A city filming permit has nothing to do with people only public spaces. A Permit is permission from the city to film on the public spaces the permit is good for- typically the sidewalk in front of an address you specify.
People you must get their permission either on a person by person basis or if it's really background you can get away sometimes with posting signs warning of filming in progress and stating if you pass the sign you give consent to be filmed. But check with your lawyer on this before you do anything.
Private businesses/homes you must get permission and possibly pay a fee to the owner, depending on the city and how much it's been filmed.
Make some calls man and visit the city websites for permits, this stuff doesn't produce itself. :)
-Noah
Writing
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