The Village of Montebello, with its picturesque vistas, historic
homesteads, ponds, hills, florae and fauna, has been the recipient
of filming requests ranging from independent to major studios and
educational video and filmmakers. Thus, it behooves the Village to
make that asset available under regulated conditions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FILMING
The taking of still or motion pictures for commercial or
educational purposes, intended for viewing on television, in video
games, on cable television, on the Internet or in theaters or for
institutional use, including the use of any public lands to facilitate
same. Filming shall include setup and breakdown time. Filming of news
stories within the Village of Montebello shall not be subject to the
provisions of this chapter.
MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
Any film which is financed and/or distributed by a major
motion-picture studio. The term "major motion picture" shall also
include any film for which the budget is at least $500,000; any recurrent
weekly television series programming (such as for HBO, Showtime, Cinemax),
made-for-TV motion picture, any commercial, video game, or made-for-cable
television movie.
PERSON
An owner of property, or any applicant for a permit under
this chapter.
PRIVATE LANDS
All other areas within the Village of Montebello, other than
public lands, including areas zoned for residential as well as business
use.
PUBLIC LANDS
Any and every public building, street, highway, sidewalk
or square, public park or playground, or other public place within
the jurisdiction of the Village of Montebello.
The schedule of fees for the issuance of permits authorized
by this chapter is as follows and shall be paid in advance of the
issuance of a permit, in cash or by bank or certified check:
A. Basic filming permit: $250 (two or more days) or $150 (one day). Where an applicant requests a waiver of the notice provisions of §
83-4B, the basic filming permit fee shall be $500.
B. The daily filming fee for a major motion picture as defined in this
chapter shall be $250 per hour, with a minimum of four hours.
C. The filming permit for nonprofit applicants filming for educational
purposes (no daily rate is required) shall be $100.
D. In addition to any fees or costs mentioned in this chapter, the applicant
shall reimburse the Village for any lost revenue, such as repairs
to public property.
E. In addition to any fees or costs mentioned in this chapter, an administrative
fee in the amount of $500 shall be paid at the time the permit is
issued.
F. Fees may be adjusted from time to time by resolution of the Village
Board in its discretion, which shall appear in the Village's
Schedule of Fees.
Any person violating this chapter or the rules and regulations
contained therein shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a
fine not exceeding $1,000 per day and/or forfeiture of the security
deposit or maintenance bond posted in connection with the issuance
of a filming permit. Where the owner of the premises is not an applicant,
the owner and the applicant shall each be liable for violations of
this chapter. As to private property, this chapter shall be enforced
by the Building Inspector, and as to public property, this chapter
shall be enforced by the Police Department of the Town of Ramapo.
This chapter may also be enforced by direct action of the Board of
Trustees or its designees. The following acts shall constitute prima
facie violations of any filming permit:
A. Unauthorized street closings.
C. The use of equipment and/or vehicles not disclosed on the application.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the filming
of news stories by media personnel.