Road Closures, Traffic Control and Other Special Requests

Requests involving street or sidewalk closures, intermittent traffic control, parking exceptions (i.e. rush hour waivers, parking in "no parking" areas, etc.), police assistance, special effects/pyrotechnics, erecting structures in public space, or other complex requests may require additional permits from other District agencies, and therefore may take longer to process.

When filming a scene that requires street or sidewalk closures or intermittent traffic control, you must have the Metropolitan Police Department Special Operations Division (SOD), and/or District Department of Transportation Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) on location to ensure public safety and assist with the effective flow of traffic. The cost of such assistance, including the applicable personnel expenses (at the standard overtime rates) must be paid in advance by the production company. The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment may assist (upon request) in making arrangements with the respective agencies.
 

Requests for Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Production Support

Please understand that requests for MPD officers are just that -- requests. Because a request is made, it is not guaranteed to be approved. The primary mission of the MPD is public safety. MPD will consider requests to assign officers (at the current overtime rate) to a film shoot for the following reasons:

  1. Police Presence - requesting uniformed MPD officer(s) to be on site solely for a visible presence
  2. ITC - requesting intermittent traffic control--to temporarily and for brief periods of time--close a travel lane(s), or street(s) in order to shoot a scene (must be approved by OCTFME first)
  3. Street Closure - requesting to temporarily close off a street(s) to shoot a scene. This differs from ITC in that the closure will last for the entire duration of the shoot (must be approved by OCTFME first)
  4. Vehicle-to-Vehicle Filming* - requesting MPD officer(s)/car(s) to assist with controlling traffic as a scene is shot using moving vehicles within normal flow of traffic
  5. Safety** - requesting uniformed MPD officer(s) to be on site to protect film crew and/or equipment

* Requests will not be considered during am or pm rush hours (7-9:30 am, or 4-6:30 pm M-F)
** Requests will not be considered on any federal or private property, or for any celebrities (must provide their own security)
 

Complex Requests

Complex requests (e.g. requests involving a great number of officers, multiple street locations, long duration, or any other 'out of the ordinary' requests) will likely require a "sit-down" meeting with MPD and the Film Office. Please contact us to set that up at least two weeks in advance. 

FAA/TSA Airspace Waivers

To apply for a waiver authorization to fly over the Washington DC Flight Restricted Zone (DC FRZ), please first go to the Airspace Access Program waiver application site at https://waivers.faa.gov/aap/te_pages.p_login.

The requester must create an account and provide all the required information. Currently the lead time quoted by the TSA for obtaining a waiver is five (5) business days. That five business days applies only after ALL information is submitted, including our support letter (see below), not taking into account any errors or flags that may be raised. Please contact the TSA for further information at (571) 227-2071, then press ‘2’.