How Early Can You Start Rolling? NYC’s Legal Hours & Community Expectations
You’ve got a 7:00 AM crew call, sunrise light, and a director who wants to roll by 8:01.
But it’s 6:15 AM, your cube truck just woke up the block, and there’s already a guy in sweatpants filming you for the Citizen App.
So… how early can you legally start shooting in NYC?
Here’s what your permit actually allows — and what your neighborhood won’t.
🕗 The Official Legal Hours from MOFTB
Per the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment (MOFTB), standard permitted filming hours on public property are:
Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Weekends: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
(unless otherwise noted on your permit)
These hours apply to active production activity — meaning camera rolling, equipment operation, generators, lighting, and street occupancy.
TL;DR: If you’re on a public sidewalk at 6:45 AM with a generator humming and a 1st AC setting marks, you’re early — and at risk.
⏰ About That 6:00 AM Start Time
Here’s the nuance productions often miss:
MOFTB can approve start times as early as 6:00 AM — but only when explicitly requested and clearly listed on your permit.
This typically happens for:
Sunrise-dependent shoots
Winter daylight constraints
Tight location windows
Non-residential or industrial areas
Even then, a 6:00 AM “start” usually means early access, not full-scale production.
What’s generally allowed at 6:00 AM (when approved):
Quiet load-in
Interior prep
Parking already held
Battery-powered work
What usually is not approved at 6:00 AM:
Generators firing up
Cube trucks idling on residential blocks
Loud lockups or PA calls
Exterior lighting spilling into apartment windows
December permits often allow more flexibility due to limited daylight — but that does not make 6:00 AM a standard year-round rule.
If your permit doesn’t explicitly allow a 6:00 AM start, assume standard hours apply.
🚧 Lockups & No-Parking Signage: When Can You Start?
Street holds and “Film Shoot – No Parking” signage come with their own rules:
Signs must be posted at least 48 hours in advance
Posting should occur during reasonable daytime hours
Your permit must explicitly include parking requests
Posting signage overnight or pre-dawn can put your hold at risk of being challenged, ignored, or removed — especially in residential neighborhoods.
If signage is questioned, civilians may legally park in those spots, and enforcement may side with them.
📢 What the Community Actually Tolerates
Here’s the catch: even if you’re operating within permitted hours, neighborhoods don’t care.
Common early-morning friction points:
Generator noise at 7:01 AM
Trucks idling while crew eats bagels
Bright HMU lights facing bedroom windows
PAs calling lockups before sunrise
All of this may be technically legal — but if a neighbor calls 311 or emails MOFTB, you’re officially on the radar.
And yes, you will end up on the Citizen App with a caption like:
“Film crew making noise on my block again 🙄🎥”
🧠 What Happens If You Push It Too Early?
311 complaints get logged against your production
Future permits may face increased scrutiny or denial
NYPD precincts may be less willing to support lockups
Community trust erodes — and access goes with it
Repeat issues are noted internally, and some locations quietly become unavailable to productions after consistent early disruptions.
✅ Best Practices to Avoid Getting Shut Down Before Sunrise
Keep crew call at 7:00 AM or later unless your permit explicitly allows earlier access
Park trucks the night before, not at 6:00 AM
Use battery power or block heaters to avoid early generator use
Keep lockup PAs on whisper mode in residential areas until after 8:00 AM
Drop courtesy letters with a contact number — it matters more than you think
Have a site rep or Location Manager on-site to handle early complaints in person
📍 Exception: Private Property Shoots
If you’re shooting entirely on private property and not occupying sidewalks or curbs, you may begin earlier — as long as you’re not violating NYC noise ordinances.
That said, idling vehicles, generators, and exterior lighting can still trigger enforcement even on private property if they disturb the surrounding area.
If your gear spills onto public property, you’re back in MOFTB territory — and subject to the same restrictions.
Final Word: You Can’t Make Your Day If You Start by Losing the Block
In NYC, you’re not just working with your crew — you’re working in someone’s neighborhood.
Even if your permit allows a 6:00 AM start, community tolerance at that hour is thin.
Start smart. Start quiet. Start legal.
Want support managing early starts, signage, or community relations?
White Wall Locations helps productions stay compliant, respectful, and off the radar — with experienced location management, site reps, and lockup teams who actually know the rules.
We protect your permit — and your reputation.
