Filming in Brighton & Hove: permits and fees
Brighton & Hove manages filming permits across the seafront, the Lanes, North Laine, and the South Downs coastal edge.
Who issues permits
Brighton & Hove’s filming team handles applications for council-controlled streets and open spaces. The Palace Pier and seafront amusement areas are privately managed with separate permissions required.
Process
Apply via Brighton & Hove’s filming service with at least five working days notice. Seafront shoots require coordination with the seafront management team. Road closures in the Lanes need three weeks due to restricted access constraints.
Fees
Standard council filming fees. Seafront access charges may apply for larger shoots with vehicles on the promenade.
What’s covered
Streets including the Lanes and North Laine, the seafront promenade as a public highway, Brighton and Hove beach as public beach, council parks including Preston Park, and council civic buildings.
Typical restrictions
Palace Pier and the Brighton i360 are privately managed. Tourist months (June–September) limit practical shooting windows in the Lanes. Seafront drone operations require CAA authorisation and council agreement.
Contact
Apply on the Brighton & Hove website → brighton-hove.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Brighton & Hove City Council issues filming permits for its area. Applications go through the council's filming / events team — not the local parks department or police, although those may also be consulted.
- How long is the lead time?
- Allow at least 5 working days. Complex applications involving road closures, drone use, or multiple locations need more — plan 2–4 weeks ahead where possible.
- What's the typical cost?
- Brighton & Hove City Council quotes filming fees case-by-case based on scale, duration, and public-realm impact. Small documentary crews are often charged an admin fee only; feature-film shoots involving road closures cost meaningfully more.
- What does this permit cover?
- The permit typically covers streets, parks, outdoor, commercial. Private property and other national-body land (e.g. Crown Estate, National Trust, Royal Parks) may need separate consent.
- How do I apply?
- Apply via Brighton & Hove City Council's filming page at https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/filming. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.