As of Aug 13 2008, it appears that you won't need a permit to use a tripod in NYC as long as you're also not taking up more than 1/2 of the sidewalk. Note the definition of "handheld devices"
(MORE: http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/downloa...ules_final.pdf)
The following activities do not require that a permit be obtained pursuant to this
chapter:
(i) Filming, photography, production, television or radio remotes occurring on City
property, as described in subdivision (a) of this section, involving the use of handheld devices as defined in paragraph three of subdivision (a) of § 9-02, (A) if such activity does not involve ... exclusive use of one or more lanes of a street or walkway of a bridge or (B) if such activity does not involve the assertion...of exclusive use of more than one-half of a sidewalk or other pedestrian passageway...
AND paragraph three of subdivision (a) of § 9-02 says:
(3)“Hand-held devices” shall mean (a) film, still or television cameras, videocameras or other equipment which are held in the photographer's or filmmaker’s hand and carried at all times with the photographer or filmmaker during the course of filming, or (b) tripods used to support film, still, television cameras or videocameras...
So since handheld photography equipment is allowed, and tripods are defined as being handheld, then you don't need a permit for tripod photography as long as you're leaving 1/2 of the sidewalk free for pedestrians.
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