For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings as ascribed to them by this section:
"Charitable films"
means commercials, motion pictures, television, video tapes,
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.
"Motion picture, television, still photography"
means and includes all activity attendant to staging or shooting
commercial motion pictures, television shows or programs, and commercials,
and student films produced to satisfy a post-secondary school course
requirement at an educational institution in any medium including
film, tape or digital format.
"News media"
means the photographing, filming or videotaping for the purpose
of spontaneous, unplanned television news broadcasts or reporting
for print media by reporters, photographers or camerapersons.
"Studio"
means a fixed place of business certified as such by the
local fire authority having jurisdiction where filming activities
(motion or still photography) are regularly conducted upon the premises.
(Ord. 769 § 2, 1990; Ord. 1076 § 4, 2013)
A. No person
shall use any public or private property, facility or residence for
the purpose of taking motion pictures or television, or commercial
still photography without first applying for and receiving a permit
from the director of finance.
B. The
following activities and persons shall be exempt from the requirement
for a permit:
1. The
provisions of this chapter 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. The
recording of visual images (motion or still photography) solely for
private personal use, and not for commercial use;
3. Projects which qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as charitable organizations and activities and student film productions to satisfy a post-secondary school course requirement at an educational institution. A temporary use permit is required pursuant to the procedures prescribed in Chapter
18.61, Temporary Uses, of Title
18, Zoning;
4. Filming
activities (motion or still photography) conducted at a studio;
5. Still
Photography for Business Advertisements. Still photography for the
production of advertisements completed at the business being advertised,
provided all filming activities take place on private property and
result in no impairment of the public use of the public right-of-way
or other public facilities.
(Ord. 769 § 2, 1990; Ord. 1076 § 4, 2013)
The director of finance is authorized and directed to promulgate
rules and regulations, subject to approval by resolution of the council,
governing the form, time and location of any film activity set forth
within the city. He or she shall also provide for the issuance of
permits. The rules and regulations shall be based upon the following
criteria:
A. The
health and safety of all persons;
B. Mitigation
of disruption of all persons within the affected area;
C. The
safety of property within the city; and
D. Traffic
congestion at particular locations within the city.
(Ord. 769 § 2, 1990; Ord. 1076 § 4, 2013)
Any applicant granted a permit pursuant to this chapter shall
comply with all of the following conditions:
A. Notification.
All residents and businesses within a two-hundred-foot radius of filming
activity and vehicle parking associated with filming activity must
receive written notice of filming dates, times, locations address
and production company contact information at least seventy-two hours
prior to commencing any filming activities.
B. Survey.
Filming activities occurring before seven a.m. and/or after ten p.m.
and/or involving activities that may cause public alarm require signature
approval of at least eighty percent of residents and businesses within
a two-hundred-foot radius of the filming activity and associated parking.
A survey is not required if city staff determines filming activities
will have no impact to the surrounding uses. In cases of large scale
special effects, as determined by the finance director, the city may
require surveys of residents and businesses beyond the two-hundred-foot
radius.
C. 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.
D. Filming
on Private Property. An applicant is required to obtain the property
owner's and occupant's permission, consent, and/or lease for use of
property not owned or controlled by the city.
E. Flood
Control. Applicant must obtain appropriate permits from the Los Angeles
County Flood Control District when filming in a flood control channel.
F. If other
agencies have jurisdiction, the applicant must obtain written consent
and any required permits from those agencies and shall list those
agencies in writing on the city application.
G. No pyrotechnics,
no hazardous materials, no open flame, or no vehicles inside a structure
shall be used without a permit from the Los Angeles County fire department.
The permit holder shall comply with all requirements of the Los Angeles
County fire department, including having fire personnel present to
ensure safety as required by the department.
H. Public
Works Department (Road and Streets). If the applicant must park equipment,
trucks, and/or cars in zones that will not permit it, temporary "No
Parking" signs must be posted with approval of the city. Applicant
must repost parking signs if they are removed and remove all posted
signs upon completion of filming activity. The applicant must also
obtain permission to lay and safely mat cable across sidewalks, or
from generator to service point.
I. No film
permits will be issued without the approval of a parking plan.
J. Traffic
Control. For filming that would impair traffic flow, an applicant
must use local law enforcement personnel to 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 most recent
edition of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
All appropriate safety precautions must be taken.
2. A
street closure, lane closure, blocking of major intersection during
peak rush hours, which are from six-thirty a.m. to eight-thirty a.m.
and from four p.m. to seven p.m., stopping of traffic or detouring
of traffic across a double line are not permitted on any street unless
approved by the city.
3. Proposed
filming will not unduly impede, obstruct or interfere with the operation
of emergency vehicles or equipment in or through the permitted area
or any emergency roadwork or construction by the city or county crews
and/or private contractors, under permit or contract to the appropriate
department.
4. Unless
authorized by the city, the camera cars must be driven in the direction
of traffic and must observe all traffic laws.
K. Production
company is not permitted to block, delay or interrupt normal activity
on public or private property. This includes, but is not limited to:
refuse collection, recycling procedures, street sweeping, gardening,
postal or overnight deliveries, ingress or egress to property, city
public works construction/projects and/or private construction work.
L. Public
Facilities. When parking in public facilities, an applicant may be
billed according to the current rate schedule established by the city.
In order to assure safety of citizens in the surrounding community,
access roads must never be blocked. No relocation, alteration, or
moving of structures will be permitted without prior approval.
(Ord. 1076 § 4, 2013)
A. The
issuing authority shall be the director of finance or designee.
B. The
following information shall be included in the application:
1. The
name of the owner, occupant and the representative of the property
and the address and telephone number of the place at which the activity
is to be conducted;
2. The
specific location at such address or place;
3. The
inclusive hours and dates such activity will transpire;
4. A
general statement of the character or nature of the proposed filming
activity;
5. The
name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number 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 alarm such as the use of any animals, gunfire
or pyrotechnics and low flying aircraft;
8. The
exact amount/type of vehicles/ equipment to be involved along with
a parking plan; and
9. Services
of city employees such as building, police, fire, traffic personnel,
etc., desired or required on location during filming.
C. The
application fee, processing fee and use fee for use of public facilities
other than streets and sidewalks shall be as defined in the fee schedule
set forth in resolution adopted by the city council.
D. Permit
fees and deposit for charitable films and filming produced to satisfy
a post-secondary school course requirement at an educational institution
shall be waived. Reimbursements for city personnel shall not be waived
pursuant to this subsection. The property owner of the subject film
location shall be responsible for ensuring the area used is cleaned
of trash and debris upon completion of filming activities.
E. The
applicant shall reimburse the city for all actual costs of any personnel
provided by the city such as building, police, fire, traffic personnel,
etc., for the purpose of assisting or regulating the applicant's activities.
(Ord. 769 § 2, 1990; Ord. 1076 § 4, 2013)
A. Liability
Insurance. Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall provide
a certificate of insurance in an amount of at least one million dollars
naming the city as a co-insured for protection against all claims
or actions of any nature, including personal injuries, wrongful death
and property damage. The city officers, agent, and employees shall
be named as additional insured. The certificate shall not be subject
to cancellation or modification until after thirty days' written notice
to the city. A copy of the certificate shall remain on file with the
city.
B. Worker's
Compensation Insurance. An applicant shall conform to all applicable
federal and state requirements for worker's 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 city prior to the issuance of a permit under this
chapter.
D. Faithful
Performance Bond or Deposit. To ensure cleanup and restoration of
the site, and the payment of any fees or charges for services provided
by the city, the applicant shall be required to post a refundable
faithful performance bond or submit a deposit in an amount reasonably
related to anticipated costs, at the time the application is submitted.
Upon completion of filming and inspection of the site by the city,
the bond or deposit shall be returned to the applicant.
(Ord. 769 § 2, 1990; Ord. 1076 § 4, 2013)
If an applicant violates any provisions of this chapter or a
permit issued pursuant thereto, the city may provide the applicant
with verbal or written notice of such violation. If the applicant
fails to correct the violation, the city may revoke the permit and
all activity must cease, in addition to any other remedy provided
by law.
(Ord. 1076 § 4, 2013)