Drone & Aerial Filming

To fly a drone in Alexandria, these documents must be obtained: a City of Alexandria government letter of support, federal waivers from the FAA, and a City of Alexandria Film Permit.  

To be considered by the City of Alexandria and the FAA for the necessary approvals is a lengthy review process that requires at least one month at the local and federal levels.  

The City of Alexandria is situated within Washington, D.C.’s Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) based on the proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, “flying an unmanned aircraft within the 15-mile radius inner ring is prohibited without specific FAA authorization.” 

Local government support from the City of Alexandria is required to obtain FAA waivers. The City of Alexandria reviews drone applications and provides support on a case-by-case basis, generally for large economic development projects. City of Alexandria support is extremely rare. 

Depending on the nature and location of filming, you may be required to notify residents or businesses before filming and/or obtain supplemental permits in addition to a Film Permit. For all other City of Alexandria permits other than the Film Permit, the applicant must coordinate those via the City’s permitting system, APEX. Examples include filming in a park, reserved parking, street closures, etc. 

Payment for Film Permit Application & Film Permit Fees – If you are based in the U.S., use the online payment system. If you are based outside of the U.S., please contact Melanie Fallon at (703) 838-4725 or [email protected] to arrange payment. 

Fees are not refundable. 

• $30 Film Application Processing Fee – Payment for the review and processing of your application. Please complete payment when you submit your application. 

• $100 Film Permit Fee – Payment for the issuance of a film permit, following review and approval of your application.  

• Additional costs – Depending on the scale and scope of your film project additional permits and or fees may be required. Examples include temporary reserved parking, street and sidewalk closures, noise, filming in a public park, and security/public safety measures. 

Commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $5 million per occurrence is necessary for all drone filming on City property.  

An ACORD certificate of insurance naming the City of Alexandria (301 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314) as the certificate holder must be received and verified by the Alexandria Film Office before an Alexandria Film Permit can be issued. 

An application for a filming permit may be denied if: 

• There is potential that resource damage or impairment of their value would occur that cannot be mitigated or restored. 

• There is potential for unreasonable disruption of, or conflict with, the public’s normal access to and use and enjoyment of the site(s) being requested. 

• The requested activity would place unreasonable burdens on city staff, regardless of the applicant’s willingness to pay assessed cost recovery. 

• There is likelihood that the activity poses health or safety risks to the public or crew. 

• The requested activity will violate Federal, State, or local laws or regulations. 

• Other activities are already planned or expected to occur at the same location. 

• It involves access to areas normally designated closed or limited to administrative use for resource or safety reasons. 

• The production crew is unwilling or unable to provide proof of insurance or reimburse the city for costs or fails to satisfy a material condition of the permit. 

• The applicant has had a prior permit revoked within the past year due to non-payment of fees, destruction of city property or facilities, and/or infractions of prior permit terms including, but not limited to, making false or misleading statements. 

FAA Drone Registration 
Federal Aviation Administration 
DC Flight Restricted Zone 
Transportation Security Administration 
Visualize it: See FAA UAS Data on a Map (arcgis.com)