"Charitable films"
shall mean commercials, motion pictures, television, videotapes, digital recording or still photography produced by a nonprofit organization, which qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as a charitable organization. No person, directly or indirectly, shall receive a profit from the marketing and production of the film or from showing the films, tapes or photos.
"Film, motion picture, television, still photography"
shall mean and include all activity attendant to staging or shooting commercial motion pictures, television shows or programs, commercials, digital media, and student films produced to satisfy a school course requirement at an educational institution in any medium including film, tape or digital format.
"News media"
shall mean the photographing, filming or videotaping for the purpose of spontaneous, unplanned television news broadcast or reporting for print media by reporters, photographers or camerapersons.
"Studio"
shall mean a fixed place of business certified as such by local fire authority having jurisdiction where filming activities (motion or still photography) are regularly conducted upon the premises.
(Ord. 5870-B § 1, 2017)
A. 
Permit Required. No person shall use any county owned or controlled or private property, facility or residence in the unincorporated area of the county of Placer for the purpose of taking motion pictures, television, commercials, digital content, or still photography for commercial use, without first applying for and receiving a film permit pursuant to this article.
B. 
Exemptions.
1. 
News Media. The provisions of this article shall not apply to or affect reporters, photographers or camerapersons in the employ of a newspaper, news service, or similar entity engaged in on-the-spot print media, publishing or broadcasting, of news events concerning those persons, scenes or occurrences which are in the news and of general public interest.
2. 
Personal/Family Video. The recording of visual images (motion or still photography) solely for private personal use, and not for commercial use.
3. 
Studio Filming. Filming activities (motion or still photography) conducted at a studio.
(Ord. 5870-B § 1, 2017)
A. 
Issuing Authority. The permit issuing authority shall be the Placer County executive office, through its division of economic development, Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office. The issuing authority shall provide for the issuance of filming permits and will act as the key liaison for coordinating filming permits with other county departments and offices. The issuing authority will be required to make decisions as the county representative prior to and during filming. The issuing authority should be aware of any previous film production within the community, remain sensitive to local citizens' concerns, and take affirmative steps to address citizen concerns in advance of filming.
B. 
Applications. The following information shall be included in the application:
1. 
The applicant's name and contact information and the company and/or business the applicant is affiliated with regarding the film activity that will be the subject of the permit;
2. 
The address and any other location description, and the specific location at such address or place;
3. 
The inclusive hours and dates such activity will occur;
4. 
A general statement describing the character or nature of the proposed filming activity;
5. 
The name, address, email address, and telephone number(s) of the person or persons in charge of such filming activity;
6. 
The exact number of personnel to be involved;
7. 
Activity which may cause public concern such as the use of any animals, gunfire or pyrotechnics and low flying aircraft;
8. 
The exact amount/type of vehicles/equipment to be employed along with a parking plan;
9. 
Whether any UAS/drones will be used, and if so, that the applicant and those responsible for drone usage will be in compliance with all FAA and county requirements for commercial drone use.
10. 
Whether an exception (Section 9.36.080) to the county's noise ordinance may be needed.
C. 
Timing. An applicant must submit a permit application at least two business days prior to the date on which the applicant desires to conduct an activity for which a film permit is required. If such activity interferes with traffic, will include a request for traffic control, or involves potential public safety hazards, the application should be submitted at least three business days in advance. For complex activity and activity that may have significant impacts applications should be submitted as early as possible to allow adequate time to review the application and issue the permit. A film permit will be issued as soon as possible, with a goal of 24 to 48 hours.
D. 
Fee Schedule. If a filming permit fee schedule is adopted and published in Article 2.116 of this code then the Placer County executive office, through its division of economic development, Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office shall charge and collect fees for services performed when issuing and overseeing a filming permit.
E. 
Permit Conditions and Provisions.
1. 
Specific permit provisions and conditions should always consider and address the following criteria:
a. 
The health and safety of all persons;
b. 
Mitigation of disruption to all persons within the affected area;
c. 
The safety of property within the county;
d. 
Traffic congestion at particular locations within the county;
e. 
Environmental or other sensitive areas or resources; and
f. 
Sufficient advance notice of filming activities to the public for the purpose of minimizing unanticipated disruptions to public use.
2. 
Reimbursement for Personnel. The production company will reimburse the county for any personnel provided to the company (e.g., sheriff, fire, traffic) for the purpose of assisting the production.
3. 
Change of Date. Upon the request of the applicant, the issuing authority may, upon a showing of good cause, change the date for which the permit has been issued, provided established limitations are complied with in respect to time and location.
4. 
Hours. The issued permit shall include an identification of what hours and dates film activities will be allowed. The identified hours may vary for different types of activities and shall take into consideration the type of zone district the filming will take place in.
5. 
Notification. Where film activities will likely create a significant impact to area residents or merchants all residents and merchants within a 200 feet radius of the film location must receive notice of filming dates, times, location address and production company contact at least 24 hours prior to the first film activity. When parking production vehicles on a public street will likely create a significant impact, residents and merchants impacted by the parking must receive notice at least 24 hours prior to the arrival of the vehicles.
6. 
Surveys. Where the filming includes extraordinary activities such as a street closure, involves pyrotechnics, excessive noise, low flying aircraft, requests to film beyond the standard hours, or requests to film for extended periods of time, the applicant may be required to survey affected residents and/or businesses within a 200 foot radius and the results of that survey used to identify additional permit conditions.
7. 
Filming on Private Property. An applicant is required to obtain the property owner's permission, consent, and/or lease for use of property not owned or controlled by the city/county.
8. 
Flood Control. When filming in a flood control channel, an applicant must vacate any channel when the permit indicates because of water releases.
9. 
Department of Public Works and Facilities. If the applicant must park equipment, trucks, and/or cars in zones that will not permit it, appropriate signage or accommodation must be made with approval of the local authority. The applicant must also obtain permission to lay any safety mat cable across sidewalks, or from generator to service point.
10. 
Traffic Control. For filming that would impair traffic flow, an applicant must generally coordinate with and use California Highway Patrol (CHP); however on some occasions county sheriff or a private contractor may be involved. Applicant must comply with all traffic control requirements deemed necessary and which may include, but are not limited to, the following at the discretion of the appropriate authority:
a. 
An applicant shall furnish and install advance warning signs and any other traffic control devices in conformance with the Manual of Traffic Controls, State of California Department of Transportation. All appropriate safety precautions must be taken.
b. 
For any lane closure or intermittent traffic control (ITC), the period of time that traffic may be restricted will be determined and identified in writing by the county, based on traffic volumes for location and time of day.
c. 
Traffic shall not be detoured across a double line without prior written approval of the appropriate county representative.
d. 
Unless authorized in writing by the county, the camera cars must be driven in the direction of traffic and must observe all traffic laws.
e. 
Any emergency roadwork or construction by county crews and/or private contractors under permit or contract to the county shall have priority over filming activities.
11. 
County Parking Lots and Spaces. When parking in a parking lot or parking space that is owned, run, controlled by, or affiliated with the county, an applicant may be billed according to the current rate schedule established by the county.
12. 
Beaches. In order to assure the safety of citizens in the surrounding community, access roads to beaches, which serve as emergency service roads, must never be blocked. No relocation, alteration, or moving of beach structures will be permitted without prior written approval.
13. 
Clean Up. The permittee shall conduct operations in an orderly fashion with continuous attention to the storage of equipment not in use and the cleanup of trash and debris. The area used shall be cleaned of trash and debris upon completion of shooting at the scene and restored to the original condition before leaving the site.
14. 
UAS/Drone Use. If filming will involve the use of UAS/drones the issuing authority may require that the applicant follow some or all of the California State Film Commission's UAS/drone requirements issued regarding filming on state property.
15. 
Inspections. The county shall have the right at all times to inspect the premises and activities covered by a permit.
16. 
Other Requirements. Issuance of a Placer County filming permit does not exempt an applicant from meeting any requirement of other regulatory agencies operating in the county of Placer.
(Ord. 5870-B § 1, 2017)
The issuing authority is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations, including forms and applications, subject to the review and approval of the appropriate designated representatives of public works and general services, sheriff, county counsel, and risk management, governing the form, time and location of any film activity set forth within the county.
(Ord. 5870-B § 1, 2017; Ord. 6336-B, 8/19/2025)
A. 
Liability Insurance. Before a permit is issued, a certificate of insurance will be required in an amount not less than $1,000,000 naming the county of Placer and its officers and employees as additional insured for protection against claims of third persons for personal in juries, wrongful deaths, and property damage. If county bridge locations are utilized in a non-traditional manner in the filming then a certificate of insurance or excess liability insurance will be required in an amount not less than $5,000,000 naming the county of Placer and its officers and employees as additional insured for protection against claims of third persons for personal in juries, wrongful deaths, and property damage and running in favor of the county for first party claims for property damage to the bridge. When filming in or on flood control properties, the local flood control agency must also be named as an additional insured. The insurance certificate(s) shall not be subject to cancellation or modification until after 30 days' written notice to the county. A copy of the certificate shall remain on file with the issuing authority.
B. 
Workers' Compensation Insurance. An applicant shall conform to all applicable federal and state requirements for workers' compensation insurance for all persons operating under a permit.
C. 
Hold Harmless Agreement. An applicant shall execute a hold harmless agreement as provided by the county prior to the issuance of a permit under this article.
D. 
Security Deposit. To ensure cleanup and restoration of the site, an applicant may be required to submit a refundable deposit (amount to be determined). Upon completion of filming and inspection of the site by the county, if no verifiable damage has occurred, the security deposit shall be returned to the applicant.
E. 
All documentation required under this section must be received by the county prior to an application being deemed complete.
(Ord. 5870-B § 1, 2017)
If an applicant violates any provisions of this article or a permit issued pursuant thereto, the county may provide the applicant with written notice of such violation. If the applicant fails to correct the violation, the county may revoke the permit and all activity must cease.
(Ord. 5870-B § 1, 2017)