Chapter 5.64

MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION FILMING

Motion picture, television, still photography. All activity attendant to staging or shooting commercial motion pictures, television shows or programs, commercials, web- and mobilebased programming, and student films produced to satisfy a post-secondary school course requirement at any educational institution in any medium including film, tape or digital format.

News media. The filming or video taping for the purpose of spontaneous, unplanned television news broadcast by reporters, photographers, or cameramen. (Prior code § 11E-1)

• A. No person shall use any public or private property, facility, or residence for the purpose of taking commercial motion pictures or television pictures or commercial still photography without first applying for and receiving a permit from the Planning Director or designee.

• B. Exemptions.

  1. News Media. The provision of this chapter shall not apply to or affect reporters, photographers, or camerapersons in the employ of a newspaper, news service, or similar entity engaged in on-the-spot print media, publishing or broadcasting of news events concerning those persons, scenes or occurrences which are in the news and of general public interest.

2. The filming or video taping of motion pictures solely for private-family use.

(Prior code § 11E-2; Ord. 1198, 4/22/2025)

• A. The following information shall be included in the application:

  1. The name of the owner or representative of the property, the address, email address and telephone number of the place at which the activity is to be conducted;

  2. The specific location at such address or place;

  3. The inclusive hours and dates such activity will transpire;

  4. A general statement of the character or nature of the proposed filming activity;

  5. The name, address, and telephone number of the person or persons in charge of such filming activity;

  6. The exact number of personnel to be involved;

  7. Activity which may cause public alarm, such as the use of any animals, gunfire or pyrotechnics and low-flying helicopters;

  8. The exact amount and type of vehicles and equipment to be involved;

  9. Services of City employees desired or required on location during filming:

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City of Paramount, CA § 5.64.030

BUSINESS LICENSES REGULATIONS

§ 5.64.050

Reimbursement for Personnel. The production company shall reimburse the City of Paramount for any personnel provided to the company (e.g., police, fire, traffic) for the purpose of assisting the production.

10. Owner's written permission, consent, and/or lease for use of property;

11. Affidavit acknowledging receipt of the "Filmmaker's Code of Conduct" guidelines for location filming; and

12. Such other information as deemed reasonably necessary by the Planning Director or designee.

• B. There is no fee for location filming permits. (Prior code § 11E-3; Ord. 1198, 4/22/2025)

• A. Liability Insurance. Before a permit is issued, a certificate of insurance will be required in an amount not less than $1,000,000.00 naming the City of Paramount as a coinsured for protection against claims of third persons for personal injuries, wrongful deaths, and property damage. The City officers and employees shall be named as additional insureds. The certificate shall not be subject to cancellation or modification until after 30 days' written notice to the City.

• B. Workers' Compensation Insurance. An applicant shall conform to all applicable Federal and State requirements for workers' compensation insurance for all persons operating under a permit.

• C. Hold Harmless Agreement. An applicant shall execute a hold harmless agreement as provided by the City of Paramount prior to the issuance of a permit under this chapter.

• D. Faithful Performance Security Deposit.

  1. To ensure cleanup and restoration of the site, and protect against damage to City property, an applicant may be required to post a refundable security deposit at the time their application is submitted. Upon completion of filming and inspection of the site by the City of Paramount, the deposit will be returned to the applicant if the site is deemed to have been restored to its original condition.

  2. The minimum security deposit will be $2,500.00, and subject to increase for film shoots containing extreme action or pyrotechnics.

• (Prior code § 11E-4)

• A. The rules and regulations shall be based upon the following criteria:

  1. The health and safety of all persons;

  2. Avoidance of undue disruption of all persons within the affected area;

  3. The safety of property within the City; and

  4. Traffic congestion at particular locations within the City.

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City of Paramount, CA § 5.64.050

PARAMOUNT CODE

§ 5.64.050

• B. The Planning Director or designee is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations, governing the form, time, and location of any film activity set forth within the City. Such rules and regulations shall include the following:

  1. Advance Notice for Approval. An applicant will be required to submit a permit request at least five working days prior to the date on which such person desires to conduct an activity for which a permit is required. If such activity interferes with traffic or involves potential public safety hazards, an application may be required at least 10 working days in advance.

  2. Change of Date. The Planning Director or designee shall have the power, upon a showing of good cause, to change the date for which the permit has been issued provided established limitations are complied with in respect to time and location.

  3. Cleanup. The permittee shall conduct operations in an orderly fashion with continuous attention to the storage of equipment not in use and the cleanup of trash and debris. The area used shall be cleaned of trash and debris upon completion of shooting at the scene and restored to the original condition before leaving the site.

  4. Filming on Private Property. An applicant is required to obtain the property owner's permission, consent, and/or lease for use of property not owned or controlled by the City of Paramount.

  5. Flood Control. When filming in a flood control channel, an applicant must vacate the channel when the permit indicates or when notified by the City because of water releases or rain. When filming in or on flood control properties, the appropriate flood control agency must be named as an additional insured.

  6. Public Works (Roads and Streets). If the applicant must park equipment, trucks, and/ or cars in zones that will not permit it, temporary "No Parking" signs must be posted by the City of Paramount. The applicant must also obtain permission to string cable across sidewalks, or from generator to service point.

  7. Traffic Control. For filming that would impair traffic flow, an applicant must use law enforcement personnel and comply with all traffic control requirements deemed necessary.

     • a. An applicant shall furnish and install advance warning signs and any other traffic control devices in conformance with the most recent version of the Traffic Manual, Chapter 5, State of California, Department of Transportation. All appropriate safety precautions must be taken.

• b. Traffic may be restricted to one 12-foot lane of traffic and/or stopped intermittently. The period of time that traffic may be restricted will be determined by the City of Paramount, based on location.

  - c. Traffic shall not be detoured across a double line without prior approval of the appropriate department representative. 
  
  - d. Unless authorized by the City of Paramount, the camera cars must be driven in the direction of traffic and must observe all traffic laws. 
  
  - e. Any emergency road work or construction by City or County crews and/or
  

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City of Paramount, CA § 5.64.050

BUSINESS LICENSES REGULATIONS

§ 5.64.060

• private contractors, under permit or contract to the appropriate department, shall have priority over filming activities.

8. Parking Lots. When parking in a municipal parking lot, an applicant may be billed according to the current rate schedule established by the City of Paramount. In order to assure the safety of citizens in the surrounding community, access roads which serve as emergency service roads must never be blocked. No relocation, alteration, or moving of structures will be permitted without prior approval.

(Prior code § 11E-5; Ord. 1198, 4/22/2025)

If an applicant violates any provision of this chapter or a permit issued pursuant thereto, the Planning Director or designee may provide the applicant with verbal or written notice of such violation. If the applicant fails to correct the violation, the City may revoke the permit and all activity must cease.

(Prior code § 11E-6; Ord. 1198, 4/22/2025)

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City of Paramount, CA

BUSINESS LICENSES REGULATIONS

§ 5.68.010

§ 5.68.010