Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Ch. 8 Film Permits

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate motion picture, television, digital media, and still photography activities within the City in a manner that protects public health, safety, and welfare; minimizes disruption to residents, businesses, and traffic; safeguards public and private property; ensures recovery of City costs; and promotes a film-friendly environment consistent with California Film Commission guidelines and best practices.

(§ 1, Ord. 1309-NS, eff. December 18, 1997, as amended by Part 1, Ord. 1748-NS, eff. May 15, 2026)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) “Breaking News media” shall mean motion or still photography for the purpose of spontaneous, unplanned television news broadcasts or reporting for print or digital media of matters of general public interest. Non-breaking news media (such as “magazine” format or delayed broadcasts/distribution or photography for editorial and/or opinion articles) likely requires a permit and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

(b) “Film Liaison” shall mean the City Manager’s designee authorized to administer, process, issue, condition, deny, and enforce film permits and collect applicable fees and deposits.

(c) “Governmental filming” shall mean any filming by, and for the use of a public entity, including City produced content/projects.

(d) “Motion or still photography” shall mean and include all activity attendant to staging, filming, videotaping, or photographing for commercial purposes in any medium, including film, tape, or digital format, including motion pictures, television programs, commercials, music videos, online or web-based content, industrial films, Charitable films, and Student films.

(e) “Student films” shall mean motion or still photography produced to satisfy a course or curriculum requirement at a recognized educational institution, provided proof of current enrollment is submitted and the production is not intended for commercial release.

(f) “Studio” shall mean a legally established commercial motion or still photography place of business where filming activities are regularly conducted indoors at a fixed location.

(§ 1, Ord. 1309-NS, eff. December 18, 1997, as amended by part 12, Ord. 1437-NS, eff. July 7, 2005, § 1, Ord. 1525-NS, eff. October 22, 2009, and part 1, Ord. 1748-NS, eff. May 15, 2026)

(a) Permit required. No person shall use any public or private property, public right-of-way, facility, or residence within the City for motion or still photography without first obtaining a film permit pursuant to this chapter.

(b) Permit on site. A copy of the issued permit shall be maintained at the filming location at all times and made available upon request by any City official or member of the public.

(c) Exemptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

(1) Breaking News media;

(2) Governmental filming;

(3) Family or personal video or photography solely for private, noncommercial use; and

(4) Filming conducted entirely within a permitted Studio.

(§ 1, Ord. 1309-NS, eff. December 18, 1997, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1525-NS, eff. October 22, 2009, and part 1, Ord. 1748-NS, eff. May 15, 2026)

(a) City Council authorizes City Manager to establish and maintain written administrative regulations and standards consistent with Thousand Oaks Municipal Code, Title 4, Chapter 8, governing the form, time, place, and manner of filming activities and permit issuance.

(b) Such rules and regulations shall be based upon the following criteria:

(1) The health and safety of all persons;

(2) Avoidance or mitigation of undue disruption to residents, businesses, and the public;

(3) Protection of public and private property; and

(4) Minimization of traffic congestion and parking impacts.

(Part 1, Ord. 1748-NS, eff. May 15, 2026)

(a) Application. Any person desiring a film permit shall submit an application on forms provided by the City, including any additional information required by administrative regulations.

(b) Required information. Applications shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Filming location and address;

(2) Inclusive dates and hours of filming;

(3) Description of proposed activities;

(4) Name and contact information of the responsible person who will be available during all filming activities;

(5) Number of personnel involved;

(6) Description of vehicles, equipment, parking, and staging;

(7) Identification of any activities that may cause public alarm, including animals, firearms, pyrotechnics, aircraft, or unmanned aircraft systems (drones);

(8) Required documentation and approvals from the applicable federal, state, or local agencies for drone or aerial activity, if drones will be used; and

(9) Documented approvals from any other regulatory agencies having jurisdiction which may have an interest in the production.

(c) Issuance authority. The Film Liaison shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny permits based on compliance with this chapter and applicable regulations.

(d) Appeals. A decision regarding permit issuance may be appealed in accordance with Section 1.4.01 of Chapter 4, Title 1 of this code.

(§ 1, Ord. 1309-NS, eff. December 18, 1997, as amended by § 4, Ord. 1525-NS, eff. October 22, 2009, and part 1, Ord. 1748-NS, eff. May 15, 2026)

(a) Permit fees. Applications shall be accompanied by permit fees established by resolution of the City Council to recover the City’s costs of processing, issuing, and monitoring film permits or as specified in the City’s Master Fee Schedule.

(b) Fee exemptions. Administrative permit fees may be waived for Student films provided that the Film Liaison approves the supporting documentation.

(c) Property use and personnel costs. Applicants shall pay City for the use of public property and for any City personnel or services required beyond the issuance of the permit itself, including police, fire, and/or traffic control.

(Part 1, Ord. 1748-NS, eff. May 15, 2026)

(a) Liability insurance. Prior to permit issuance, applicants shall provide a certificate of insurance naming the City and its officers, officials, and employees as additional insureds, with coverage to be determined by City’s Risk Management. Higher liability limits or separate coverage may be required for hazardous activities.

(b) Workers’ compensation. Applicants shall comply with all applicable federal and state workers’ compensation requirements.

(Part 1, Ord. 1748-NS, eff. May 15, 2026)

(a) Any person, firm, company or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this Code pursuant to Section 1-2.01 of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of this Code.

(b) City shall have the authority to issue a written stop notice if there is any violation of the permit conditions. Filming and all other associated activities shall cease until the violation has been corrected and the stop notice is released, in writing, by City.

(c) Any person, firm, company or corporation who is found liable for violating the provision of this chapter, may be prohibited from obtaining a film permit for a period of one (1) year from the date of the violation.

(§ 1, Ord. 1309-NS, eff. December 18, 1997, as amended and renumbered by part 1, Ord. 1748-NS, eff. May 15, 2026)