Fairfax County offers a rich variety of landscapes from which to choose - from the lake fronts and rivers to farmland and wetlands to forests and fields. You will also find architecture that spans the centuries from colonial to modern as well as recreational facilities including golf courses, tennis courts, pools and spray parks.

All professional videographers are required to obtain a commercial use permit. With the permit you will have a scheduled use of the park area, avoiding conflicts with other groups and events.

How to Apply for a Commercial Use Permit

• Please allow a minimum of five business days to process the application and fees.
• Complete the Commercial Use of Parkland Permit Application. Submit the completed application by email toFCPAParkPermits@Fairfaxcounty.gov or fax 703-653-7021.
• Your request will be reviewed for approval, and you will be notified to pay applicable fees.
• Payment must be received prior to issuance of the permit. Payments may be made by check by mail or credit card during regular business hours. Please do not email credit card information.
• Once payment and the COI are received, you will receive a confirmation email that will serve as your permit. Please bring your confirmation email with you to your filming session.
• FCPA does not provide staff for access outside of the locations’ business hours. All filming must take place during locations’ business hours.

Fees

• The standard rate is $350 per day (or any portion)
• The nonprofit commercial use fee is $100 per day.
• FCPA staff member may be required to work during the shoot. - $35 per hour/person.
• Any applicable Area Rental rates
• Additional charges may be applicable as determined by FCPA.
• Other permits for shelters, business activity licenses, and more may be obtained at Park Use Permits.

Why Film at Fairfax County Parks?

Just wanted to follow up with you and thank you again for all of your help in setting up the National Geographic shoot at Frying Pan! We had a wonderful time there last week and got some great footage. [Frying Pan Farm Park Staff] were so accommodating and generous with their time.

I work with clients and locations all over the country. This month, I had the opportunity to work with members of the Fairfax County Park Authority staff for a shoot with one of our clients.

I have to tell you that my work with your staff was one of the best experiences I’ve had setting up locations for video shoots. [The staff] were awesome to work with. They have great attitudes, were very responsive and flexible, and helped me put together two shoots in a very quick time frame, so that I could be responsive to my client’s demands. Their help was invaluable in making sure we could do what we needed on a very compressed schedule.

[Staff at Lake Fairfax Park] was also great to work with. He was very accommodating and gave us wide latitude on filming days, but checked in periodically to make sure everything was okay and see if there was anything we needed.

My experience with the Park Authority was outstanding and I will certainly be recommending Fairfax County Park Authority as a location partner to my colleagues, both here at VIVA Creative, and in the wider DC metro area video production community.