Filming Permits in Cape Town: What Brands Need Before a Shoot

Cape Town is one of the busiest filming cities in Africa. The City's Film Permit Office reported issuing more than 4,700 film permits in the 2023/24 financial year, with commercials the single biggest category. If your brand is planning a shoot here, the permit question comes up early — and getting it wrong can stop a shoot on the day.

This guide explains when the City of Cape Town requires a film permit, when it doesn't, and how the process works, so you can plan it into your timeline from the brief.

When You Need a Film Permit in Cape Town

The City requires a film permit for commercial film, video and stills shoots that take place on public property. That includes roads and streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches and public buildings.

If any part of your shoot — the camera position, crew, vehicles, lighting or equipment — sits on public property, plan for a permit. Applying for a permit also secures your right to film at that public location.

When You Don't Need One

You generally don't need a City film permit when you film on residential or private property and nothing related to the shoot happens on public property.

The City also exempts filming a wedding ceremony or private celebration, and filming current affairs or news for immediate release.

Note that even personal filming on public property can need a permit if it has a negative impact on residents or the environment. Brand and commercial content is not personal filming.

The Rules Behind It

Filming in Cape Town is governed by the City's Filming By-law, 2024. It requires anyone filming commercially to register with the Film Permit Office and then apply for a permit for the shoot.

Applicants need appropriate indemnity cover for all film-related activities. The by-law also provides for a smaller micro shoot permit for low-impact shoots.

How the Permit Process Works

Step 1: Register with the Cape Town Film Permits Office (CTFPO) as a production company or commercial photographer, using the City's registration and indemnity form, submitted by email to film.permit@capetown.gov.za.

Step 2: Register as a user on the City's online Film Permit System.

Step 3: Apply for a permit for each shoot through the online system, with your locations, dates and what you'll be doing there.

Step 4: The City reviews the application, sets the conditions of the permit and emails the permit once it is approved.

Who Applies: You or Your Production Company?

In most commercial shoots the registered production company handles the application, because it is the party filming. Ask this when you compare quotes, and make sure it is clear who is responsible for permits, location fees and any conditions the City sets.

Locations With Their Own Rules

The City's permit covers public property within the City of Cape Town's boundaries. Shoots in neighbouring municipalities, such as Stellenbosch and the Winelands, fall under that municipality's process.

Land managed by other authorities, such as Table Mountain National Park, has its own filming approvals.

If you plan aerial shots, drone filming has separate requirements under the South African Civil Aviation Authority: commercial drone work needs a licensed remote pilot and an operator with a Remote Operating Certificate.

Plan Permits Into Your Timeline

Permits are not same-day paperwork. The City may need to consult other departments, and shoots that involve road closures, parking, generators or noise can carry extra conditions. Lock your locations early and build permit time into the schedule before you confirm shoot dates.

A Quick Permit Checklist for Brand Managers

Is any part of the shoot on public property — street, sidewalk, park, beach or public building?

Is the location inside the City of Cape Town, or in another municipality or a national park?

Who is registered with the Film Permits Office and responsible for the application?

Is indemnity cover in place for the shoot?

Are drones involved, and is the operator licensed?

Has permit time been built into the schedule?

Shooting in Cape Town

Mushroom Motion has a crew based in Blouberg, shooting brand films, commercials, events and live streams across Cape Town. See our Cape Town video production page or our advertising and commercial work, or send us a brief.

Requirements change, so always confirm current rules with the Cape Town Film Permits Office before your shoot.