’t plan on the short one. 202-245-4715. No email applications. NPS permits
- U.S. Capitol Police, Special Events. Commercial filming and photography is on its permit list for Capitol Grounds, and the Architect of the Capitol says a tripod there may need a special permit. Special_Events@uscp.gov, 202-224-8891. The Visitor Center’s FAQ only covers visitors’ cameras, so ask before hiring anyone. Capitol Police
- Smithsonian. The American Art Museum wants commercial photography set up ahead with its public affairs office. I only read that museum’s page, so ask each one. American Art
- Arlington National Cemetery. Public Affairs, 703-614-0024. Its November 2025 media policy asks for 72 hours’ notice and an escort, and reviews for-profit requests case by case. Policy
- Union Station. Commercial filming, photography and drone use need prior written approval from property management. Code of conduct
- Metro. Commercial filming goes through realestate@wmata.com. The page says 30 business days’ notice, no exceptions, insurance on every permit and no flash. WMATA
Virginia
- Virginia Film Office. It doesn’t issue permits but will point you to who does. 804-545-5530. Commercial filming in a highway right of way needs a state permit, coordinated through the Film Office. Film Office
- Arlington County. The filming application goes in at least 10 business days ahead, with insurance documents. The page doesn’t mention still photography, so ask. Arlington
- Alexandria. The city says film requests go through Visit Alexandria, and using a sidewalk or street needs a right-of-way permit from Transportation and Environmental Services, five business days ahead. Visit Alexandria’s Film Office says still photography doesn’t need a film permit but may need other city permits. Filming public space does, 12 business days ahead. Film@VisitAlexVA.com. City permit guidelines, Film Office
- Fairfax County Park Authority. Photographers working for business on park property need a permit, and filming needs a commercial use permit with insurance. Fairfax parks
- Loudoun County. I didn’t find a county permit page. Visit Loudoun says it helps with permit requirements. Visit Loudoun
Maryland
The Maryland Film Office page doesn’t list permit rules, so ask it for the local contact.
- Montgomery County. A permit is required if a production closes or blocks a road or sidewalk, and the page says it can take several weeks. 240-777-6507. Montgomery Parks has its own commercial permits, 301-495-2525. Montgomery County
- Prince George’s County. Parks and Recreation has a filming and professional photography permit for its property. Its form, revised in 2021, says five business days. Look for the current one. Form
Drones
- Drones are strictly prohibited on Capitol Grounds, and Arlington National Cemetery doesn’t allow drone cameras.
- A June 2024 TSA and FAA document says commercial drone flights in DC’s Flight Restricted Zone are prohibited without a waiver. Purely promotional requests, like scenic views, aren’t routinely authorized, and flying outside a waiver can bring civil or criminal action against the pilot, crew and applicant. TSA
- The DC film office can write an aerial support letter but can’t issue FAA waivers. For certification, registration, Remote ID and airspace checks, start at faa.gov/uas. I couldn’t open the FAA’s pages, so I’m not repeating their rules.
Do I need a permit to photograph in DC?
It depends on who controls the spot. DC streets are the film office and DDOT, the Mall and memorials are NPS, and Capitol Grounds are Capitol Police. Visitors photographing their own trip don’t need one. Commercial work usually does.
Can I use a tripod?
It depends on the place. NPS bars them in restricted memorial areas, and Capitol Police may want a permit. For a DC sidewalk, I couldn’t find an official answer.
How far ahead should I start?
When the date is set. Metro says 30 business days, Alexandria 12, Arlington 10, and NPS takes applications a year out.
Can a drone fly on my shoot?
Not near the Capitol, and not casually anywhere in DC’s restricted airspace. Plan on a waiver and lead time.
Do I need insurance?
Most offices above ask for a certificate, and several name themselves as additional insured. Pass each office’s wording to your broker.
Sources
Opened and read November 12, 2026.
- DC OCTFME, film permits, FAQ, insurance, fees
- DDOT, public space permits
- NPS, filming and photography permits, permit FAQs, permit office contacts
- U.S. Capitol Police, activities requiring permits, prohibited items
- Architect of the Capitol, photographing the Capitol Grounds
- Capitol Visitor Center FAQ
- Smithsonian American Art Museum guidelines
- Arlington National Cemetery media policy
- Union Station code of conduct
- WMATA filming
- Virginia Film Office, VDOT filming regulation 24VAC30-151-520
- Arlington County filming, City of Alexandria, T&ES permit guidelines, Alexandria Film Office, locations and guidelines, Fairfax County Park Authority, Visit Loudoun
- Maryland Film Office, Montgomery County film, Montgomery Parks permits, Prince George’s Parks and Recreation form
- TSA and FAA, DC drone waiver instructions (June 2024)
