The purpose of this chapter is to provide rules and regulations for the issuance of commercial filming permits. The development and application of such rules and regulations are intended to ensure that commercial filming activities are consistent with considerations of public health, safety and the protection of property and to promote filming within the City.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)
For the purpose of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
“Charitable institutions”
shall mean a nonprofit organization which qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 23701 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code as a charitable organization. No person, directly or indirectly, shall receive a profit from the marketing and production of the film or from the showing of the film, slides, tape or photos.
“Community Services Department”
shall be the designated representative of the City to work directly with the applicant for filming permits, and to handle the processing, issuance, review and collection of all fees for filming permits.
“Current news”
shall mean regularly scheduled news programs, excluding documentary programs and special news programs which are not pre-planned and are intended to be broadcasted within 72 hours after the filming. Reporters, photographers or camera persons in the employment of a newspaper, news service, broadcasting station or similar entity engaged in the broadcasting or reporting of current news events shall be included in the definition of current news.
“Governmental filming”
shall mean any filming by, and for the use of a public entity.
“Location filming”
shall mean and include all activity within the City limits attendant to staging, making, rehearsing, shooting, video taping, or still photography for a commercially produced motion picture, television show, program or commercial.
“Student”
shall mean an applicant who has submitted a letter written on school letterhead by a school administrator or instructor stating that the applicant is currently enrolled in a recognized United States educational institution and that the film is not for commercial release.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)
No person shall engage in, conduct, or use any public or private property, building, street, facility or residence in the City for location filming without first obtaining a City permit pursuant to this chapter. Permittee shall have a copy of the current permit on the site of the event or activity at all times. A copy of the current permit shall be made available upon request by any official or employee of the City.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)
A. 
Applicability. Property in any zone may be used as a location for filming, including filming of motion pictures, videotaping and still photography, subject to the conditions of a film permit issued by the City pursuant to this chapter.
B. 
Permit Exemptions. No permit shall be required for the following:
1. 
Governmental filming;
2. 
Filming by any individual when such activities are not for profit and for his or her personal use or entertainment;
3. 
Filming for use in current news gathering, investigative reporting;
4. 
Public access exhibitions not for profit.
C. 
General Film Permit Conditions.
1. 
No filming, including the setup and dismantling of film activity, shall be done before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. The Community Services Department may extend these hours with written concurrence by an adult occupant of each dwelling or business owner within 500 feet of the filming location unless permitted by City.
2. 
No gunfire, explosions, sirens, public address system, bull horns, or other noise-creating devices shall be used, except when otherwise approved by the Police Department, Fire Department and Community Services Department.
3. 
The Community Services Department may impose permit conditions to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter, including, but not limited to, parking limitations, security, traffic/crowd control measures, insurance requirements, performance bonds, indemnity and hold harmless agreements, and other conditions for permit approval.
4. 
A notification letter to all occupants and business owners within 500 feet of the film location must be delivered at least 24 hours prior to commencement of filming activity. The notification letter must be typed on film company letterhead with the telephone number of the company noted.
D. 
Residential Filming Conditions. The Community Services Department may impose special residential area filming conditions for the protection of the public, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. 
Filming frequency at a single residential site is restricted to three consecutive days per six-month period, commencing with issuance of the first film permit for a maximum of six days per year in a residential area. Film companies may exceed this limit with the written approval of all adult occupants living on the parcel, adjacent to the film site or across any street from the film site;
2. 
No filming shall be permitted on Sundays and on the following holidays: New Year’s Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day;
3. 
Restricting parking to those locations shown in an approved parking plan for all vehicles connected with the proposed filming session;
4. 
Attendance during the setup and the filming session by uniformed police officers or firefighters, at the applicant’s sole cost and expense.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)
A. 
Any person or entity desiring a film permit shall file for a “location film permit” with the Community Services Department on the City application form which satisfies all the requirements of the City at least 10 days before the contemplated location filming. Written consent to filming by an adult occupant of each dwelling or business owner within 500 feet of the film location is required. The Community Services Department shall review the application and may request additional information, verification of owner/neighbor/occupant approvals or of other factors, or may require proof of adequate insurance if any City street or other City property is involved or impacted. The Community Services Department may issue the permit if it determines the location will not unreasonably impact traffic and it complies with all City standards. The Community Services Department may impose such limitations or conditions on the permit as it deems necessary to ensure the public safety and welfare.
B. 
Prior to processing application, the City’s processing fee for location filming permit applications shall be paid by the applicant in an amount set by resolution of the City Council. In the event that any applicant requires direct services from the City, as determined necessary by the Community Services Department during location filming activities, including but not limited to, the use of City property, equipment, or personnel, the applicant shall reimburse the City for the cost of all such services provided. Additionally, refundable deposits may be collected from the applicant to ensure compliance with permit conditions.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)
A. 
Any person, firm, company or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this Code.
B. 
The Community Services Department or designee shall have the authority to issue a written stop notice if there is any violation of the permit conditions. Filming and all other associated activities shall cease until the violation has been corrected and the stop notice is released, in writing, by the Community Services Department or designee.
C. 
Any person, firm, company or corporation who is convicted of violating the provision of this chapter, may be prohibited from obtaining a film permit for a period of one year from the date of the conviction.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)