Photography activities that require a permit or pass:
- Professional photography involving more than five total people.
- Professional photography involving equipment that cannot be carried at all times.
- Commercial photography
- Commercial videography
- Photography by unmanned aerial vehicles or drones (see Drone Permits)
Photography activities that do not require a permit or pass:
- Low-impact filming and photography involving five or fewer total people, using equipment that is carried at all times.
- Amateur photography
Fees
- Still portrait photography daily pass: $40 + tax
- Still portrait photography (annual pass for unlimited sessions): $150 + tax
- Commercial stock photography (advertisement/product): $200 + tax.
- Proof of $1 million in liability insurance naming Dakota County as additionally insured required.
- Commercial video (advertisement/product): $400 + tax.
- Certificate of Liability insurance required. Must include coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate. Insurance must name Dakota County Parks as an additional insured.
- Other commercial photography and videography (large commercial projects): $500, or as determined by the county board.
- Certificate of Liability insurance required. Must include coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate. Insurance must name Dakota County Parks as an additional insured.
Purchasing a permit
Professional still portrait daily or annual pass: Purchase a pass online. Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Daily passes must be purchased on the day of photo shoot.
Advertisement/commercial photography permit: Complete the Commercial Photography Permit Request Form. Permit requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance.
Refund policy
No refund is available on pass or permit purchases.
Photography rules
- All participants must follow park rules found in
Dakota County Ordinance 107 Park Use. Must honor all posted signage. - Trails and park areas may close due to construction, special events, natural resource restoration, etc. Sessions must not interfere with park programming or activities.
- You may not intentionally remove, alter, injure, or destroy any tree, plant or other vegetation, or disturb the soil, or other natural resource.
- You must the yield the right-of-way and not disturb other park and trail users if photography shoot location is on or near a trail or other park use area.
- Parking allowed in designated parking areas only