Film Snoqualmie Valley

Permits

Four permit paths, depending on where you're shooting.

Snoqualmie Valley spans three incorporated cities and a large unincorporated county area, each with its own film permit process. Pick the jurisdiction that matches your location — if your shoot crosses a boundary, you'll need a permit from each.

Online film permit application

City of Snoqualmie

When to choose this

Choose this if you are shooting anywhere inside Snoqualmie city limits — including downtown Snoqualmie, the Snoqualmie Falls overlook park, Railroad Avenue, and residential areas north of the Snoqualmie River.

How to apply

Submit the Film Permit Application through the city's online Form Center. The form is the official intake — it routes to city staff who coordinate with police, parks, and public works as needed.

Form Center • Film Permit Application

Contact the Permit Center

City of North Bend

When to choose this

Choose this if you are shooting inside North Bend city limits — including downtown North Bend, North Bend Boulevard, Mount Si viewpoints within the city, and the Twin Peaks filming locations along Bendigo Boulevard and W. North Bend Way.

How to apply

North Bend does not publish a standalone film permit form. Start by contacting the Community & Economic Development Department — staff will walk you through the right permit path for your scope (right-of-way, parks use, or special event).

North Bend Permit Center

Special event permit

City of Carnation

When to choose this

Choose this if you are shooting inside Carnation city limits — including the Carnation townsite, the Tolt River frontage, and locations along Tolt Avenue or the Duvall-Carnation Road corridor.

How to apply

Carnation uses its Special Event Permit for commercial filming within city limits. Download the form from the city's documents page, complete it, and return it to Carnation City Hall for review.

Special Event Permit Application

King County Film Office

Unincorporated King County

When to choose this

Choose this if your shoot is on unincorporated King County land — including county roads, regional parks, and rural areas outside any city boundary. Much of the valley's open farmland, forested hillsides, and river corridors fall under county jurisdiction.

How to apply

The King County Film Office manages permitting for unincorporated areas. Visit their film permitting page for an overview of requirements, then contact the office directly to begin your application.

King County Film Permitting

How the permit process works

The exact form and turnaround differ between Snoqualmie and North Bend, but the overall flow is the same in both cities. Plan for at least two to four weeks for a straightforward shoot inside one city, longer for road closures, the Falls, or multi-jurisdiction scopes.

  1. Identify the jurisdiction your shoot falls in.

    Confirm whether your location is inside Snoqualmie city limits, North Bend city limits, or on land outside both (unincorporated King County, state park, federal land, or private property). If your shoot crosses a city line, you need a permit from each city.

  2. Choose the right intake.

    Snoqualmie has an online Film Permit Application through the city's Form Center. North Bend handles film permits through its Permit Center; there's no standalone form, so contact the Community & Economic Development Department to start.

  3. Submit your application or initial inquiry.

    Provide shoot dates, locations, scope, crew size, equipment, vehicles, road or sidewalk impacts, and any special elements (drones, pyrotechnics, road closures, amplified sound). Attach a certificate of liability insurance naming the city as additionally insured.

  4. Coordinate with city staff on conditions.

    City staff route the application to police, parks, public works, and right-of-way as needed. Expect questions about traffic control, parking, neighbor notification, and timing. Shoots near the Falls also coordinate with the Snoqualmie Tribe.

  5. Receive your permit and confirm conditions before crew call.

    Once approved, the city issues the permit with any specific conditions (hours, equipment limits, restoration requirements). Review with your production manager and locations team before the first shoot day.

Not sure which city you're in?

The valley spans three incorporated cities and a large unincorporated county area. A quick rule of thumb: the Falls overlook park, Railroad Avenue, and the historic rail depot are Snoqualmie; downtown North Bend, the original Twin Peaksdiner (Twede’s), and the Mount Si trailheads are North Bend; the Tolt River corridor and townsite along Tolt Avenue are Carnation; and most of the valley’s open farmland, forested hillsides, and rural roads fall under unincorporated King County. If your shoot crosses a boundary, plan for a permit from each jurisdiction. For state parks, federal land, or private property, contact the committee and we’ll point you to the right office.

Committee line: 425.888.6362