It is the purpose and intent of the city to encourage the motion picture and television production industry and the commercial still photography industry to utilize the scenic beauty and variety of backdrops afforded in the city as locations for filming, videotaping, or otherwise recording motion pictures for movie or television production and still photographs for commercial purposes, provided such activities do not unreasonably interfere with the public health and safety of our citizens or unreasonably endanger or damage any property within the city. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to provide the means by which such activities may be reasonably regulated to preserve the public health and safety and provide for the protection of property, to not unduly restrict such activities, and to maintain harmonious relations between the community and those engaged in such activities.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
For the purpose of this chapter only, the following words and terms shall be deemed to mean and be construed as follows:
"Charitable purposes"
means the filming, videotaping or otherwise preserving for motion picture or television production, or photographing for display, conducted by an organization which qualifies under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as a charitable organization, provided that no individual, either directly or indirectly, receives a profit from the production, marketing or showing of the products thereof.
"Film permit officer"
means the city manager or his designee. The film permit officer also serves as Cathedral City liaison to the California film office.
"News purposes"
means the filming, videotaping, photographing or otherwise preserving for newspapers or television news broadcasting by reporters, photographers or cameramen in the employ of a newspaper, news service, television station or similar entity, or news events concerning those persons, scenes or occurrences which are in the news and are of general public interest.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
Except as otherwise provided herein, it is unlawful for any person to engage in the business or activity of the filming, videotaping or otherwise producing motion pictures or still photography for television or public exhibition at any place within the city, other than at or in an established motion picture, television or photography studio, unless such person has first been issued a motion picture or still photography permit by the film permit officer.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the filming, videotaping or the photographing or otherwise preserving of motion pictures or still photographs:
A. 
Solely for private or family use;
B. 
For use in a criminal investigation or civil proceeding;
C. 
For news purposes;
D. 
For charitable purposes;
E. 
Video surveillance security systems.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
An application for a motion picture permit or still photography permit shall be submitted to the film permit officer, on a form which the film permit officer shall furnish, wherein the applicant shall state the following information:
A. 
Full legal name of applicant;
B. 
Business name of applicant, if different;
C. 
Business address of applicant;
D. 
Business telephone number of applicant;
E. 
Location(s) of proposed motion picture or still photograph activity;
F. 
Date(s) and time(s) of proposed motion picture or still photography activity;
G. 
A detailed description of the activity not limited to, but including the number and type, of all motor vehicles, to be used, the exact number of personnel to be involved and the use of any animals or pyrotechnics;
H. 
Services of city employees desired or requested on location during the proposed activities;
I. 
A list of all public facilities which applicant desires to use in conjunction with the proposed activity;
J. 
The name and title of the person in charge at each location where the proposed activity will occur;
K. 
Such other information as the film permit officer may deem necessary.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
An applicant will be required to submit a permit request at least five working days prior to the date on which such person desires to conduct an activity for which a permit is required. If such activity interferes with traffic or involves any other potential public safety hazards, an application may be required at least ten working days in advance.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
An application fee, to cover the actual cost of processing the permit, in an amount determined by resolution of the city council, shall be paid by the applicant to the city when the completed application form is submitted for approval.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
Upon a determination by the film permit officer that the activities described in the application form do not pose a threat to the public health and safety and provide for the protection of property, the application may be approved. If such a determination cannot be made, the application for motion picture or still photography permit shall be denied. Further, the film permit officer upon approving the permit may impose conditions as deemed necessary.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
Upon the approval or conditional approval of the application for a motion picture or still photography permit and after applicant has:
A. 
Procured public liability insurance in the amount of one million dollars combined single limit naming the city of Cathedral City as co-insured (this requirement may be waived by the city's risk management officer);
B. 
Executed an agreement to indemnify, defend and save the city harmless from any and all claims and liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from or arising out of the issuance of such permit; and
C. 
Prepaid such costs as the film permit officer reasonably estimates will be incurred by the city for the use of its personnel and facilities, with overpayments to be reimbursed and underpayments billed for payment to the applicant thirty days after the final day of shooting;
The film permit officer shall issue a motion picture or still photography permit to the applicant. The permit shall be subject to the conditions of the approved application.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
The term of the permit shall be for such period of time as is necessary to complete the activities set forth in the application for the permit.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
If the activities described in the application form are not completed when the permit expires, and upon good cause shown, the film permit officer may extend the term of the permit for a period of time necessary to complete the activities set forth in the application for the permit.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
To ensure cleanup and restoration of the site, an applicant may be required to post a refundable faithful performance bond (amount to be determined) at the time application is submitted. Upon completion of filming and inspection of the site by the city and/or county, the bond shall be returned to the applicant.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
A. 
Clean-Up. The permittee shall conduct operations in an orderly fashion with continuous attention to the storage of equipment not in use and the clean-up 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.
B. 
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.
C. 
Flood Control. When filming in a flood control channel, an applicant shall vacate the channel if determined necessary by the city or the flood control agency. When filming in or on flood control properties, the appropriate flood control agency must be named as an additional insured.
D. 
Public Works Department (Roads and Streets). If the applicant must park equipment, trucks, and/or cars in zones that will not permit it, "Temporary Parking Permitted" signs must be posted by the city. The applicant must also obtain permission to string cable across sidewalks, or from generator to service point.
E. 
Traffic Control. For filming that would impair traffic flow, an applicant must use California Highway Patrol (CHP), county sheriff or local law enforcement personnel and comply with all traffic control requirements deemed necessary.
1. 
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.
2. 
Traffic may be restricted to one twelve-foot lane of traffic and/or stopped intermittently. The period of time that traffic may be restricted will be determined by the city, based on location.
3. 
Traffic shall not be detoured across a double line without prior approval of the appropriate department representative.
4. 
Unless authorized by the city, camera cars must be driven in the direction of traffic and must observe all traffic laws.
5. 
Any emergency road work or construction by city crews and/or private contractors, under permit or contract to the appropriate department, shall have priority over filming activities.
F. 
In order to assure the safety of citizens in the surrounding community, emergency service lanes shall never be blocked.
G. 
No relocation or alteration of public signs or structures will be permitted without prior approval.
H. 
No filming or photography involving "nudity" or "specified sexual activities" (as defined within Chapter 5.18) shall be conducted in public view or on public property.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
In addition to the requirements herein, the film permit officer is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to realize the purpose and intent of this chapter and which are not inconsistent therewith.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
If the permittee violates any of the conditions of approval, performs those activities described in the application for motion picture or still photography permit in a manner that poses a threat to the public health and safety or the preservation of the property, or engages in activities outside the scope of the activities described in the application, the film permit officer may summarily suspend or revoke the permit.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
Any person aggrieved by an action taken by the film permit officer may appeal such action to the city council.
(Ord. 426 § 3, 1996)
A violation of Section 5.070.030, 5.70.130 or 5.70.140 of this chapter by any person responsible for committing, causing or maintaining such violation shall constitute a public nuisance which shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 13.80.
(Ord. 506 § 3, 1999)
A violation of Section 5.70.030, 5.70.130 or 5.70.140 of this chapter by any person responsible for committing, causing or maintaining such violation shall constitute an infraction violation which shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Chapter 13.65, including, but not limited to, the imposition of any and all criminal penalties set forth therein.
(Ord. 506 § 3, 1999)
Any person convicted of an infraction shall, for each separate violation of this chapter, be subject to: (a) a fine in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars for a first conviction of an offense; (b) a fine in an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars for a second conviction of the same offense within a twelve-month period of the date of the first offense; and (c) a fine in an amount not to exceed seven hundred fifty dollars for the third conviction of the same offense within a twelve-month period of the date of the first offense. The fine for a fourth and subsequent convictions of the same offense within a twelve-month period of the date of the first offense shall be one thousand dollars.
(Ord. 506 § 3, 1999)
In lieu of issuing an infraction citation, the city may issue an administrative citation, pursuant to Chapter 13.58, to any person responsible for committing, causing or maintaining a violation of Section 5.70.030, 5.70.130 or 5.70.140 of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall preclude the city from also issuing an infraction citation upon the occurrence of the same offense on a separate day.
(Ord. 506 § 3, 1999)
Note: Former § 5.70.210, Administrative fine, adopted by Ord. 506 was repealed by Ord. 892, 10/22/2025.
Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the city from pursuing the remedies provided by Chapter 13.140, including but not limited to, as applicable, denial or revocation of certificates of occupancy, issuance of a stop work orders and injunctive relief.
(Ord. 506 § 3, 1999)