5 Florida Filming Laws You Might Not Know

If you’re a filmmaker that’s planning a commercial film shoot in the Sunshine State, chances are you’re ready to spend a little bit of time preparing yourself for local laws and ordinances that must be followed while you’re there. Florida filming laws vary based on the individual county in which you’re shooting as well as based on unique circumstances relative to your production. Before you book a Florida film shoot, make sure that you’re aware of these 5 Florida filming laws that you might not already know.

1. Florida’s Two-Party Consent Law

If you’re wondering if you can film someone in public without consent while you’re in Florida? It makes sense to familiarize yourself with the rules regarding two-party consent in Florida.

Basically, the two-party consent law states that to legally film and record audio of a conversation taking place you must have consent from both parties being filmed and recorded. Even if it’s in a public location in Florida.

This means you’re going to need signed release forms from those you intend to film.

2. Expectation of Privacy Law

Florida filmmakers must be aware of Florida filming laws where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

The expectation of privacy states that if you are filming someone in a situation in which they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, you must have their consent.

Therefore, in areas where privacy is expected? Such as a locker room, a private bathroom, or in a changing room. You may not film without consent from those who you are filming.

Florida takes this very seriously. So this is one of the most important Florida filming laws to understand and know.

3. Private Property Owner Consent

Filming on private property in Florida? You’ve got to get owner consent before you do!

Florida filming laws require that filmmakers who wish to film on private property seek consent of the owner of such property.

This is done before they can legally record, or use the recordings, in any film project. It includes recording the premises, or the people on the premises.

4. Florida Child Labor Laws

Do you plan on having a commercial film shoot that will include minor talent? Florida child labor laws under FL Statute 450.132(1) state that youth may perform work in the entertainment industry as long as that work does not pose a hazard to their health, morals, education or welfare.

Before you hire minor talent in Florida, make sure that you’re familiar with the rules of child labor which place limitations on working hours, timeframes, and types of work that may be performed.

5. Florida Filming Laws Regarding Live Animals

Want to include live animals as part of your production? Make sure that you’re not baiting live animals or otherwise placing them in harm’s way as part of your motion picture production as this will certainly violate local county codes and ordinances.

Most counties in Florida have laws against the use of animals as bait or in unsafe scenarios for film production and, the majority of Florida filming laws regarding the use of animals in filmed media focus heavily on keeping animals safe. 

As you can see, these are some of the Florida filming laws that you might not have been aware of, but which are very important for you to know ahead of the game.