Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code Ch. 9.16 Still Photography, Motion Picture and Television Productions

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Motion picture or television productions means all activity attendant to staging or shooting commercial motion pictures, television shows, programs, or commercials.

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

(Code 1981, § 9.16.010; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence for the purpose of producing, taking or making any motion picture or television production or engaging in still commercial photography without a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.020; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:

A. Current news which includes reporters, photographers or videographers in the employ of a newspaper, news service, broadcasting station or similar entity engaged in the broadcasting of news events.

B. Charitable purposes which include productions which are conducted or carried on wholly for a charitable purpose or from which no profit is derived, either directly or indirectly; provided, however, that such charitable production shall be exempt only from the provisions of section 9.16.050 (Permit fees).

C. Commercial still photography and videography on city-owned property for groups of individuals, where no props are being used in the photographs and/or videos, and where the photographs and/or videos are for the private and noncommercial use of the persons being photographed and/or recorded; provided that all city regulations and policies for the use of the city property are observed at all times; and provided that no group may utilize the property for photographic and/or videographic purposes for more than 45 minutes within a 24-hour period.

D. Commercial still photography and videography on city-owned property for groups and/or individuals when occurring in conjunction with the authorized use or rental of the city-owned property for an event, pursuant to an approved rental agreement with the city, provided that all city regulations and policies for the use of the property are observed at all times.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.030; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982; Ord. No. 536, § 1, 5-29-2012)

Any person desiring a permit under the provisions of this chapter shall make application on the appropriate form provided by the city manager or their designee. Such application shall be submitted at least three 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, application should be made two weeks in advance. The city manager may waive the requirement that applications be filed three days in advance when in their opinion neither the city nor general public will be inconvenienced or harmed by them doing so.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.040; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

Each application shall be accompanied by a fee as established by resolution of the city council.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.050; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

The city manager shall issue a permit as provided for in this chapter when, from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may be otherwise obtained, they find that:

A. The conduct of such activity will not unduly interfere with traffic or pedestrian movement or endanger public safety. That no residential streets will be completely closed to traffic and that prior to any filming, etc., the concerned residents will be notified in writing two weeks beforehand.

B. The conduct of such activity will not unduly interfere with normal governmental or city operations, threaten to result in damage or detriment to private or public property, or result in the city incurring costs or expenditures in either money or personnel not reimbursed in advance by the applicant.

C. The conduct of such activity will not constitute a fire hazard and all proper safety precautions will be taken.

The decision of the city manager to issue, conditionally issue, or not issue a permit shall be final unless appealed in writing within five working days of the decision by requesting a hearing of the city council at the next available meeting.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.060; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

If deemed necessary by the city manager, additional sheriff, fire, lifeguards, and other city services shall be provided for the purpose of protecting, assisting and regulating the proposed activity. The cost of providing such additional services shall be paid to the city by the applicant. Any additional city services will be provided/coordinated through the city manager or their designee.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.070; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

The city shall require, as a condition of issuing such a permit, that the applicant furnish a bond, insurance or both in an amount of $1,000,000.00 to protect the city against claims of third persons for personal injury, wrongful death and property damage and to indemnify the city for damage to city property arising out of the permittees' activities. A copy of the bond or policy will remain on file with the application. The amount of bond or insurance may be reduced by the city manager if they determine that the proposed activity has little or no liability or property damage risk, or increased if, in their opinion, the type of activity being conducted warrants a higher amount.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.080; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

The applicant shall execute a hold harmless agreement as provided by the city prior to the issuance of any permit.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.090; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

The applicant shall comply with any conditions or restrictions the city may impose as a condition to issuing a permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter when such conditions or restrictions relate to the provisions of section 9.16.060 (Permit issuance; conditions). No changes shall be made without first obtaining the city's approval.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.100; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

The applicant 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 within four hours of the completion of the activity and meet approval. Applicant shall be responsible for restoring any area damaged or disrupted before leaving the site. If the site is not repaired or restored to city's satisfaction, the city manager shall have the necessary restoration and/or repairs performed and shall pay for said work from the bond posted with the city for faithful performance.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.110; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)

Violation of the provisions of this chapter is determined to be a misdemeanor and may be punishable by a fine of $500.00, six months in the county jail, or by both fine and punishment.

(Code 1981, § 9.16.120; Ord. No. 147, § 1(part), 1982)