Sutter Creek Municipal Code Ch. 6.40 Filming Regulations

As used in this chapter:

"Charitable films" means commercials, motion pictures, television, video tapes or still photography produced by a nonprofit organization, which qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as a charitable organization. No person, directly or indirectly, shall receive a profit from the marketing and production of the film or from showing the films, tapes or photos.

"Motion picture, television, still photography" means and includes all activity attendant to staging or shooting commercial motion pictures, television shows or programs, videos and commercials.

"News media" means the filming or video taping for the purpose of television news broadcast by reporters, photographers or camera personnel.

(Ord. 283 §1, 1996)

A. Permit Required. No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence for the purpose of taking commercial motion pictures or television pictures of commercial still photography without first applying for and receiving a permit from the film commissioner designated by the city.

B. Exemptions.

1. News Media. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or affect reporter photographers or cameramen in the employ of a newspaper, news service or similar entity engage in the on the spot broadcasting of news events concerning those person, scenes or occurrences which are in the news and of general public interest, including sporting events;

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

3. Charitable Films. Projects which qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

4. If the crew does not exceed five persons and there is no extensive use of props, equipment, cast or other participants. The following guidelines apply to this exemption:

a. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic can not be altered. The company must work with the conditions that exist. Intermittent traffic control is not permitted under this exemption.

b. If the company is covering a parade, demonstration or other special event the exemption merely allows them to operate on the same basis as a citizen with a camera. The company must obtain all permission that may be required.

c. Camera tripods can be used if they do not interfere with pedestrian traffic and do not block doors, passage ways, etc.

d. This exemption does not allow the use of a cast in the normal sense of the word in the industry. A host(s), moderator(s), or performer(s) may interact with people. An additional person may be used and not be considered part of the five-person crew. The key element is that it must not interfere to normal street activities.

e. No special parking provisions can be included with this exemption.

f. Stunt work is not allowed under this exemption.

g. Special effects are not allowed under this exemption.

h. City property, including sidewalks and streets, can be used only with permission of the controlling authority. Park directors, for example, must agree to the activity.

i. Private property requires approval by the owner.

(Ord. 283 §2, 1996)

A. Change of Date. Upon request of the applicant, the issuing authority 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.

B. Rules. The designated Amador county film commissioner is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations, subject to approval by resolution of the council, governing the form, time and location of any filming activity set forth within the city. He/she shall also provided for the issuance of permits.

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.

C. Notification to Affected Business and Property Owners. Business and property owners shall be notified in writing and in person at least forty-eight hours in advance of any activity that would impact their property, business or person. If business and property owners cannot be contacted and/or notified in writing, in person (i.e., road closures—public notice, private property activity—written permission from the property owner). A public notice shall be posted no later than forty-eight hours in advance of any such activity.

(Ord. 283 §3, 1996)

A. Issuing Authority. The issuing authority shall be the Amador County Film Commissioner.

B. Applications. The following information shall be included in the application:

1. The applicants name, address and telephone number of place of business;

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

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

4. The specific location of each activity schedules;

5. The type of activity scheduled for that day and time;

6. The exact number of personnel to be involved;

7. Use of any animal of pyrotechnics; and

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

C. Reimbursement for Personnel. The production company shall reimburse the city for any personnel provided to the company (i.e., police, fire traffic control, medical personnel) for the purpose of assisting the production. Any cost shall be negotiated, and approved of, prior to shoot date.

(Ord. 283 §4, 1996)

A. Liability Insurance. Before a permit is issued, a certificate of insurance will be required in an amount no less that one million dollars naming the City of Sutter Creek as coinsured for protection against claims of third persons for personal injuries, wrongful deaths and property damage. The Amador County Film Commission, city officers and employees shall be named as additional insureds. The certificate shall not be subject to cancellation or modification until after thirty days written notice to the city. Prior to issuance of any permit a copy of the certificate of insurance shall be provided to the county risk manager. A copy of the certificate will remain on file.

B. Worker's Compensation Insurance. An applicant shall conform to all applicable federal and state requirements for worker's 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 and incorporated within the permit issued under this ordinance.

D. Faithful Performance Bond. To ensure cleanup and restoration of the site, and applicant may be required to post a refundable faithful performance bond (amount to be determined) at the time application is submitted. Upon completion of filming and a satisfactory inspection of the site by Amador County Film Commissioner, the bond may be returned to the applicant.

(Ord. 283 §5, 1996)

If applicant violates any provision or violates conditions of this chapter or a permit issued pursuant thereto, the city may cancel the permit. Violation of the terms and conditions of the film permit is considered a misdemeanor or an infraction.

(Ord. 283 §6, 1996; Ord. 294A §2, 2003)