Film permitting in King County

Learn about the permits you need to film in King County.

A film crew setting up equipment at Harbor Island Studios.

How do I get a permit to film in King County?

King County Owned Property

For permit inquiries related to filming on King County properties including roads, parks, ferry, libraries, Metro, and facilities, please contact RES.permits@kingcounty.gov.

Completion of a Special Use Permit is required for filming at King County-owned properties. A fee waiver form is included here as well.

For permit inquiries related to filming at Harbor Island Studios

As of July of 2026 King County leased Harbor Island Studios to Create48 and they are currently managing the studio. Please visit the Harbor Island Studios website or email their team directly: kirk.nordenstrom@create48.org and kris.flink@create48.org

For questions related to filming at any King County-owned parks

Please contact their Regional Scheduling team directly:

Regional.Scheduling@kingcounty.gov

For questions related to filming with King County Metro

Please contact: Camilo Panuela (cpenuela@kingcounty.gov)

For questions related to filming in Unincorporated King County

Please contact the Department of Local Services:

Rey Sugui (Rey.Sugui@kingcounty.gov)

For permit inquiries related to filming in locations owned by other governmental entities within King County (Port of Seattle and WA State Ferries).

For permit inquiries related to filming on Washington State ferries, please contact:

Tierra Russell (tierra.russell@wsdot.wa.gov )

For permit inquiries related to filming at the Port of Seattle, please visit:

https://www.portseattle.org/page/filming-port

Privately owned locations

A King County film permit is not required to film on privately owned locations. Research King County property ownership.

For any additional inquiries please contact creativeeconomy@kingcounty.gov.