Filming & Photography at the Market

Commercial Filming

Including all commercial purposes, stock images, advertising, promotion, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: No filming will be permitted on weekends or holidays. 

All commercial filming or photography must be authorized by the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA). Film productions that align with Pike Place Market’s mission and brand values receive priority. Our mission as stated in the Market’s charter is to support farmers and food retailing as well as local, independent businesses. The PDA reserves the right to approve or deny permits.

To begin a request for commercial filming or photography, please complete a filming application at least 15 business days prior to your intended start date. 

Complete a Filming Application

Steps for Submitting an Application

Step 1: Review Location Guidelines
Please review our Location Guidelines here.

Step 2: Understanding Our Charter
All requests are evaluated on an individual basis. Film/Photography productions that align with Pike Place Market’s mission and brand values receive priority. Our mission as stated in the Market’s charter is to support farmers and food retailing as well as local, independent businesses. The PDA reserves the right to approve or deny permits.  

Step 3: Understanding Pike Place Market Trademark
The Pike Place Market PDA (Preservation and Development Authority) owns trademark rights to the entire Pike Place Market. This includes but is not limited to:

• The Pike Place Market Name (and associated names)
• The Public Market Center Clock & Sign
• The Public Market sign
• Iconic Market Imagery that can associate a shot or filming to the Market

The PDA is committed to protecting the use of Pike Place Market trademarks. Use of the PDA’s trademark on any products or to promote products or businesses is expressly prohibited unless a licensing agreement has been approved by the PDA Council. This includes the use of photos or video taken within the Market or of the Market for anything other than personal use, including images that are sold/considered for commercial use after the fact. All commercial filming or photography taken in the Market requires a filming permit obtained in advance.

To learn more about trademark rights and usage on our Trademarks & Licensing page

Trademark & Licensing

Step 4: Providing Certificate of Insurance and Paying Associated Fees
If your project is approved, production will be responsible for providing a certificate of insurance, signing the Pike Place Market filming contract, and paying associated fees. Requirements for insurance will be listed on the contract.

Payment Portal

Paid Social Media Influencers

If you are a hired photographer or videographer, or you are planning on hiring a social media or YouTube influencer you will need to complete a commercial filming application.

Complete a Filming Application

Wedding Photography

If you are a hired photographer, or you are planning on hiring a photographer, or you plan to sell or profit off of any photos that you take you will need to complete a photography application.

Complete a Filming Application

Personal Photography

Visitors are welcome to take photos and video for personal use on a visit to the Market.

Anything other than personal use or with more than one handheld camera requires a filming permit from the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA).

In consideration of public safety, tripods are not allowed within the nine-acre historic district for personal use.

Drones or Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV)

Due to public safety concerns and liabilities, hobbyist, commercial, and noncommercial drone use within the Pike Place Market Historic District, specifically, the launching, landing, and operating of Unmanned Aircraft Systems ( UAS ) on the private property operated by the Pike Place Market PDA is strictly prohibited without prior, written authorization from the Pike Place Market PDA and the City of Seattle. This includes, but is not limited to the following commercial filming use of UAS:

• UASes that take off or land on City-owned property (streets, sidewalks, and parks); and
• UASes flying over City-owned property and requiring control of (blocking or impeding) vehicle or pedestrian traffic

All UAS use is subject to the City’s laws of general applicability, such as Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 12A.06.050 which states that a “person is guilty of reckless endangerment when he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person.”