Oakland Municipal Code Ch. 5.24 Filming Permits

It is the purpose of this chapter to provide rules governing the issuance of permits for filming activities on location within the city. The intent of this chapter is to ensure that still photographers and motion picture, television, commercial and non-theatrical filming companies will be encouraged to use locations for filming activities within the city so long as those activities are consistent with the public safety and the protection of property.

(Prior code § 17-1.01)

As used in this chapter:

"Applicant" means the person, organization, corporation, association or other entity applying for a permit to film in the city of Oakland.

"City" means the city of Oakland as a municipal corporation and existing pursuant to the laws of the state of California.

"Film Development Office" means the office designated by the Mayor and the City Council to coordinate filming and issue film permits in the City of Oakland.

"Filming activity" means the staging, shooting, filming, videotaping, photographing, or other similar process conducted for the making of still photographs, motion pictures, television programs, commercial and nontheatrical film productions.

"Film permit" means written authorization from the city's representative designated by City Council to conduct the filming activity described in the permit.

"News purposes" means a filming activity conducted for the purpose of reporting on persons, events, or scenes which are in the news for newspapers, television news, and other news media.

"Permittee" means the person, organization, corporation, association or other entity issued a film permit under this policy.

"Public street" means any street or road maintained by the city and located within the city limits.

"Still photography" means and includes all activity attendant to staging or shooting commercial still photographs.

"Student filming activity" means filming activity conducted to fulfill a course requirement by a student enrolled at a public or private school.

"Studio" means a fixed place of business where filming activities are regularly conducted upon the premises.

(Prior code § 17-1.02)

It is unlawful to conduct a filming activity as defined in Section 5.24.020 within the city without first obtaining a film permit from the Film Development Office.

A permit is issued by the Film Development Office for the purpose of filming on city-owned, leased or controlled real property or city streets. This permit does not constitute or grant permission to use or occupy property not owned, leased or controlled by the city. This permit must be in the possession of the permittee at all times while on location in Oakland.

An applicant shall obtain the private property owner's permission, consent, and/or lease for use of property not owned or controlled by the city.

(Prior code § 17-1.03)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any of the following activities provided that the activity will not require the closure of a public street, or substantially impede vehicular traffic thereon:

A. Filming activities conducted for news purposes as defined in Section 5.24.020;

B. Filming activities conducted at studios as defined in Section 5.24.020;

C. Filming activities conducted for use in a criminal investigation or civil or criminal court proceeding;

D. Noncommercial filming activities conducted on private property solely for private or family use;

E. Commercial still photography or staging thereof, when conducted to the exclusion of any other filming activity as defined in Section 5.24.020, when the following conditions apply:

1. The still photography, or staging thereof, will not be conducted on city property.

2. The still photography, or staging thereof, will not require the parking of more than two motor vehicles on any public street within the city;

F. Filming activities conducted by or for the city.

(Prior code § 17-1.04)

Applications for a film permit must be filed with the Film Development Office a minimum of two business days in advance of the date the film activity is to begin, except that of an application for a permit which includes street closures, stunts, or pyrotechnics which must be filed a minimum of five business days in advance of the first day of filming.

No late applications will be processed by the city unless the Film Development Office determines that special circumstances exist relative to the application which would have precluded its application on a timely basis.

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications at the earliest advance date possible in order to facilitate coordination between city departments.

Upon such showing of good cause, the Film Development Office shall consider applications which are filed after the filing deadline if there is sufficient time to process and investigate the application, and for city staff to prepare for the filming activity.

(Prior code § 17-1.05)

The permit application shall be on a form furnished by the Film Development Office signed by the applicant or agent thereof. Such form shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

A. Name, address, and telephone number of applicant;

B. Name, address, and telephone number of person in charge of filming on location;

C. Filming location(s), dates and approximate daily call times of proposed filming activity;

D. Description of scenes to be filmed including details of any hazardous filming activity employing firearms, explosives, the use of open flame, other pyrotechnical effects, animals, stunts, filming of moving motor vehicles, watercraft or aircraft;

E. Description of the types and number of motor vehicles which will be parked on public streets, and description of any equipment to be placed on public property;

F. Evidence of adequate insurance certification as stipulated by Section 5.24.110;

G. Such other information as the Film Development Office may require.

(Prior code § 17-1.06)

A. The application shall be approved or denied within two (2) business days of receipt of the application unless the proposed filming activity requires extensive review by other city departments due to fire or traffic safety. The film permit shall be approved by the Film Development Office unless determined from consideration of the application or other pertinent information, that any of the following conditions exist:

1. The filming activity will substantially disrupt the use of a street at a time when it is usually subject to traffic congestion, or interfere with the operation of emergency vehicles in the proposed permit area.

2. The location of the filming activity will substantially interfere with street maintenance work, or a previously authorized excavation permit.

3. The proposed permit location is on city property and the filming activity will substantially interfere with other previously authorized activities, contracts or safety of the public or employees while on city property.

4. The proposed permit location is on city property and the filming activity will substantially interfere with municipal functions or the scheduled maintenance of city buildings or grounds.

5. The filming activity creates a substantial risk of injury to persons or damage to property.

6. The applicant failed to complete the application after being requested to do so, or the information contained in the application is found to be false in any material detail.

7. The particular filming activity would violate federal, state, or local law including licensing or permit requirements.

B. When the grounds for permit denial can be corrected by imposing reasonable permit conditions, the Film Development Office may impose such conditions rather than denying the permit.

(Prior code § 17-1.07)

The Film Development Office may condition the issuance of a film permit by imposing reasonable requirements concerning the time, place, manner and duration of filming activities as referenced on the "Terms and Conditions" attached to the film permit, including but not limited to, the following:

A. Requirements for the presence of employees of the city at the applicant's expense, when required for the particular filming activity;

B. Requirements concerning posting of no parking signs, placement of traffic control devices, and employment of traffic and crowd control monitors at the applicant's expense;

C. Requirements concerning posting of the outer boundaries of the filming activity, and providing advance notice to affected property owners/businesses;

D. Requirements concerning the cleanup and restoration of public streets and city property employed in the filming activity;

E. Restrictions concerning the use of city employee services, vehicles and other equipment in the filming activity;

F. Requirements that the applicant pay all fees, and obtain all permits and licenses required for the filming activity under local, state and federal law;

G. Restrictions on the use of firearms, explosions, and other noise-creating or hazardous devices which disturb the peace.

H. Restrictions on the use of stunts involving pyrotechnics, open flame, vehicle crashes or other hazardous materials.

I. Requirements concerning coverup of police, fire and other official uniforms worn by actors, when the actors are not on camera;

J. Restrictions concerning the use of city logos, insignias, badges or decals for filming purposes;

K. Restrictions on the daily hours the filming activity may be conducted within the city;

L. Requirements concerning the city's receipt of proper acknowledgement for any assistance provided in making feature, television, or commercial productions;

M. Requirements concerning affirmative action and nondiscriminatory practices for employment.

(Prior code § 17-1.08)

A. A schedule of fees for city services and use of city property shall be established as part of the city's master fee schedule, Ordinance No. 9336 C.M.S.

B. The applicant shall pay all costs incurred by the city in providing city employees to be present during filming activity.

(Prior code § 17-1.09)

Upon reasonable notice by the permittee in advance of the filming activity, the Film Development Office is authorized to change the date for which the film permit has been issued without requiring a new application or permit.

(Prior code § 17-1.10)

The applicant for a film permit shall procure and maintain for the duration of the film activity insurance in the forms, types, and amounts prescribed by the city's Risk Manager.

(Prior code § 17-1.11)

Prior to the issuance of the film permit, the permit applicant must agree in writing to comply with the "Filming Permit Terms and Conditions."

(Prior code § 17-1.12)

The permittee, and all agents, employees, and contractors of the permittee at the filming activity site within the city, shall comply with the following requirements:

A. The permittee shall comply in writing with all "Term and Conditions" of the film permit.

B. The permittee shall not conduct a filming activity within the city not authorized by the filming permit.

C. The permittee shall comply with instructions made by the Oakland Police Department officer(s) assigned to police the filming activity site.

D. The permittee shall comply with instructions made by city employees assigned to regulate the filming activity site.

E. The permittee shall clean and restore all city-owned property utilized during the filming activity to the same condition as existed prior to the filming activity.

F. The permittee shall comply with this chapter and all other policies and ordinances of the city and state and federal law.

(Prior code § 17-1.13)

The applicant for a film permit may request that the city authorize a street closure on the film permit application. A short-term encroachment permit shall be granted by the Chief of Police or his or her designee.

(Prior code § 17-1.14)

During the filming of any special effect or stunt requiring the use of pyrotechnics or any material deemed hazardous, including but not limited to fireworks, open flames, or explosives, the applicant must obtain a fire permit by the Oakland Fire Department.

(Prior code § 17-1.15)

A. Permit Revocation. The Film Development Office may revoke the film permit if the permittee, or any agents, employees or contractors of the permittee fail to comply with the requirements set forth in Section 5.24.13A through F, or if the Film Development Office determines after the permit is issued that the permit application was false in any material detail.

1. Notice of the grounds for revocation of the film permit shall be provided in writing by the Film Development Office to the permit applicant or person in charge at the location of the filming activity.

2. Appeals of the permit revocation shall be conducted in the manner specified in Section 5.24.170.

B. Permit Suspension. The Oakland Police Department officer assigned to police the filming activity site may suspend the film permit when the filming activity poses an immediate hazard to persons or property and the location manager will not, or cannot, prevent the hazard after being instructed to do so by the officer.

1. The grounds for the permit suspension shall be provided in writing by the Film Development Office to the permittee within one business day of the suspension.

2. Appeals of the permit suspension shall be conducted in the manner specified in Section 5.24.170.

(Prior code § 17-1.16)

The permit applicant or permittee may appeal a permit denial, revocation, suspension, permit condition, insurance/fees requirement or the Film Development Office's decision not to waive a deadline set forth in this policy. Such appeal shall be filed with the City Manager's Office not later than five business days after the date written notice of the decision is made. Failure to file timely appeal shall result in a waiver to the right to appeal. The appeal shall be heard by the City Manager or his or her designee.

The City Manager or his or her designee shall hold a hearing no later than five business days after the filing of the appeal, and shall render his or her decision not later than two business days after the appeal hearing. The decision of the City Manager may be appealed to the City Council at its next available meeting. The decision of the City Council shall be final.

(Prior code § 17-1.17)

The violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute an infraction.

(Prior code § 17-1.18)

A. Establishment and Purpose. This Section establishes the City of Oakland Film Rebate Program and authorizes the City Administrator to process rebate applications and award such rebates to film permittees who meet the eligibility criteria described herein for expenses eligible for rebate, to the extent that funding exists within the Film Rebate Program established herein. The purpose of the City of Oakland Film Rebate Program is to increase the number of film productions occurring within the City of Oakland with the benefits of generating local employment and business opportunities, attracting new tax revenues to support City services, and providing outlets for artistic expression.

B. Film Rebate Program. The Film Rebate Program is hereby created. Monies appropriated or otherwise deposited into the Film Rebate Program shall be used only for the purposes listed in this Section. The City Administrator shall administer the funds for these purposes. Additional monies may be deposited into the Film Rebate Program through voluntary donations made to the program.

1. Each fiscal year the City Administrator shall make no less than ten percent (10%) of Film Rebate Program funds available to film permittees with expenditures between fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) and two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00). Film permittees producing commercial advertising shall not be eligible for a rebate under this Subparagraph 1.

C. Eligibility Criteria. An applicant who has received a film permit under this Chapter, herein referred to as film permittees, must satisfy the following criteria to qualify for a rebate of eligible City of Oakland expenses:

1. The filming activity and production thereof shall have a minimum aggregate expenditure of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) unless the film permittee applies for funding pursuant to Subsection 5.24.190 B.1.; and

2. The film permittee shall provide film skills and training to Oakland residents in a form to be determined by the Film Development Office.

D. Eligible Expenses. The following expenses paid by the film permittee or its agent are eligible under the Film Rebate Program:

1. Any item or service purchased or rented from a business located within the City of Oakland.

2. The hourly pay or salaries of City of Oakland residents during filming activity or post-production.

E. Rebate Amounts. The City may provide rebates to film permittees that received a film permit after the effective date of this Section and that satisfy the eligibility criteria described in Subsection 5.24.190 C. for eligible expenses as described in Subsection 5.24.190 D. as follows:

1. A ten percent (10%) rebate on all eligible expenses.

2. An additional two and one-half percent (2.5%) rebate on hourly pay or salaries of Oakland residents from the Oakland zip codes with the top five (5) highest levels of unemployment as determined annually by the Economic and Workforce Development Department.

3. An additional two and one-half percent (2.5%) rebate on expenses from businesses located in the top five (5) Oakland zip codes with the highest levels of unemployment as determined annually by the Economic and Workforce Development Department.

4. An additional two and one-half percent (2.5%) rebate on expenses from worker-owned cooperative businesses as defined by the Economic and Workforce Development Department.

F. Effective Only if Funding is Available. The Film Rebate Program outlined in this Section shall only be effective if funding is available within the Film Rebate Program.

G. Authority to Promulgate Regulations. The Film Development Office shall establish regulations outlining the application process and how to qualify for a rebate pursuant to this Section.

(Ord. No. 13808, § 2, 7-16-2024)