The purpose and intent of this chapter is to attract commercial
filmmaking and photography, while also enabling the Township of Mount
Laurel to regulate activities within the Township to protect the community
from negative implications of such activities.
As used in this chapter, these terms shall have the following
meanings:
EDUCATIONAL/STUDENT FILM
A motion picture, television picture, or still photography
produced to satisfy a course or curriculum requirement at an accredited
educational institution. A student filmmaker must supply proof of
current enrollment at an accredited educational institution.
FILM
A motion picture, television picture, streaming production,
commercial, videotape, or other similar visual recording which involves
a series of moving images intended for commercial or entertainment
purposes.
FILMING
The taking of still or motion pictures either on film, videotape,
or similar recording medium, for any purpose intended for viewing
in movie theaters, television, streaming services, social media platforms,
or for any other commercial purpose. This term shall not include family
videos and photography and news media, as defined in or otherwise
provided for in this chapter.
MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
Any film financed, produced, and/or distributed by a major
motion picture studio, corporation, or streaming service for presentation
in movie theaters or on streaming services, provided that the film
has a cumulative budget of, or exceeding $2,000,000.
MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION PICTURES, OR STILL PHOTOGRAPHY
All activities associated with the staging and/or shooting
of a film or taking of single or multiple photographs for commercial
purposes where the photographer, cameraperson, or person recording
the activities sets up stationary equipment in any one location for
longer than five consecutive minutes.
NEWS MEDIA
Photography, recording, or videotaping for the purpose of
a television broadcast, streaming service news program, online news
outlet, or reporting for print or other digital media by reporters,
photographers, or camerapersons.
PUBLIC LANDS
Any area or building within the jurisdiction and control
of the Township of Mount Laurel, including, but not limited to, any
public street, highway, bridge, sidewalk, park, playground, public
building, public facility, and any other public place.
Filming for a major motion picture, as defined in §
75-2 of this chapter, may be granted an exemption from the day limitations provided in §
75-3B. At discretion of the Township, days necessary for setup and preparation may be counted as a filming day when setup will involve one or more of the factors provided in §
75-6 of this chapter.
Any person violating this chapter shall, upon conviction in
the Municipal Court, be subject to a fine not exceeding $500. Each
day a violation is committed or continued shall constitute a separate
offense.