Monrovia Municipal Code Ch. 5.80 Filming Activities

The following definitions apply to this chapter:

CHARITABLE FILMS. Commercials, motion pictures, television programs, video tapes 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 or production of a charitable film.

FILMING or FILMING ACTIVITY. shall mean and include all activity attendant to staging or shooting motion pictures, television shows, video tapes, commercials and still photography.

STUDENT FILMS. Motion pictures, television programs, video tapes or still photography made for the purpose of a school project.

(`83 Code, § 5.80.010) (Ord. 89-32 § 1 (part), 1989)

(A) No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence for the purpose of filming activity without first applying for and receiving a permit as provided in this chapter.

(B) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or affect reporters, photographers or camera operators in the employ of a newspaper, news service or similar entity engaged in covering newsworthy events, nor shall it apply to filming solely for private, noncommercial use. Charitable films and student films must obtain a permit and reimburse the city for the reasonable cost of personnel and equipment, but are exempt from permit fees.

(`83 Code, § 5.80.020) (Ord. 89-32 § 1 (part), 1989)

(A) The issuing authority shall be the City Manager or his or her designee.

(B) Applications shall include information required by the State Model Film Permit Application and such additional information as the City Manager may require, including the following:

(1) The name and address of the location, and the name, address and telephone number of the person or persons in charge of the filming activity;

(2) The name, address and telephone number of the production company, and the production number;

(3) The dates and time of all proposed filming;

(4) A description of the proposed filming activity, including any proposed use of animals, pyrotechnics, or special effects;

(5) The number of personnel expected at the location;

(6) The exact amount and type of all vehicles (including employees' private vehicles) and equipment at each location, and a proposed parking plan;

(7) Any special requests or requirements, such as traffic control, road blocks or crowd control;

(8) Any other information deemed necessary by the City Manager.

(C) The City Manager shall determine the number of fire, police and other city personnel necessary to ensure that the filming activity does not endanger the health and safety of persons or property in the area of the filming location, to minimize the disruption to business or residents in the area, and to minimize traffic congestion. Based upon that determination and the number of hours of proposed filming activity, the applicant shall give written evidence of its agreement to reimburse the city in an amount necessary to cover the expense to city by providing such police, fire and other personnel. The City Manager may require the applicant to deposit the estimated cost of such personnel and equipment in advance.

(D) To ensure cleanup and restoration of the filming location, the applicant may be required to post a refundable deposit in an amount not to exceed $1,000 at the time the application is submitted. Upon completion of filming and inspection of the site by the city, all or a portion of the deposit may be returned.

(E) The applicant shall pay a permit fee in the amount set by Council resolution.

(F) The application shall be accompanied by a certificate of insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000, on which the city, its officers, agents and employees shall be designated as additional insured parties. Where it is proposed that filming will occur in or about the facilities of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the certificate shall also designate the district as an additional insured party.

(G) Prior to issuance of the permit, the applicant shall be encouraged to consult with neighboring businesses and/or residents and submit with the application suitable evidence showing that such business or residents do not object to the proposed filming activity. Where it is apparent that the filming activity will be unduly disruptive to neighboring businesses and/or residences, and that any number of neighboring businesses and residents have not consented to the filming activity, the City Manager may delay issuance of the permit to determine the reasons, if any, for opposition to the proposed filming activity.

(H) The Central Business District, as depicted and defined in Title 17 of this code, is hereby declared to be a sensitive area where filming activities have a greater potential for disrupting businesses and causing undue economic hardship on affected businesses and property owners. Permits for filming within the Central Business District shall be issued after it is determined by the City Manager that the applicant has submitted suitable evidence of consent by such affected businesses and property owners.

(I) Applications shall be submitted at least two working days before the proposed filming activity. Where such activity will interfere with traffic, involves potential public safety hazards, or requires other special assistance from the city, the processing time may be increased by the City Manager to a maximum of four working days. Where such activity requires road closures or multiple-day traffic control, the processing time may be increased by the City Manager to a maximum of ten working days.

(J) Upon submission of a completed application, the permit fee, the required deposits and the certificate of insurance, and upon determining that the proposed filming activity will not unduly disrupt neighboring business and/or residents, the City Manager shall issue the permit. In all cases, issuance of a permit shall depend upon the availability of police, fire and other necessary personnel, and equipment. Conditions may be attached to a permit to insure a minimum of danger to the health and safety of persons, disruption of neighboring businesses and residents, and traffic congestion.

(K) Written permit applications may be filed in person, by mail or by facsimile machine. Where it is impractical to submit a written permit application, an oral permit application may be made by telephone during regular city hall business hours; provided, that appropriate documents and signatures must be obtained by the city two days prior to filming. Applications on the State Uniform Permit Application will be accepted.

(`83 Code, § 5.80.030) (Ord. 89-32 § 1 (part), 1989)

(A) Upon the request of the applicant, the City Manager may, upon a showing of good cause, change the date for which the permit has been issued, provided established limitations are complied with in respect to time and location. Mirror modifications to any permit, once issued, shall be accommodated by use of a permit rider.

(B) The City Manager may temporarily suspend filming activity when police and fire personnel assigned to the location are required to respond to an emergency elsewhere in the city.

(C) A permit may be revoked in the following circumstances:

(1) Where there has been a material misrepresentation in the permit application with respect to the nature of the filming activity, the number of personnel or equipment, or other relevant matter.

(2) Where the filming activity, as conducted, has become a hazard to persons or property, or unduly disruptive to neighboring businesses or residents.

(D) No person shall conduct, or continue to conduct, filming activity after suspension or revocation of a filming permit.

(`83 Code, § 5.80.040) (Ord. 89-32 § 1 (part), 1989)

(A) The City Manager is authorized to issue rules and regulations governing the issuance of permits pursuant to this chapter and the conducting of filming activities. Such rules and regulations shall have as their objective the protection of the health and safety of the persons affected by filming activity, the avoidance of undue disruptions of persons within the area of a filming location, the safety of property, and avoidance of traffic congestion.

(B) The City Manager may delegate the responsibilities placed upon him by this chapter to such subordinate officers and employees as he deems appropriate.

(`83 Code, § 5.80.050) (Ord. 89-32 § 1 (part), 1989)