Contra Costa County Municipal Code Ch. 56-8 Filming Permits

Filming permits shall be granted in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2: Gov. Code, § 14999.21).

The director of general services is responsible for administering this chapter, and is authorized to promulgate rules or regulations consistent with and necessary for its efficient administration.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

The director of general services or the director's designee shall work cooperatively with the film industry to expedite the permit process by coordinating all county department reviews and approvals.

(Ord. No. 2024-23, § III(Exh. A), 12-3-24; Ord. 96-39 § 2).

Article 56-8.4. Permits

No person shall engage in commercial motion picture production on public property or requiring public services without obtaining a filming permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

An applicant for a filming permit may commence the application process by providing all application information to the county by telephone.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

The application and permit shall be on the form developed by the California Film Commission, which must be signed by an authorized representative of the applicant.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

The applicant shall, at no cost to county, furnish evidence of comprehensive liability insurance coverage, including coverage of owned and non-owned automobiles, with a minimum combined single limit coverage of at least one million dollars for all damages due to bodily injury, sickness or disease, or death to any person, and damage to property, including loss of use thereof, arising out of each accident or occurrence. The county, its officers and employees shall be named as additional insureds, and coverage shall not be cancelled or reduced in coverage or limits except after thirty days' written notice to county. Evidence of coverage shall be provided on the standardized insurance form approved by the California Film Commission.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

(a) Permits shall be issued within the following time limits:

(1) Permits not requiring traffic control exceeding three minutes shall be issued within two working days of completion of application.

(2) Permits requiring traffic control exceeding three minutes shall be issued within four working days of completion of application.

(3) Permits requiring road closures shall be issued within ten working days of completion of application.

(b) An application shall not be deemed complete until all required information is provided, all fees are paid, the application is properly signed, and evidence of adequate insurance coverage is provided to the director of general services.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

As a condition of obtaining a filming permit, the applicant shall defend, indemnify, save and hold harmless the county and its officers and employees from any and all claims, costs and liability for any damages, injury, or death arising directly or indirectly from or connected with the permit, due to or claimed to be due to negligent or wrongful acts, errors or omissions of the applicant or any person under its control, save and except claims or litigation arising through the sole negligence or sole willful misconduct of the county, and will make good to and reimburse the county for any expenditures, including reasonable attorneys fees, the county may make by reason of such matters and, if requested by the county will defend any such suits at the sole cost and expense of the applicant.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

Permits may be amended from time to time to accommodate minor changes to the permit. The amendment shall be in the form of an attachment to the permit. A permit may not be amended or extended after the completion of filming activity.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

The applicant shall have a copy of the permit on site at all times, and shall make the copy available for inspection by the director of general services or the director's designee.

(Ord. No. 2024-23, § III(Exh. A), 12-3-24; Ord. 96-39 § 2).

The director of general services shall note on the permit any other local agencies known to the director which may have jurisdiction over the actions authorized by the permit.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

Article 56-8.6. Fees

The applicant shall pay all required fees, which fees shall reasonably reflect the cost of providing services occasioned by the filming, including permit issuance, administration, police, fire and other necessary services.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).

The director of general services shall establish a cancellation fee, which shall be retained by the county if the applicant cancels the permit after three p.m. of the last working day before the scheduled filming is to commence.

(Ord. 96-39 § 2).