Redondo Beach Municipal Code Ch. 5 Film Permit Requirements

The Film Permit requirements established in this chapter are intended to facilitate filming, videotaping, photographing, and other visual recording activities within the City, whether on public or private property, in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the public peace, quiet enjoyment, health, and safety, including traffic, parking, and pedestrian circulation, and the use of or access to public property and facilities, or unreasonably endanger any property.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall be construed as set forth, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.

"Commercial filming"

means filming for the primary purpose of commercial use, sale or distribution, including, but not limited to, filming done for compensation, the expectation of compensation, or advertising on any medium.

"Filming"

means and includes all activity related to the taking of any still photographs, and to the staging, videotaping or filming of motion pictures, television shows or programs, serials, commercials, music videos, digital media, print advertisement, training or educational videos, student films produced to satisfy a post-secondary school course requirement at an educational institution in any medium including film, tape or digital format, and to any other type of visual recording process.

"Student"

shall mean an individual enrolled in a recognized educational institution and who is conducting filming for the purpose of a class assignment or school requirement. All film permit requests shall include a student certificate from the school and a letter from the school on the school's official letterhead explaining the project requirement.

"Studio"

means a fixed place of business certified as such by the City's Fire Department where filming activities are regularly conducted on the premises.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013, as amended by § 1, Ord. 3161 c.s., eff. September 16, 2016)

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), no person shall conduct any filming in the City without a permit issued by the City.

(b) This chapter does not apply to:

(1) Filming for news media, including 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) Filming conducted solely for noncommercial purposes, including, but not limited to, personal, private or family use, which does not require the placement of equipment, parking of vehicles, or other use or control of public property to the exclusion of others;

(3) Filming conducted entirely within the premises of a validly permitted and licensed motion picture, television, radio, or photography production studio; and

(4) Filming by or for the City or other governmental agencies.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)

The City Manager or designee is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations, which have been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney. The rules and regulations shall govern the form, time and location of any filming activity set forth within the City.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)

(a) Every application for a Film Permit shall be made in the form provided by the City or designee and submitted to the Chief of the Fire Department or designee not less than five business days prior to the date upon which filming is proposed to begin.

(b) All applications of a Film Permit shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(1) The names, addresses, telephone number, email address and signature(s) of the applicant(s), or if the applicant is an organization, of its responsible officer(s);

(2) The exact location of the desired filming and the date and times therefor;

(3) A description of the nature of the filming;

(4) The name(s), email(s), and telephone number(s) of the person(s) in charge of such filming;

(5) The exact number of personnel to be involved, including cast, crew members, independent contractors, and staged crowd participants;

(6) Activity which may cause public alarm including the use of any animals, gunfire or pyrotechnics and low flying helicopters; and

(7) The exact amount/type of vehicles/equipment to be employed along with a parking plan of vehicles for the filming.

(c) Prior to issuance of a Film Permit, the Chief of the Fire Department or designee may, as he or she deems necessary from the application, refer the application to other City departments that may be impacted by the proposed filming for the departments' review, evaluation, and recommendation to approve or not approve the application.

(d) The Chief of the Fire Department or designee shall issue a Film Permit in accordance with this chapter provided the following criteria and requirements are met:

(1) The proposed filming or use of the property will not unduly interfere with traffic or pedestrian movement in the area or unduly interfere with nearby residents' or business owners' quiet, peaceful enjoyment of their property;

(2) The proposed filming or use of the property will mitigate disruptions to all persons in the affected area;

(3) The proposed filming or use of the property will not endanger public health, safety, property, or general welfare;

(4) The proposed filming will not unduly impede, obstruct or interfere with the operation of emergency vehicles or equipment in or through the permitted area; and

(5) The proposed filming will not unduly interfere with normal governmental functions or City services and operations, or conflict with previously scheduled events.

(e) The permittee shall maintain the Film Permit at the filming location at all times for the duration of the filming.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3161 c.s., eff. September 16, 2016)

The City may adopt a fee schedule. The permittee shall pay the fees in accordance with the adopted fee schedule.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)

(a) The City shall provide personnel when any services are required as a result of activities conducted pursuant to a Film Permit. Such services shall be under the City direction and control.

(b) A service charge as estimated by the City Manager or designee equal to the actual cost to the City thereof shall be paid in advance for any personnel provided to the permittee (including without limitation, police, fire, and traffic) for the purpose of assisting production. For purposes of such service charge, cost to the City includes, but is not limited to, labor, supervision, overhead, benefits, administration, equipment and materials.

(c) If the actual cost to the City exceeds the amount of the payment provided in subsection (b), the permittee shall reimburse the City for the difference. If the actual cost to the City is less than the amount of the payment provided in subsection (b), the excess should be refunded to the permittee.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)

(a) Prior to issuance of a Film Permit, the applicant shall execute a hold harmless agreement as provided by the City and submit to the Chief of the Fire Department or designee original certificates of insurance and endorsements. The insurance carrier must meet the approval of the City Risk Manager. All applicants must obtain and maintain an insurance policy with the following provisions.

(1) The City of Redondo Beach, its officers, elected and appointed officials, members of boards and commissions, employees and volunteers are named on all liability policies as insureds with respect to liability arising out of applicant's use (including all officers, employees, volunteers, and contractors) of the City facilities including work or operations performed by or on behalf of the applicant, and materials, parts or equipment furnished in connection with such work or operations.

(2) Minimum coverage of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence for general liability.

(3) Minimum coverage of $1,000,000.00 for property damage.

(4) The insurance is primary and not excess or contributing to any insurance issued in the name of the City.

(5) Workers' compensation conforming to all applicable Federal and State requirements.

(6) The insurer has waived all rights of subrogation against the City, its officers, elected and appointed officials, employees and volunteers.

(7) The applicant shall provide 30 days' written notice of any change in coverage or cancellation of the policy.

(8) Insurance shall be placed with insurers with a current A.M. Best rating of no less than A: VII, unless otherwise approved by the City's Risk Manager.

(b) Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the City's Risk Manager or designee.

(c) The applicant shall submit a refundable security deposit. Any unforeseen costs or expenses (including damage to the site), and subsequent increase in City expenses, will be deducted. If the actual cost to the City is less than the amount of the payment provided, the excess should be refunded to the permittee within 30 days of the completion of filming. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City will waive the requirement of a security deposit for filming conducted by a Student as defined in Section 6-5.02 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013, as amended by § 3, Ord. 3161 c.s., eff. September 16, 2016)

Filming dates specified in a Film Permit may be modified upon request of the permittee and approval of the Chief of the Fire Department or designee, provided the project for which the permit was issued remains unchanged and there are no objections from any affected City departments.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)

(a) The Chief of the Fire Department or designee shall deny issuance of a Film Permit if the requirements of this chapter and all applicable laws and regulations have not been met, or if the application contains incomplete, false, or misleading information.

(b) The Chief of the Fire Department or designee may immediately suspend or revoke a Film Permit if:

(1) The requirements of this chapter and all applicable laws and regulations are not met;

(2) The information supplied by the permittee becomes, or is determined to be, incomplete, false, or misleading; or

(3) Any substantial change in circumstances renders the filming detrimental to the public health, safety, property, or general welfare.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)

(a) Any person violating any provision of this chapter or knowingly or intentionally misrepresenting to any officer or employee of the City any material fact in procuring the permit provided for by this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Where the violation is of a continuing nature, each day that the violation continues constitutes a separate and distinct violation.

(b) The remedies provided in this chapter are not exclusive, and nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person from seeking other remedies, penalties or procedures provided by law.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)

A City business license is required in addition to the Film Permit pursuant to Chapter 1 of this title.

(§ 1, Ord. 3109 c.s., eff. July 4, 2013)