As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FILMING
The taking of still or motion pictures either on film or
videotape or similar recording medium, for commercial or educational
purposes intended for viewing on television, in theaters or for institutional
uses. The provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to include
filming of news stories or public and private events within the Township
of Franklin.
MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
Any film which is financed and/or distributed by a major
motion picture studio, including, but not limited to the following:
B.
Warner Brothers, including New Line Cinema, Castle Rock Cinema,
Village Road Show and Bel-Aire.
C.
Paramount, including MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movie.
D.
20th Century Fox, including Fox Searchlight.
I.
Any film for which the budget is at least $10,000,000.
J.
Recurrent weekly television series programming.
PUBLIC LANDS
Any and every public street, highway, sidewalk, square, public
park or playground or any other public place within the Township which
is within the jurisdiction and control of the Township of Franklin.
[Amended 3-14-2023 by Ord. No. 4397-23]
Filming in residential zones shall be permitted Sunday through Saturday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., provided that all requests for the hours between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. are subject to the provisions of §
185-8. The setup, production and breakdown required by all filming shall be included in the hours as set forth herein.
The Township Manager may authorize filming during the hours
between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. In determining whether to allow an
extension of hours under this section, the Township Manager shall
consider the following factors:
A. Traffic congestion at the location caused by vehicles to be parked
on the public street.
B. Applicant's ability to remove film-related vehicles off the public
streets.
C. When the applicant is requesting restrictions on the use of public
streets or public parking during the course of the filming.
D. Nature of the film shoot itself: e.g., indoors or outdoors; day or
night; on public or private lands.
E. Prior experience of the film company/applicant with the Township,
if any.
F. Consultation with the Council-Ward representative wherein the filming
is to take place.
G. Limited noise and artificial light are used during the hours between
9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
[Amended 3-14-2023 by Ord. No. 4397-23]
Copies of the approved permit will be sent to the Police and
Fire Departments before filming takes place and to the New Jersey
Film Commission and the Somerset County Filming Commission. The applicant
shall permit the Fire Prevention Bureau or other Township inspectors
to inspect the site and the equipment to be used. The applicant shall
comply with all safety instructions issued by the Fire Prevention
Bureau or other Township inspectors.
In addition to any other fees or costs mentioned in this chapter,
the applicant shall reimburse the Township for any lost revenue, such
as repairs to public property or other revenues that the Township
was prevented from earning because of filming.
The schedule of fees for the issuance of permits authorized
by this chapter is as follows:
A. Basic filming permit: $75. Where an applicant requests a waiver of the provisions of §
185-3A, requiring expedited processing of the permit application, the basic filming permit shall be $125.
B. Daily filming fee payable in addition to the basic filming permit:
$50 per day.
C. Daily filming fee payable for major motion picture: $500 per day.
D. Filming permit for nonprofit applicants for educational purposes
(no daily rate required): $25.
Any person violating this chapter or these rules and regulations,
upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding
$1,000 per day. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each
day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.