Chapter 24 — ISSUANCE OF FILMING PERMITS AND FEES

Section

• 41.2401 Purposes.
• 41.2402 Authority.
• 41.2403 Permits Required.
• 41.2404 Exemptions; Fees/Charges and Permits.
• 41.2405 Film Office.
• 41.2406 Notification of District.
• 41.2407 Film Office Liaison Functions
• 41.2408 County Permits, Fees, Costs and Reimbursements.
• 41.2409 Billing Procedures.
• 41.2410 Indemnification.
• 41.2411 Insurance.
• 41.2412 Film Credits
• 41.2413 Other Regulatory Provisions.

Film, television, and commercial production play an important role in the economy of San Bernardino County that should be encouraged. This Chapter will further such activities within the County by authorizing a centralized Film Office that will coordinate filming permits and fee processing and encourage filming activity. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

Pursuant to Government Code §§ 14999.20, 14999.21 and 65850.1(a), the Board of Supervisors has authority to adopt an ordinance governing the issuance of permits to engage in the use of property for occasional commercial filming on location, establishing a centralized County permit processing office, and authorizing use of a permit application form. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

Except as set forth herein, a filming permit shall be required for all commercial filming done in the unincorporated area of San Bernardino County, or when facilities are used that belong to, are managed by, or are under the jurisdiction of the County of San Bernardino. Filming permits shall, unless otherwise specified herein, be required for all visual recording processes that record motion. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

(a) Full Exemptions. The following uses are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a filming permit, but must otherwise comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations: (1) Activity at an existing approved film studio. A filming permit will only be required if filming is done away from a permanent facility approved for such use; (2) Filming activity for private or family use; (3) Filming activity for use in criminal or civil proceedings; (4) News media filming activity; (5) Filming activity for educational and governmental purposes; (6) Local origination programs for cable television systems franchised with the County; and (7) Filming of emergencies including, but not limited to, fire, floods and emergency police activities. (b) Partial Exemptions. The following users are required to apply for a filming permit and to pay all fees, costs and reimbursements except for the filming permit processing fee referred to in § 41.2408(a) and set forth in § 16.0210A of the San Bernardino County Code, from which they are exempt. (1) Charitable filming activity; and (2) Filming activity by a student who has submitted a letter written on school letterhead by a school administrator or instructor stating that the applicant is currently enrolled in a recognized U. S. educational institution and that the film shall not be commercially released in any manner whatsoever. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

The Board shall designate a liaison between persons seeking filming permits (“permittees”) and the County, which liaison shall be referred to as the “Film Office.” In addition, the Film Office will promote filming activities in San Bernardino County, will assist production companies in finding filming locations within San Bernardino County, will maintain a location photograph library, will coordinate with local businesses for production company support, and will serve as a marketing agent for the County. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

Upon the filing of an application for a filming permit, the Film Office will give written notification of the filing of the application to the County Supervisor for the district wherein the filming will be done. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

The Film Office will act as liaison between permittees and the County for obtaining filming permits and paying County fees and other costs. Each County department shall have final approval or denial authority for use of the County properties for which it is responsible, and for issuance of permits for which it is responsible. When necessary, the Film Office may facilitate direct contact between permittees and any County department or employee. The Film Office shall remit to the County all fees, costs and reimbursements collected on behalf of the County. (a) County Administrative Office. All requests for use of County facilities must be coordinated through the County Administrative Office or the designated department head for the facility for which the request is being made. (b) County Fire Department. Permittees shall comply, at all times, with the Uniform Fire Code. On behalf of the County Fire Department, the Film Office will accept applications for fire safety permits. The Film Office will remit all County Fire Department fees and gather the required information and documentation for submittal to the County Fire Department. Once all requested information is received by the County Fire Department, the application will be reviewed. When approved, fire safety permits shall be delivered by the County Fire Department to the Film Office. The Film Office will then forward the fire safety permits to the permittee. The hard copy of the fire safety permit will be maintained on file with the County Fire Department. At the discretion of the County Fire Department, an event may require standby fire department personnel or equipment for public safety. These costs shall be paid as set forth hereafter. (c) Sheriff’s Department. (1) Sheriff’s Facilities and Services. The Film Office shall coordinate the assistance of the Sheriff’s Department in filming activities through the Public Affairs Division of the Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department shall charge permittees for use of Sheriff’s equipment, facilities and services, and for reimbursement of the costs therefore.

(2) Bomb/Arson Unit. On behalf of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit (Bomb/Arson Unit), the Film Office will accept site permit applications from California State Fire Marshal- licensed pyrotechnic and special effects operators. The Film Office will be responsible for verifying the operator’s state and federal licenses. If explosives, as defined in Health and Safety Code §§ 12000 et seq., will be used and/or stored within the County of San Bernardino, and such explosives are not listed on Table 14A “Special Effects Materials” of California Code of Regulations, title 19, § 992.23, then an additional permit must first be obtained from the Bomb/Arson Unit and an explosive storage inspection shall be completed. If a member of the Bomb/Arson Unit is required to stand by during the filming operation, the Film Office will collect fees and remit those fees to the Sheriff's Department. If there is any question as to the validity of a State or Federal license, the individual will be directed to the Bomb/Arson Unit prior to the issuance of a permit. Applicants for permits under this Subdivision (c)(2), and holders thereof, shall at all times comply with all laws, regulations and ordinances concerning explosives and pyrotechnic devices including, but not limited to, Health and Safety Code §§ 12000 et seq., regulations promulgated by the State Fire Marshal, § 45.0101 of the San Bernardino County Code, and other applicable law. (d) Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services. The Division of Environmental Health Services of the County will provide assistance to the Film Office as needed. All filming sites shall be kept in a safe and sanitary condition. All trash shall be contained in proper receptacles and disposed of by a San Bernardino County permitted refuse hauler. All pumping of portable toilets must be done by a liquid waste hauler with a permit from San Bernardino County. Food vehicles and food caterers shall be approved and permitted by Environmental Health Services prior to filming, if food is to be provided on site, unless otherwise agreed by Environmental Health Services. To expedite this process, the Film Office will gather the required information and documentation for submittal to Environmental Health Services. All required permit fees will be paid to the Film Office and forwarded to Environmental Health Services. (e) County Parks and County Museums. (1) Regional Parks. The Film Office will coordinate filming activity involving County Parks through the Department of Public Works, specifically the Regional Parks Division. The Film Office will accept applications for filming activity and gather all required documentation and information from the applicant. A completed application and supporting documentation will be submitted by the Film Office to the Regional Parks Division for its review and approval. The Regional Parks Division will determine if any park personnel will be required to be present during filming. The Regional Parks Division will forward approved permits to the Film Office and maintain a hard copy on file until such time as it may be destroyed pursuant to law. (2) County Museum. The Film Office will coordinate filming activity involving County museums through County Museum. The Film Office will accept applications for filming activity and gather all required documentation and information from the applicant. A completed application and supporting documentation will be submitted by the Film Office to County Museum for its review and approval. County Museum will determine if any museum personnel will be required to be present during filming. County Museum will forward approved permits to the Film Office and maintain a hard copy on file until such time as it may be destroyed pursuant to law. (f) Transportation/Flood Control Department. On behalf of the Transportation/Flood Control Department, the Film Office will accept applications and fees for filming activity and for road encroachment permits. The Film Office will obtain all necessary information from a permittee and supply it to the Department. The Film Office will pay to the Transportation/Flood Control Department all fees and other monies collected from a permittee. If the activity must be approved by the California Highway Patrol, a permit will not be issued until proof of such approval is submitted to the Transportation/Flood Control Department, directly or via the Film Office. When approved, the permit will be forwarded to the Film Office which will then forward the permit to the permittee. The Transportation/Flood Control Department will retain the hard copy on file until such time as it may be destroyed pursuant to law. (g) Airports Department. On behalf of the San Bernardino County Airports Department, the Film Office will accept applications and fees for filming activity on County controlled airports. The Film Office will forward all required fees to the Airports Department, collect all necessary information and documentation from the Permittee, and provide it to the Airports Department. When approved by the Airports Department, the permit will be forwarded to the Film Office, which will then forward it to the permittee. A hard copy of the permit will be maintained on file with the Airports Department until such time as it may be destroyed pursuant to law. (h) Building and Safety Division. When applicable, the Building and Safety Division will review and approve permit applications that involve the construction of new sets, or the physical alteration of existing buildings within the County unincorporated areas. This activity will be coordinated through the Film Office, which will accept applications from Permittees and will pay to the Building and Safety Division any fees that the Film Office collects on its behalf. The Film Office may refer permittees to the Building and Safety Division when direct contact would expe

r the physical alteration of existing buildings within the County unincorporated areas. This activity will be coordinated through the Film Office, which will accept applications from Permittees and will pay to the Building and Safety Division any fees that the Film Office collects on its behalf. The Film Office may refer permittees to the Building and Safety Division when direct contact would expedite processing the permit application. (i) Special Districts Department. On behalf of the Special Districts Department, the Film Office will accept applications and fees for filming activities in areas under the jurisdiction of, or facilities managed or administered by the Special Districts Department including, but not limited to, Board-governed special districts, County Service Areas, Lake Arrowhead Dam, and other facilities. Such facilities include various roads, cemeteries, parks and recreation areas, zoos, open space, water and sanitation facilities and other facilities throughout San Bernardino County. In addition to fees for use of areas, facilities, and services, permittees shall pay a non-refundable fee for temporary use or closure of a road, the excavation of a trench, and the placement of meters and locks on hydrants used to provide water for filming purposes. The Film Office will coordinate construction and safety inspections, where necessary, by the Special Districts Department and by the Building and Safety Division of any construction by permittee acting under the jurisdiction of the Special Districts Department. The Film Office will obtain all necessary information from the permittee and supply it to the Special Districts Department. The Film Office will pay to the Special Districts Department all fees and other monies collected from the permittee on behalf of the Special Districts Department. The Special Districts Department will retain the hard copy of any permits it may issue until such time as the permits may be destroyed pursuant to law. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003; Am. Ord. 4160, passed - -2012)

Prior to the issuance of a permit, the permittee must pay the applicable fees and deposits set forth herein, and in other applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Such fees shall be collected by the Film Office and paid over to the appropriate County Department, except for the film permit processing fees, which shall be retained by the Film Office. (a) Filming Permit Processing Fees. Filming permit processing fees are set forth in § 16.0210A of the San Bernardino County Code. Such fees shall be paid to the Film Office which shall keep them for payment of its services. (b) County Fire Department Fees. In the event that any fire safety permits are required, they shall be obtained through the Film Office from the local fire department or County Fire Department, as appropriate. The County Fire Department will distribute information to, and coordinate actions with, local fire departments, as appropriate. At the discretion of the fire department with jurisdiction over the area where the filming will be done, an event may require fire department personnel or equipment for public safety. These costs shall be paid prior to the event. The County Fire Department shall charge the fees for fire safety permits set forth in § 16.0211A(b) of the San Bernardino County Code, and shall charge for necessary fire department personnel or equipment pursuant to the Uniform Fire Code, as amended. Such fees may be paid to the Film Office, which will remit them to the appropriate fire agency. (c) Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department may negotiate directly, or through the Film Office, for use of Sheriff’s Equipment, facilities and services, and for reimbursement of the costs thereof. In the event that a Class I Explosive is to be utilized for any part of the permittee’s filming activity, an explosive permit must be obtained from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Fees charged by the Sheriff’s Department are set forth in § 16.0226 of the San Bernardino County Code. Unless otherwise directed by the Film Office, the fees shall be paid by the permittee to the Film Office prior to issuance of the permit. All fees shall be paid by the Film Office to the Sheriff’s Department. (d) Road Encroachment Permit, Trench Excavation, Flood Control Permits. If the filming activity will involve the temporary use or closure of a County road or highway, excavation of a trench, or use or disturbance of a flood control channel, a non-refundable permit must be obtained through the Film Office from the San Bernardino County Transportation and Flood Control Department. These permits must be obtained even if the use is otherwise exempt pursuant to § 41.2404. Fees for road use or closure, and fees for trench excavation are respectively set forth in § 16.0225(a) and (b) of the San Bernardino County Code. Fees concerning use, access and disturbance of flood control channels, and related matters, are set forth in § 16.0212 of the San Bernardino County Code. (e) Environmental Health Services. If, during the filming, the permittee operates a food concession, the permittee shall pay the fees set forth in § 16.0213B(b) of the San Bernardino Code, as amended. If a subcontractor of permittee, or an independent contractor, provides a food concession, such person, and not the permittee, shall be responsible for payment of the fees set forth in §§ 16.0213B(b)(5) and (6) of the San Bernardino County Code, as amended. (f) Airport Use Fees. The Film Office shall charge, collect, and remit to the Airports Department the fees set forth in § 16.0202 of the San Bernardino County Code. (g) Museum Fees. If the services or facilities of the County Museum are used by the permittee, the permittee shall pay the fees and charges set forth in § 16.0218 of the San Bernardino County Code, as amended, to the Film Office which shall remit them to the County Museum. (h) Regional Park Fees. If using the facilities or services of the Regional Parks, permittee shall pay the fees and charges set forth in § 16.0223 of the San Bernardino County Code, as amended, or such other fees and charges as may be charged by the Regional Parks Division of the Department of Public Works. The fees and charges shall be paid to the Film Office, which shall immediately remit them to the. (i) Special Districts Department. The Film Office shall charge, collect, and immediately remit to the Special Districts Department the fees set forth in § 16.0226A of the San Bernardino County Code, as amended, and such other fees and charges as may be charged by the Special Districts Department. The Film Office shall also collect any fees, including fees for coordinated permits, that the permittee may need for water and/or sanitation services within the jurisdiction of the Special Districts Department. Additional fees may be collected for meters and locks that may be necessary for the use of hydrants to provide water for uses other than that of the County Fire Department. (j) Other County Departments. If permittee uses County services, or property owned, leased, or managed by a County department other than those listed herein, permittee shall pay the Film Office such charges as are provided in the San Bernardino County Code, as amended, or that may be required by the department directly or through the Film Office. The Film Office shall collect such charges and forward them to the appropriate Department. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

All projected fees, reimbursements and costs must be paid to the Film Office prior to the issuance of a permit. Upon completion of the project for which the permit was issued, reimbursements and costs actually incurred shall be determined. Overpayments will be returned by the Film Office within 30 days from the conclusion of the activity. Underpayments will be billed to permittee by the Film Office and are due within 30 days of the day the billing is mailed. Should the underpayments not be timely paid, the affected County Department may pursue collection of the underpayment. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

The permittee agrees, as a condition of receiving a permit, to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County of San Bernardino, the San Bernardino County Flood Control District and all districts, County Service Areas, and other entities governed by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors along with their authorized officers, employees, agents and volunteers from any and all claims, actions, losses, damages, and/or liability arising out of the filming activity from any cause or source whatsoever, including, but not limited to, the acts, errors or omissions of any person, and for any costs or expenses incurred by any of the aforementioned entities and individuals on account of any claim therefor, except where prohibited by law. Permittee further agrees to be responsible for payment of any medical charges incurred at any County facility as a result of injury to any person arising out of the filming or still photography activity. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

(a) Types of Insurance. Without in any way affecting the indemnity provided herein, and in addition thereto, the permittee shall, at its sole expense, maintain at all times the following types of insurance with limits as shown: (1) Comprehensive General and Automobile Liability Insurance. This coverage to include contractual coverage and automobile coverage for owned, hired and non-owned vehicles. The policy shall have combined single limits for bodily injury and property damage of not less than $1,000,000.00. (2) Pyrotechnic Liability Insurance. In the event that a Class I Explosive permit is to be utilized for any part of the permittee’s filming activity, the permittee will be required to obtain specific pyrotechnic coverage at an amount to be determined by the County Risk Manager as suitable for the scope of the planned pyrotechnic/special effects explosion(s). The minimum requirement for any pyrotechnic coverage policy shall be combined single limits for bodily injury and property damage of not less than $2,000,000.00 per occurrence. (3) Aircraft Liability Insurance. (When applicable), with combined single limits of $10,000,000.00 for bodily injury (including passengers), death and property damage. (4) Workers’ Compensation. A program of Workers’ Compensation insurance or a State-approved Self-Insurance Program in an amount and form to meet all applicable requirements of the Labor Code of the State of California, including Employer’s Liability with $250,000.00 limits, covering all persons providing services on behalf of the permittee and all risks to such persons. Permittee shall also require all subcontractors to maintain such a program of Workers’ Compensation insurance for all persons providing services on behalf of the subcontractors. (b) Policy Provisions. (1) Additional Named Insured. All policies, except for Workers’ Compensation policies, shall contain additional endorsements naming the County and its officers, employees, agents and volunteers as additional named insured with respect to liabilities arising out of permittee’s filming activities. (2) Waiver of Subrogation Rights. Permittee shall require the carriers of the above required coverages to waive all rights of subrogation against the County, its officers, employees, agents, volunteers, contractors and subcontractors. (3) Policies Primary and Non-Contributory. All policies required above are to be primary and non-contributory with any insurance or self-insurance programs carried or administered by the County. (c) Proof of Coverage. Permittee shall, prior to issuance of the filming permit, furnish certificates of insurance to the Film Office evidencing the insurance coverage, including endorsements, above required, which certificates shall provide that such insurance shall not be terminated or expire, prior to expiration of the filming permit, without 30 days written notice to the Film Office, and permittee shall maintain such insurance throughout the period of the permit. (d) Insurance Review. The above insurance requirements are subject to periodic review by the County. The County’s Risk Manager is authorized, but not required, to reduce or waive any of the above insurance requirements whenever the Risk Manager determines that any of the above insurance is not available, is unreasonably priced, or is not needed to protect the interests of the County. In addition, if the Risk Manager determines that heretofore unreasonably priced or unavailable types of insurance coverage or coverage limits become reasonably priced or available, the Risk Manager is authorized, but not required, to change the above insurance requirements to require additional types of insurance coverage or higher coverage limits, provided that any such change is reasonable in light of past claims against the County, inflation, or any other item reasonably related to the County’s risk. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

The County of San Bernardino requests to be listed in the film credits. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)

Compliance with the provisions of this Chapter does not exempt a permittee from compliance with other requirements of this Code, with the laws of the State of California, and with the laws of the United States. (Ord. 3704, passed - -1997; Am. Ord. 3896, passed - -2003)