How Much Do Film Locations Pay in New Jersey? A Property Owner's Guide

How Much Do Film Locations Pay in New Jersey?

If you own property in New Jersey and have ever wondered whether the film industry could put money in your pocket, the short answer is yes — and often more than you might expect. Filming location fees in New Jersey typically range from $2,000 to $20,000 per day depending on the property type, size, location, and the scale of the production.

New Jersey has quickly become one of the hottest filming destinations on the East Coast. With state tax credits extended through 2049 and major studios like Netflix building a 1.1 million-square-foot campus at Fort Monmouth, the demand for unique filming locations in the Garden State has never been higher. That demand translates directly into revenue opportunities for property owners — from commercial landlords to homeowners.

What Determines Your Location Fee?

Several factors influence how much a production will pay to film at your property. The most important factor is your location relative to New York City. Properties within the union zones — particularly the SAG-AFTRA zone (8 miles from Columbus Circle) and the IATSE/DGA zone (30 miles from Columbus Circle) — command premium rates because productions save significantly on crew travel and overtime costs.

Property type also plays a major role. Commercial spaces like office buildings, warehouses, and hotels tend to earn higher daily rates than residential homes simply because they offer more square footage and fewer disruption concerns. A large corporate lobby or industrial warehouse might command $10,000 to $25,000 per day, while a residential home typically earns $3,000 to $8,000 per day.

The production’s budget matters too. A major Netflix or HBO series has a very different location budget than an independent film or a commercial shoot. Feature films and premium television series are typically the highest-paying clients.

What Spaces Are Productions Looking For?

Productions need a wide variety of spaces — not just picture-perfect mansions. Some of the most in-demand location types in New Jersey right now include corporate offices and lobbies, warehouses and industrial spaces, hospitals and medical facilities, residential homes with character, waterfront properties, restaurants and retail spaces, and parking lots and rooftops. Even common areas in apartment buildings and commercial properties — hallways, stairwells, atriums, parking garages — can generate significant revenue without disrupting tenants.

Beyond the Daily Rate

The location fee is just the starting point. Many property owners earn additional income from prep days (when the crew sets up before filming), strike days (when they break everything down), and hold days (when they reserve your space but may not actively film). These typically pay 50-75% of the full shooting day rate.

Productions may also pay separately for utilities, parking for their trucks and equipment, and any minor modifications they need to make to the space. All of this is negotiated upfront in a location agreement, so there are no surprises. For a full walkthrough of how the process works, see What to Expect When a Film Crew Wants to Use Your Property.

How Reset Locations Works with the Industry

Reset Locations is a film location brokerage that works hand-in-hand with location scouts and managers to connect them with properties they might not otherwise be able to access. We are not here to replace scouts — we work alongside them. Many of the scouts and location managers we partner with tell us that we help them get into properties they have been trying to access for years.

Our value comes from the relationships we have built and maintain with high-level property owners and decision-makers — corporate landlords, institutional asset managers, and private owners who are not easy to reach through cold outreach. Every property in our database is one we have cultivated a real relationship with, not something we Googled on demand.

Scouts also value working with us because we manage the property owner relationship throughout the entire process. Property owners are often nervous, skeptical, and unsure of what to expect when a film crew wants to use their space — and that uncertainty can kill a deal. We stay in close coordination with both sides from the first inquiry through wrap day, making sure the owner feels informed and comfortable while the production gets the access they need without friction. That hands-on coordination is a big part of why deals close smoothly and why both scouts and owners keep coming back to us.

For property owners, listing with Reset Locations is free. We earn a commission only when a booking happens, so our interests are fully aligned with yours. We handle the negotiation, contracts, insurance coordination, and logistics so you can focus on your business while your property earns revenue.

Ready to Learn More?

If you own property in New Jersey and want to explore what it could earn as a filming location, list your location with Reset Locations or contact us at (917) 757-0841. There is no cost to list, and no obligation. We will scout your property, photograph it, and make it available to the scouts and productions that are actively searching for locations in New Jersey right now.

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