Former Ch. 6.04, Regulation of Filming, Telecasting, and Still Photography, added by Od. 245, as amended by Ord. 430, was repealed by Ord. 530, 5/20/2025.
The city council of the city of La Cañada Flintridge finds and declares that commercial filming, and still photography activity in the city provides unique and significant contributions to the community. The purpose of this chapter is to create an environment conducive to filming, and still photography activity while also ensuring the health, safety, peace and welfare of the community through the appropriate regulation.
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)
The following words, as used in this chapter, shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the following definitions:
"Adjacent properties"
means real property abutting any side of the site location and real property directly across the street from the site location within the property lines of the site location.
"Applicant"
means any person who completes and submits an application for permit and/or the person on whose behalf an application is submitted.
"Cast and crew"
means any and all actors, persons employed as on-site production staff or technicians, and persons providing physical products, services, and food to the production.
"City council"
means the city council of the city.
"City manager"
means the city manager of the city, or designee.
"City"
means the city of La Cañada Flintridge.
"Commercial filming"
means and includes all activity attendant to staging or shooting motion pictures, television shows, live programming/broadcasting, or programs for a commercial purpose that is not a student academic project, charitable work, or public service announcement for general consumption.
"Commercial purpose"
means and includes to make or produce with the intent to promote, advertise, or solicit consumer consumption in order to derive a profit or monetary advantages. Charitable purposes, academic uses, or general public service announcements are not included.
"Commercial still photography"
means and includes all activity attendant to staging or shooting still photographs to be used for a commercial purpose. Commercial still photography does not include the staging or shooting of still photographs for the sole benefit of private use.
"Director"
means the director of the community development, or designee.
"Fire department"
means the county of Los Angeles fire department.
"Major holiday"
means official city observed holidays.
"Permit"
means a written authorization by the processing agency to conduct a production.
"Person"
means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, syndicate, the United States, the state of California, any county, city and county, municipality, district or other political subdivision, or any other group combination acting as a unit.
"Processing agency"
means an individual or third-party consultant authorized by the city manager to process production permit applications.
"Production"
means and includes all activity attendant to staging, including parking, or shooting commercial motion pictures, television shows or programs, commercials, digital media, still photography 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.
"Property owner"
means a person who is the record owner, as shown on the Los Angeles County assessor's latest secured real property assessment roll or then current grant deed of record as shown in the Los Angeles County recorder's office.
"Sheriff's department"
means the county of Los Angeles sheriff's department.
"Site location"
means the specific site or address where any production occurs, and includes the entire lot or parcel on which such activity takes place, unless otherwise determined by the processing agency.
"Special effects"
means any artificial visual and/or sound effects beyond the range of standard photography, filming or recording, including, but not limited to, bull horns, audible gunfire, pyrotechnic explosions (e.g., mortars, primacord, black powder, gasoline explosions), the use of gas-powered ritter fans to generate wind on the set, or other noise-creating devices any of which can be heard at the nearest adjacent property line.
"Structure"
means anything built, constructed, fabricated, formed or placed which requires a fixed location on the ground, or is attached to something having a fixed location on the ground regardless of method or location of its creation.
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)
A. 
No person shall engage in any production, or any other filming, or still photography activity which would, in the reasonable judgment of the processing agency constitute a hazard to the health, safety, peace or welfare of the community.
B. 
No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence within the city for the purposes of production without first obtaining a permit from the processing agency as set forth in Chapter 6.04, as applicable, except as follows:
1. 
Current News. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or affect reporters, photographers or camera operators in the employ of a newspaper, internet uses, news service, radio or television broadcasting station, or similar entity engaged in on-the-spot broadcasting of news events concerning those persons, scenes or occurrences which are in the current news and of general public interest.
2. 
Public Agency Production. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any public agency production, including, but not limited to, public service announcements.
3. 
Noncommercial filming or still photography and any activity related thereto for single day life events such as birthday parties, holiday parties, etc. Noncommercial means that no person is hired for the event, with consideration charged for services rendered.
C. 
No person shall engage in any production between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any day.
D. 
Production shall not be permitted on Sundays or major holidays.
E. 
Special effects shall not be used in violation of Chapter 5.02, Regulation of Community Noise.
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)
A. 
Permitted Number of Production Days.
1. 
A production permit may be approved by the processing agency, for commercial filming, professional photographing, and videotaping at the same location for:
a. 
Six or fewer days per quarter of a calendar year, for a maximum of 24 days of a calendar year, in residential, open space, public, and semi-public zoning districts; or
b. 
15 or fewer days per quarter of a calendar year, for a maximum of 60 days of a calendar year, in all other zoning districts.
2. 
Exceptions. A production permit may be approved by the processing agency, for commercial motion picture filming, professional photographing, and videotaping for production days exceeding the requirements listed in Section 6.04.040(A)(1) if:
a. 
An application to the processing agency is submitted no later than 7:00 a.m. on the 10th business day prior to the date upon which the production is set to begin.
b. 
The production shall obtain 75% of signature approvals from property owners, or authorized agent, within 500 feet, and 100% signature approval from the adjacent properties with a structure.
i. 
Signatures must be submitted to the processing agency no later than 48 hours prior to the start of production activities.
B. 
Production Hours. All productions shall only be permitted during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. unless signatures are obtained as follows for production outside of these hour restrictions:
1. 
51% of the signature approvals from property owners or tenants within 500 feet and 75% signature approvals from property owners or tenants of adjacent properties of the production location.
C. 
Parking Requirements. All parking related to production activities, including cast and crew vehicles, must be located on the site location unless a comprehensive parking plan is submitted and approved by the processing agency demonstrating the following:
1. 
Adequate off-site parking that does not negatively impact surrounding businesses, residential areas, or traffic flow. The plan must include clear identification of parking locations and routes for access.
2. 
The provision of shuttle services or other forms of transportation for crew and cast members from the off-site parking areas to the production site to minimize disruption to the surrounding area.
3. 
Clearly visible signage and directional aids to guide vehicles to the designated parking areas, ensuring minimal confusion or obstruction in surrounding neighborhoods.
D. 
Production in the Public Right-of-Way.
1. 
A traffic control plan is required if street(s) will be used for intermediate traffic closures (full street closures not allowed). A detailed traffic control plan must include the following:
a. 
Measures to manage congestion, ensure pedestrian safety, and avoid significant impact on local streets, including any proposed road closures, detours, or traffic rerouting.
b. 
Location of "No Parking" signs indicating the time and date of the parking restrictions. "No Parking" signs shall be the responsibility of the production company and shall be posted in compliance with state and Vehicle Code regulations. The production company shall remove signs at the conclusion of production activity.
c. 
Except when a sidewalk closure has been granted, a plan to keep sidewalks accessible between periods of production is mandatory. Production shall ensure sidewalks always maintain an unobstructed path in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act width requirements. Craft service tables may not be set up in the public right-of-way or sidewalks.
2. 
Los Angeles County sheriff's department personnel shall be assigned to any production activity within the public right-of-way, except for parking per Section 6.04.040(C), at the expense of the production company.
E. 
Exceptions. The following restrictions shall not apply where the subject property, or the combination of contiguous parcels owned by the same property owner, exceeds, in total, 100 acres in size, and the site location of the activity, excluding parking, is at least 300 feet removed from the closest adjoining residence:
1. 
The restrictions on production during Sundays and holidays.
2. 
The hours restrictions for production set forth in Section 6.04.040(B).
3. 
The signature requirements set forth in Section 6.04.040(A)(2)(b).
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)
A. 
Application. Production permits shall be filed on forms furnished by the processing agency. An applicant shall submit a completed application to the processing agency no later than 7:00 a.m. on the fifth business day prior to the date upon which the production is set to begin. Applications for production permits shall require the following information and shall be signed and dated by the applicant:
1. 
Full legal name of applicant;
2. 
Business name of applicant (if different);
3. 
Business address of applicant;
4. 
Business telephone of applicant;
5. 
Name of person in charge of production activity at the site location;
6. 
Location of proposed production;
7. 
Detailed site plan of the production activities and parking locations;
8. 
Completed and signed Property Owner's Affidavit;
9. 
Dates and times of proposed production;
10. 
Description of production including:
a. 
A statement of the character or nature of the proposed activity;
b. 
A statement as to whether special effects and/or artificial lighting will be used;
c. 
A statement as to whether the public right-of-way will be used, in what manner, frequency, and over what period of time;
d. 
A statement as to whether drones will be used;
e. 
The number of cast and crew to be involved in the site location;
f. 
The amount and type of equipment, including type(s) of vehicles and food servicing arrangements, to be involved;
11. 
Any other information as the processing agency may deem necessary or desirable.
B. 
Notification. No later than the fourth business day prior to the date upon which the production is set to begin, the processing agency shall mail written notice of the application submittal to properties within 500 feet of the production site location.
1. 
An application submitted for processing and review may not be amended after notification to neighbors has been mailed. Any new amendments following the notification will result in the entire process timeline resetting to day one.
2. 
The notification will provide details regarding the production, when the permit will be issued, and appeal procedures.
C. 
Fees. The amount or rate of any permit, license, charge or other fee under this chapter shall be established and/or modified by resolution of the city council. The schedule for the fees shall remain on file and be available in the office of the city clerk. The Processing Agency shall review the fees charged at least once annually and shall recommend changes to the council when appropriate.
1. 
Exemptions.
a. 
Academic Purpose. No application fees or permit fees shall be required for any motion picture, radio, television production and/or still photography activity which is found by the processing agency to be conducted or carried on wholly for an academic purpose. The applicant must send a Student Letter of Approval from their school. A production permit shall be required.
b. 
Charitable Purpose. No application fees or permit fees shall apply to any production intended for the advancement of athletic, educational, literary, public comfort, health, and safety, poverty reduction, religion, scientific knowledge, and other such objectives without seeking private benefit or profit. A production permit shall be required.
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)
A. 
In approving an application for a production permit, the processing agency may impose such conditions as are deemed necessary to ensure that the permit protects the public health, safety, and general welfare. These conditions may involve any pertinent factors affecting the production activity, and may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. 
Provision of adequate temporary off-street parking facilities, including vehicular access and egress;
2. 
Regulation of nuisance factors such as, but not limited to, the prevention of glare or direct illumination onto adjacent properties, noise, vibrations, smoke, dust, dirt, odors, gasses and heat;
3. 
Regulation of temporary buildings, structures and facilities, including placement, height and size, location of equipment and open spaces, including buffer areas and other yards;
4. 
Provision of security and safety measures;
5. 
Regulation of operating hours and days, including limitation of the duration of the production to a shorter time period than that requested, and limiting the hours for production set-up, break-down, and clean-up;
6. 
The applicant shall have a copy of the approved production permit available on-site during the entire duration of the production activity;
7. 
The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the city and its officers, agents, and employees from any claim, action or proceeding against the city or its officers, agents, or employees to attack, set aside, void, or annul approval of this permit;
8. 
The production permit shall conform to the city's Municipal Code, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Los Angeles County Environmental Health Department programs, regulations, and requirements; and
9. 
Such other conditions which will ensure the operation of the proposed production activity occurs in an orderly and efficient manner and in accord with the intent and purpose of this chapter.
B. 
An applicant shall be required to maintain insurance during the permitted production as follows:
1. 
Applicant is to maintain in full force and effect general liability and automobile liability insurance each in the amounts not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, with a combined aggregate of $2,000,000. During any activity which includes chase scenes, special effects, stunts or activities involving aircraft, not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage insurance shall be required.
2. 
Applicant shall maintain workers' compensation insurance as required by the California Labor Code.
3. 
All insurance policies will name, by endorsement, the city as an additional insured to the extent of the liability assumed by applicant, and protect the city against any legal costs in defending claims.
4. 
Each insurance policy required by this clause shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided or canceled except after 30 days' written notice by certified mail has been given to the city.
5. 
Original endorsements and certificates of insurance in a form acceptable to the city, coverage required by this chapter, shall be kept on file with the city during the entire term of the permit.
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)
The director shall make a determination by 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the date upon which the production is set to begin. Determination is based on the completeness of the application, including signatures, and satisfying all conditions. The director may deny issuance of a permit if it finds that any information or statement contained on the permit application form is untrue or that any one or more of the following will be adversely affected:
A. 
Substantial disruption or obstruction of traffic, parking or business;
B. 
The city has received 60% objections from properties within 500 feet of the production site location (this condition is only for productions that do not require signatures per Section 6.04.040(A)(2)(b);
C. 
Past performance of permittee in adhering to conditions;
D. 
Public health, safety or welfare.
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)
Appeals of production permit shall be made directly to the city manager. Only parties receiving notice of the production application, including the applicant, may appeal the production permit, and appeals must be made in writing 24 hours prior to the start of production activities. Notice of such appeal must be filed in the office of the city clerk together with any required fees and shall be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the reasons for the appeal. Following a review and consideration de novo, and without any public hearing, the city manager shall render a decision of the appeal within 24 hours following receipt of the appeal. The decision of the city manager shall be final.
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)
A. 
The permit may be immediately revoked if the processing agency finds that one or more of the following conditions exists:
1. 
The production permit was obtained in a false, misleading or fraudulent manner;
2. 
One or more conditions of the production permit have not been fulfilled;
3. 
The permittee, as determined by the processing agency is in violation of any law, or the activity endangers the public health, safety, or general welfare;
4. 
The processing agency determines that the use is, or has become, a nuisance.
B. 
If an issued permit is revoked, the property owner and/or applicant shall not be permitted to obtain a permit for up to one year following the violation.
C. 
Any violation of Chapter 6.04 shall be punishable as a misdemeanor, subject to the fines and related penalties of Section 1.04.010 of this code, or as an administrative citation, subject to the fines set forth in Chapter 1.07 of this code.
(Ord. 530, 5/20/2025)