No person shall film, as defined in this title, on public or private property or airspace within the boundaries of the city, without first applying for and receiving a permit to film as set forth in this chapter. A permit issued under this chapter shall satisfy the license requirements of Title 5 of this code.
(Ord. 1659 § 2, 1999)
A. 
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to noncommercial still photography, or filming or videotaping which is solely for private or family use.
B. 
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to film production occurring solely on the premises of a properly permitted motion picture or television studio.
C. 
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to reporters, photographers or cameramen in the employ of a newspaper, news service, radio or television broadcasting station or similar entity, engaged in on the spot broadcasting, reporting or photographing of news events of general public interest.
D. 
If any of the activities exempted from this provision result in adverse impacts on adjacent properties from, but not limited to, the use of explosions, firearms, bull horns, pyrotechnics, car chases, sirens, lighting apparatuses, filming between the hours of ten p.m. to seven a.m., obstruction or disruption of public access and assembly, they may be abated by the city manager or by his or her designee.
(Ord. 1659 § 2, 1999)
A. 
Applications for filming will be processed through the business license division of the city. A complete film permit application and all applicable attachments shall be submitted to the business license division ten working days prior to filming. The city may, in its discretion, accept any film permit application that is submitted less than ten working days prior to filming where the business license division finds that the provisions of this chapter will be complied with. Film permit applications that the city, in its discretion, accepts less than three working days prior to filming, shall be assessed an urgency fee as shall be adopted by resolution passed by the city council.
B. 
The film permit application shall contain the following information:
1. 
The name, address, and telephone number of the company, group, or person wishing to film;
2. 
The name, address and twenty-four-hour emergency telephone number of person who will be on the film site and in charge of the filming activity and responsible for its conduct;
3. 
The address and location where the filming is to be conducted;
4. 
The type of property to be used for filming;
5. 
The date that the filming will begin and the date that it will end, and the time the filming will begin and the time the filming will end;
6. 
The catering arrangements, if any;
7. 
The number of persons, including cast and crew members, who will engage in filming;
8. 
The number of vehicles that will be involved in filming, the number of parking spaces needed, the names of the streets to be used, and the names of the streets to be posted;
9. 
A brief description of the film production and a description of any special effects or noise sources;
10. 
A list of special requirements, if any;
11. 
Any other information that the business license division shall reasonably require to effect the provisions of this chapter.
C. 
The following documents shall be attached, as herein set forth, to the film permit application, on the forms provided by the business license division, and shall be on file with the business license division prior to the commencement of filming:
1. 
A Scaled Plan. A scaled plan is required for all filming activities that require parking or occupancy of any vehicle, equipment or person associated with the filming activity on the public right-of-way.
2. 
A Permission to Use Property Form. A permission to use property form is required for all filming activities on privately owned property. A signed form provided by the business license division shall accompany film permit.
3. 
A Signature Form. A form containing signatures evidencing approval of the filming of fifty-one percent of all residents and business owners within a minimum of a fifty-foot radius from the exterior boundaries of the film location, unless the business license division finds that properties outside this radius will be impacted by the filming activity, in which case the business license division shall require signatures from fifty-one percent of all residents and business owners within the specific area to be impacted.
4. 
A Notification Letter. A copy of a notification letter to be delivered to all properties within a half-block or two hundred-foot radius, whichever is greater, of the film location. The letter shall be typed as per instructions promulgated by the business license division.
5. 
Student or Nonprofit Certification. A letter from the applicable educational institution or proof of nonprofit status shall accompany the film permit application for those film projects requesting exemption from the film permit fee, and the still photography fee.
6. 
A Certificate of Insurance Form. This form shall state the liability amounts as set forth in this chapter.
7. 
A Hold Harmless Agreement. A hold harmless agreement as set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. 1659 § 2, 1999)
Student and nonprofit films, as defined in this title, are exempt from the film permit fee, and the still photography fee that shall be adopted by resolution of the city council, provided that all provisions of this title are complied with. Student and nonprofit films shall pay a reduced application fee that shall be adopted by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 1659 § 2, 1999)
The business license division shall issue a permit under this chapter when the following findings can be made by the designated permit administrator:
A. 
All conditions and provisions of this title, and all other applicable laws and ordinances are complied with;
B. 
The conduct of the filming activity will not unduly interfere with traffic or pedestrian movement, or tend to interfere or endanger the public peace or rights of nearby residents to the quiet, peaceable and unmolested enjoyment of their property, or otherwise to be detrimental to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare;
C. 
The conduct of such activity will not unduly interfere with normal governmental or city operations, result in damage or detriment to public property, or result in the city incurring costs or expenditures in either money or personnel not reimbursed in advance by applicant;
D. 
The conduct of such activity will not constitute a fire hazard and all proper safety precautions will be taken;
E. 
The conduct of such activity will not require the diversion of such large numbers of police officers to properly police the activity so as to interfere with the normal level of police protection in all areas of the city.
(Ord. 1659 § 2, 1999)
The city reserves the right to revoke film permits and filming privileges if the provisions of this chapter, or any other applicable laws or ordinances are violated. The city reserves the right to revoke filming privileges if circumstances arise during the course of shooting which are, in the city's opinion, deleterious to the rights of its residents or businesses or are in any way too dangerous to the health, safety or welfare of the community. The police department, code enforcement officers, or the city manager or the city manager's designated representative will suspend any filming operation not authorized by permit or when permit conditions, or any other applicable laws or ordinances, are violated. The business license division shall have authority to impose conditions on any film permit pursuant to Section 5.12.030 of this title. The following provisions apply to those persons filming within the city:
A. 
All applicable federal, state, county and local laws and ordinances shall be obeyed by the cast and crew of the film company and by any independent contractors retained by the film company.
B. 
All persons filming shall at all times during filming maintain liability insurance, which designates the city as beneficiary, in the amounts of one million dollars general liability, one million dollars automobile coverage, and shall maintain the federal and California statutory limits for worker's compensation insurance.
C. 
A signed and written agreement shall be executed by the film permittee whereby the permittee guarantees to indemnify the city and hold the city harmless against any claims, liability or judgments arising out of the permittee's activities.
D. 
A letter from an educational institution or proof of nonprofit status shall be submitted for those projects that claim fee exemption or reduction as student or nonprofit films.
E. 
The film permittee shall obtain the approval of fifty-one percent of all residents and businesses within a minimum of a fifty-foot radius from the exterior boundaries of the film location, unless the business license division finds that properties outside this radius will be impacted by the filming activity, in which case the business license division shall require approval from fifty-one percent of all residents and businesses within the specific area to be impacted.
F. 
A notice of intent to film shall be delivered by the applicant to all affected properties within a one-half block or two hundred-foot radius, whichever is greater, of every filming site not less than seventy-two hours prior to the arrival of the production company equipment. This notice requirement may be reduced to twenty-four hours for small, one-day shoots upon a finding by the business license division or designated permit administrator that the filming will have an insignificant impact on residents and businesses. The notice shall contain the name of the production company and production manager's and/or location manager's phone number. Proof of the noticing shall be submitted to the business license division prior to receiving approval to shoot. For multiple unit dwellings or office buildings, proof of notification to the apartment or condominium or building manager shall be deemed sufficient.
G. 
Pedestrian and vehicular access to homes and businesses may not be blocked without the prior written consent of the parties being impacted. Proof of the consent shall be submitted to the licensing division prior to receiving approval to shoot. Caterers shall not be permitted to provide catering services on any public right-of-way, unless the business license division, designated permit administrator, code enforcement officers, or Hawthorne police officers find that pedestrian and vehicular access and circulation to homes and businesses will not be affected.
H. 
No filming may take place on public property without the presence of at least two police officers of the Hawthorne police department. The business license division, in consultation with the chief of police or designee, shall have the authority to require that more than two police officers be present where a finding is made that a greater number of police officers are necessary to effect the provisions and goals of this chapter. No filming may take place on private property without the presence of at least one police officer of the Hawthorne police department. The business license division, in consultation with the chief of police or designee, shall have the authority to require that more than one police officer be present where a finding is made that a greater number of police officers are necessary to effect the provisions and goals of this chapter. The business license division, in consultation with the chief of police or designee, shall also have the authority to require additional security personnel approved by the Hawthorne police department, to work alongside and under the supervision of the police officer assigned to the film permit location.
I. 
Special permission, which the city reserves the right to withhold, is required for:
1. 
Filming before seven a.m. or after ten p.m.;
2. 
Filming involving excessive noise due to volume, duration or kind (e.g., explosions, gunfire), including that from generators;
3. 
Filming involving pyrotechnics, flames, explosions, crashes and other similar "on location" special effects;
4. 
Filming on any city-owned property.
J. 
All production vehicles and vehicles of the cast and/or crewmembers shall be visibly identified with the name of the production company. Such identification shall be placed on the windshield or dashboard of all vehicles while on location.
K. 
Film companies will be required to restore all property to its original condition and to remove all litter generated during the course of shooting prior to leaving all film locations each day.
L. 
The city of Hawthorne shall be included in production credits for filming on city property, including the airport, parks and city streets. The city requests that it be included in production credits when fining takes place on private property, whether commercial or residential.
(Ord. 1659 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1982 § 1, 2011)