[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of Parsippany-Troy Hills 6-25-2019 by Ord. No. 2019:28. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following term shall have the meaning indicated:
FILMING
The taking of still or motion pictures, either on film, videotape, digital or similar recording medium, for commercial purposes intended for viewing on video receivers, television, in theaters, the Internet or for institutional use. Filming for the purposes set forth in § 160-10, Exemptions, shall be excluded from this chapter.
A. 
No person, firm, organization or corporation shall film or permit filming within the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills without:
(1) 
Obtaining an application for permit therefor;
(2) 
Obtaining the required approvals; and
(3) 
Filing the completed/approved permit, together with the applicable permit fee to the Township at least 10 calendar days prior to the first date that filming is to take place.
B. 
Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills filming permit applications may be obtained from the office of the Township Clerk during normal business hours. Application for such permits shall be in a form approved by the Township Clerk and shall be accompanied by a permit fee in the amount established by resolution of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
C. 
The following information shall be included in the permit application:
(1) 
Locations of filming;
(2) 
Proposed duration of filming, including date(s) and hours; subject to the final approval of the Township Clerk as to the final filming schedule within the Township and subject to the requirements of this section;
(3) 
Amount of space required on public streets/highways/sidewalks, etc.; and
(4) 
Contact information of applicant, including the on-site person.
(5) 
If filming is conducted on private property, proof of the property owner's consent to film.
A. 
The Township Clerk may refuse to issue a permit whenever he/she determines, on the basis of objective facts and after a review of the application and a written report thereon by the Police Department and by other Township departments involved with the proposed filming site, that filming at the location and/or the time set forth in the application would violate any law or ordinance or would unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of adjoining properties, or in the opinion of the Police Department would unreasonably impede the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or otherwise endanger the public's health, safety or welfare.
B. 
The Township reserves the right to require one or more on-site police officers in situations where the proposed production may impede the proper flow of traffic, the cost of said officers to be borne by the applicant as a cost of production. Where existing electrical power lines are to be utilized by the production, an on-site licensed electrician may be similarly required if the production company does not have a licensed electrician on staff.
A. 
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Township Clerk denying or revoking a permit or a person requesting relief pursuant to § 160-4 herein that has been denied by the Township may appeal to the Township Administrator or his or her designee. A written notice of appeal setting forth the reasons for the appeal shall be filed with the Township Clerk.
B. 
An appeal from the decision of the Township Clerk shall be filed no later than 10 calendar days from the date of the denial or revocation of the permit. The matter shall be decided by the Township Administrator upon the written record unless a hearing is requested. Any hearing shall be conducted informally by the Township Administrator, and the formal rules of evidence shall not apply. The decision of the Administrator shall be issued within 45 days from the date of the notice of the appeal. Such decision is final and appealable to the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey.
A. 
Copies of the approved permit will be sent by the Township Clerk to the Police Department and Fire Safety Bureau before filming takes place. Copies shall be sent to any appropriate New Jersey state agencies, including the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
B. 
The applicant shall notify the Police Department and the Fire Safety Bureau 24 hours before filming takes place, and shall permit the Police Department and the Fire Safety 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 Township inspectors, including but not limited to the Police Department and the Fire Safety Bureau.
In addition to any other fees or costs mentioned in this chapter, the applicant shall reimburse the Township for any lost revenue, such as parking meter revenue, 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 shall be set forth by resolution of the Township Council.
Any person violating this chapter or these rules and regulations, or the rules and regulations located on the permit application form as set forth in § 160-11 upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $2,000 per day or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
A. 
The filming of news stories within the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills by individuals and/or legitimate entities or organizations for purposes of journalism or news reporting;
B. 
Filming by one individual using a hand-held camera without the assistance of other persons, or filming by one or more individuals for weddings, religious occasions, and other family or social private parties, occasions, events, or functions;
C. 
Filming by a student in grade school, middle school, high school, college, university or other bona fide educational institution upon receipt by the Township Clerk of a written certification from a teacher or administrator at the school attended by the student stating that the filming is for educational purposes only and is not intended for commercial use;
D. 
Filming for authorized municipal government purposes as may be authorized by the Township Council or the Township Administrator.