San Luis Obispo County Municipal Code Ch. 2.11 Department of Central Services

The office of central services is hereby established. The office shall be administrated by the chief executive officer or designee, who shall perform the duties required by Section 2.11.030. The chief executive officer or designee, shall also act as the purchasing agent pursuant to Chapter 2.36 of this county code.

(Ord. 3140 § 1, 2008: Ord. 2031 § 2 (part), 1980)

(Ord. No. 3267, § 1, 10-7-14; Ord. No. 3302, § 2, 10-20-15; Ord. No. 3586, § I, 3-10-26)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3586, § II, adopted March 10, 2026, repealed § 2.11.020. Former § 2.11.020 pertained to qualifications for director of central services and derived from Ord. 2031 § 2 (part), adopted 1980; Ord. 3140 § 2, adopted 2008; Ord. No. 3267, § 2, adopted October 7, 2014; Ord. No. 3302, § 3, adopted October 20, 2015.

The chief executive officer or designee, shall generally advise, assist, and be responsible for the proper and efficient management of the county central services office and shall:

(1) Plan, organize, and direct the activities of the central services office including, but not limited to, fleet services, purchasing and property management;

(2) Represent the county before public and private groups, professional associations and public agencies in matters related to the central services office;

(3) Oversee the preparation and administration of the central services office budget;

(4) Act as the purchasing agent pursuant to Chapter 2.36 of this County Code;

(5) Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff and oversee all personnel matters, including hiring, reassignments, discipline and separation of employees as appropriate.

(Ord. 3140 § 3, 2008: Ord. 2031 § 2 (part), 1980)

(Ord. No. 3267, § 3, 10-7-14; Ord. No. 3302, § 4, 10-20-15; Ord. No. 3586, § III, 3-10-26)

It is the policy of the County of San Luis Obispo to encourage commercial motion picture production, television production and still photography within its boundaries. The ordinance codified in this chapter provides the basis for the regulations governing the issuance of permits for filming, video taping, still photography and related activities on property owned, operated or administered by the County of San Luis Obispo or the special districts under the jurisdiction of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. The ordinance codified in this chapter is intended to ensure that filming, video taping and still photography is done in a manner consistent with protecting the public health and safety and public property.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

"Charitable films" includes publicity announcements, motion pictures, television programs, video tapes or still photography produced by a nonprofit organization, which qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 23701 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code as a charitable organization. If such a nonprofit organization is involved in charitable film making, video taping or still photography, no person, directly or indirectly, may receive a profit from the marketing, production or showing of the films, video tapes or photographs.

"Film permit rider" means a minor addition, change or deletion to the film permit, as determined by the issuing agency.

"Issuing agency" shall be the director of central services, or his designated representative.

"Motion picture production, television production and still photography" includes all activity attendant to staffing or shooting commercial motion pictures, television programs, television commercials and still photography.

"News media" includes regularly scheduled and special news programs, excluding commercials, magazine or documentary programs. Special news programs are those which are not preplanned and which are broadcast within twenty-four hours after the event.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 3302, § 5, 10-20-15)

Except as provided in Section 2.11.053, a person shall not use any county property in the County of San Luis Obispo or property or facilities belonging to the county San Luis Obispo or the special districts under the jurisdiction of the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors for the purpose of motion picture production, television production or still photography without first applying for and receiving a film permit from the issuing agency. This prohibition shall not apply to use of public property which is indistinguishable from allowed general public use which does not interfere with public or county use of the property.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

(a) Charitable films produced by public entities or nonprofit organizations, as defined in Section 2.11.051(a) of this chapter, and news media, as defined in Section 2.11.051(e) of this chapter, are exempt from any permit fees established pursuant to this chapter.

(b) Any applicant who submits a letter written on school letterhead by a school administrator or instructor stating that the applicant is currently enrolled in a recognized United States educational institution and that the film, video tape or photograph is not for commercial release is exempt from any permit fees established pursuant to this chapter.

(c) The ordinance codified in this chapter does not apply to the filming or video taping of motion pictures or the taking of still photographs solely for private use.

(d) The ordinance codified in this chapter does not apply to reporters, photographers, cameramen or other persons engaged in on-the-spot broadcasting of news events for the news media.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

(a) The issuing agency is authorized and directed to promulgate policies, procedures and regulations governing issuance of film permits and film permit riders. The policies, procedures and regulations shall include provisions for personnel and property usage charges. Fees are to be authorized and approved by the board of supervisors. The director may require that the film company include an appropriate credit to the county acknowledging the assistance provided in making the film pursuant to the permit.

(b) To ensure cleanup and restoration of a site, the issuing agency may require an applicant to post cash or a certificate of deposit, amount to be determined by director at the time the application is submitted. On completion of all production activities and inspection of the site by the issuing, agency, the cash or certificate of deposit may be returned minus any expenses incurred by the issuing agency for site clean-up or restoration.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

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

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the production company;

(2) Name, address, and telephone number of person in charge of filming on location;

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

(4) 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 vehicles, watercraft or aircraft;

(5) 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;

(6) Evidence of adequate insurance coverage as required by Section 2.11.056;

(7) The number of cast/crew to be present;

(8) Such other information as the director may require.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

The permittee shall defend, indemnify and save harmless the county, its officers, agents and employees from any and all claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, or liability occasioned by motion picture production, television production and still photography productions arising out of issuance of the permit, including but not limited to inverse condemnation, equitable relief, or any wrongful act or any negligent act or omission to act on the part of the permittee, or of agents, employees, or independent contractors directly responsible to the permittee; providing further that the foregoing shall apply to any wrongful acts, or any actively or passively negligent acts or omissions to act, committed jointly or concurrently by the permittee, the permittee's agents, employees, or independent contractors.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

(a) Auto and Comprehensive General Liability Insurance. Permittee shall maintain in full force and effect for the duration of the permit, automobile insurance and comprehensive general liability insurance with an insurance carrier satisfactory to the county, which insurance shall include protection against claims arising from personal injury, including death resulting therefrom, and damage to property resulting from any actual occurrence arising out of the issuance of the permit. The amounts of insurance shall not be less than the following:

Single limit coverage applying to bodily and personal injury, including death resulting therefrom, and property damage or a combination thereof in an amount to be established by issuing agency.

The following endorsements must be attached to the policy or policies:

(1) If the insurance policy covers on an "accident" basis, it must be changed to "occurrence."

(2) The policy must cover personal injury as well as bodily injury.

(3) Broad form property damage liability must be afforded.

(4) The County of San Luis Obispo, its officers, employees, and agents, shall be named insured under the policy and the policy shall stipulate that the insurance will operate as primary insurance and that no other insurance effected by the county will be called upon to contribute to a loss hereunder.

(5) Contractual liability either on a blanket basis or by identifying the permit within a contractual liability endorsement.

(6) "Cross-liability" such that each insured is covered as if separate policies had been issued to each insured.

(b) Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability Insurance. In accordance with the provisions of Section 3700 of the Labor Code of the State of California, permittee is required to be insured against liability for workers' compensation or to undertake self-insurance. Permittee agrees to comply with such provisions before commencing the motion picture, television or still photography production on county property.

(c) The following requirements apply to all insurance to be provided by permittee:

(1) Permittee shall provide certificates of insurance to the county prior to commencement of the production allowed by the permit. Certificates of insurance are necessary before a permit will be issued.

(2) Certificates and policies shall state that the policies shall not be cancelled or reduced in coverage or changed in any other material aspect without thirty days prior written notice to county.

(3) Approval of the insurance by county shall not relieve or decrease the extent to which the permittee may be held responsible for payment of damages resulting from motion picture, television, or still photography production on county property allowed by the permit.

(4) If permittee fails or refuses to procure or maintain the insurance required by this paragraph, or fails or refuses to furnish county with required proof that insurance has been procured and is in force and paid for, county shall have the right, at county's election, to forthwith revoke the permit.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

(a) The San Luis Obispo County Film Commission is designated as the San Luis Obispo County film industry liaison and shall:

(1) Provide information and referral assistance, resource material and applications to individuals and/or organizations desiring to conduct motion picture, television or photography activities in the County of San Luis Obispo;

(2) Develop and administer programs to promote the development of the film industry in the County of San Luis Obispo;

(3) Cooperate and coordinate with public and private sector representatives seeking to promote the development of the film industry in the County of San Luis Obispo;

(4) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of supervisors.

(b) The issuing agency shall:

(1) Coordinate with county departments, agencies and districts for the approval and issuance of facility usage permits required to film, video tape or photograph on their respective county or district property;

(2) Collect the appropriate charges and fees;

(3) With the assistance of the appropriate county departments, agencies and districts, monitor the activities or permittees to assure compliance with permit requirements;

(4) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of supervisors.

(Ord. 2431 § 1 (part), 1989)

(a) The issuing agency within its sound discretion, may deny granting a film permit or a film permit rider for any reasonable cause if it is contrary to the public health, safety or welfare, or if the issuing agency determines that the requested activities may unreasonably interfere with the normal operation or use of the property.

(b) The issuing agency may cancel, revoke or suspend a permit if the permittee violates any provision of the ordinance codified in this chapter or regulation promulgated by the director or a permit issued pursuant to the ordinance codified in this chapter.

Whenever reference is made to "director of general services" or "director of general services agency" in county agreements, permits, policies, ordinances, and resolutions in existence prior to the effective date of this section, "director of general services" or "director of general services agency" shall mean the same as "director of central services."

For county building, facilities, maintenance and/or architectural projects previously under the direction and responsibility of the general services agency or department of general services but transferred to the department of public works, "director of general services" or "director of general services agency" in county agreements, permits, policies, ordinances and resolutions in existence prior to the date of this section shall mean the same as "director of public works."

(Ord. No. 3302, § 6, 10-20-15)