8 Best Permit Free Filming Locations in Austin, Texas

Filming in Austin, Texas is certainly a welcome opportunity where there’s literally something for every kind of film producer. While permits are required if you’re going to film anywhere in public. Including within any of Austin’s parks, roadways, or public places they are free of charge. Provided you can prove that you have appropriate insurance coverage. If you’re looking for the best permit free filming locations in Austin, you’re going to have to consider something a bit more…private.

Fortunately, Austin is home to literally hundreds of unique, and private, filming locations that don’t require a permit. We’ve listed the top 8 best permit free filming locations in Austin below.

1. Shady Hollow Estates

If you’re looking to film a fantasy, there’s no better place in Austin than Shady Hollow Estates. This picturesque estate sits on 1.5 acres of Renaissance style gardens with a swimming pool, Medieval cottage, and koi ponds in addition to unique marble statues and lush gardens abound.

2. The Broken Spoke

Looking for a good o’le fashioned American themed location that you can shoot at? The Broken Spoke is ideal for any shoot that is intended to share the feeling of a down home Austin Bar scene. Best of all, there are no permits necessary!

3. Domain Northside

At Domain Northside, filmmakers can get the best of Austin through shopping, gourmet dining, and entertainment venues. Moreover, several of the private facilities within Domain Northside welcome filmmakers. And since it’s privately owned, there is no permit required.

4. Trash Mountain Ranch

Situated just outside city limits with 88-acres to enjoy, Trash Mountain Ranch provides filmmakers with plenty of greenspace to shoot as well as indoor spaces that are ideal for a variety of productions.

Visit the ranch for an exciting film shoot. Also, best of all, Trash Mountain is one of the best permit free filming locations in Austin.

5. Saint Mary Cathedral

Although you’ll have to work around scheduled Mass times and other church related events. Filming at Saint Mary Cathedral in Austin is an amazingly unique opportunity for any filmmaker interested in drawing attention to a film scene in a traditional Catholic cathedral. 

6. Bird’s Barbershop

With locations throughout Austin to choose from, filming inside Bird’s Barbershop is a unique opportunity to capture the traditional American barbershop feel in your production.

Choose from a variety of eclectic location styles to film within and capture the true essence of the barber shop experience.

7. Lone Star Ranch Austin

Ideal for a picturesque shoot in Austin’s outdoors, Lone Star Ranch is a great location for filming along trails. And provides an ideal location if you intend to have horses in your production. Various events and camps take place at the Ranch throughout the year so plan ahead!

8. Blackerby Studios

A unique location in Austin that features ample recording space, a grand piano and amazing acoustics, Blackerby Studios is an amazing venue and there is no permit needed to film.

Finally, make sure that you consider this one of the top permit free filming locations in Austin if you’re going to film indoors!