When a production needs exclusive use of public space, like a sidewalk or a park, it generally requires a film permit. From 2023 to 2025, NYC Open Data records 16,024 approved permits across much of the city.
Each permit's location was split into individual blocks and matched to the city's LION street network, resulting in 5,042 street segments. The busiest segments, defined here as the top 2% (104 blocks with at least 38 appearances each), account for about 39% of total street-level activity.
Greenpoint and Midtown Times Square show up repeatedly, likely reflecting nearby production studios in North Brooklyn and Midtown's concentration of famous streets and commercial corridors that are friendlier to film on.
Map · Permit heavy blocks
Key
Data source: NYC Open Data film permits, 2023–2025. Street segments are ranked by permit_count. The context layer (creamy warm white) includes every segment with at least one permit; the highlight color and the slider emphasize the top 2%.
Percentages and slider metrics are based on permit-linked street segments, not unique permit events. A single permit can link to multiple blocks.
Neighborhood labels use Census neighborhood tabulation areas and are shown here for Greenpoint and Midtown, including Times Square.
Basemap © CARTO, © OpenStreetMap contributors.