Weed Municipal Code Ch. 5.06 Motion Picture Production, Television Productions and Commercial Still…

The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate the issuance of permits for commercial film production activities, when such activities shall make special utilization of city property or personnel, or shall require special controls of city streets and sidewalks.

(Ord. 252-87 §1(part), 1987).

For purposes of this chapter, the term "commercial film production activities" shall mean all activities attendant to staging or shooting commercial motion pictures, videotapes, television shows or programs, or still photography.

(Ord. 252-87 §1(part), 1987).

Without first obtaining a permit issued pursuant to this chapter, no person shall do any of the following:

A. Conduct commercial film production activities which will utilize city property in such a manner as to unreasonably interfere with the normal use thereof by the general public or by the city, or which shall otherwise require special utilization of city personnel; or

B. Conduct commercial film production activities which require special vehicular controls on city streets or which shall unduly obstruct pedestrian movement on public sidewalks.

(Ord. 252-87 §1 (part), 1987).

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to reporters, photographers or camerapersons in the employ of a newspaper, news service, television or radio broadcasting station, or similar entity engaged in the broadcasting of news events.

(Ord. 252-87 §1 (part), 1987).

The provisions of this chapter are intended to augment and be in addition to any other ordinance of the city requiring additional permits or licenses or other fees.

(Ord. 282-87 §1(part), 1987).

Any person desiring a permit under the provisions of this chapter shall make application on a form prescribed and provided by the city administrator. Such application shall be submitted at least five days prior to the date on which such person desires to conduct an activity for which a permit is required. The city administrator may waive the requirement that applications be filed five days in advance when in his opinion neither the city nor the general public will be inconvenienced or harmed by his doing so. No fee shall be required for any permit.

(Ord. 252-87 §1 (part), 1987).

The city administrator shall issue a permit as provided for in this chapter when, from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may be otherwise obtained, he finds that:

A. The conduct of such activity will not unduly interfere with traffic or pedestrian movement or endanger public safety;

B. The conduct of such activity will not unduly interfere with normal governmental or city operations, threaten to result in damage or detriment to public property, or result in the city incurring costs or expenditures in either money or personnel not to be reimbursed;

C. The conduct of such activity will not constitute a safety hazard and all proper safety precautions will be taken;

D. The conduct of such activity will not require the diversion of so great a number of police officers of the city to properly police the area of such activity as to interfere with normal police protection of other areas of the city.

The decision of the city administrator to issue, conditionally issue or not issue a permit shall be final.

(Ord. 252-87 §1(part), 1987).

If deemed necessary by the city administrator, additional police, fire and other city services shall be provided for the purpose of protecting, assisting and regulating the proposed activity. The cost of providing such additional services shall be paid to the city by the applicant. A deposit for such services may be required by the city administrator.

(Ord. 252-87 §1(part), 1987).

A. Prior to issuance of any permit, the city administrator shall require that the applicant shall have obtained a comprehensive general liability insurance policy or policies in a form as approved by the city attorney, issued by an insurance company or companies authorized to do business in the state of California, with coverage that includes the permitted activities and the location in which the filming or taping activities shall occur and any other area used by the applicant. The city, its officers and employees, shall be named as additional insureds on said policy or policies. The policy limits of said insurance policy or policies shall not be less than one million dollars per occurrence combined single limit for both bodily injury and property damage. Said policy or policies shall also contain a provision that no termination, cancellation or change of coverage of insured or additional insured shall be effective until after ten days' notice thereof has been given in writing to the city clerk of the city.

B. Each person to whom a permit is issued hereunder shall agree to indemnify and hold harmless the city, its officers, agents and employees, from and against all damages to property or injuries to or death of any person or persons, including officers, agents and employees of the city, and shall defend, indemnify and save harmless the city, its officers, agents and employees, from any and all claims, demands, suits, actions or proceedings of any kind of nature, including, but not by way of limitation, workers' compensation claims of or by anyone whomsoever, in any way resulting from any act or omission of such person or such persons' officers, agents or employees.

C. Worker's Compensation Insurance. The applicant shall provide proof of coverage of workmen's compensation insurance for all employees.

(Ord. 252-87 §1(part), 1987).

The applicant shall comply with any conditions or restrictions the city administrator may impose as a condition to issuing a permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter when such conditions or restrictions relate to the provisions of Section 5.06.060.

(Ord. 252-87 §1(part), 1987).

Applicant shall conduct operations in an orderly fashion with continuous attention to the storage of equipment not in use and the cleanup of trash and debris. The applicant shall be responsible for restoring any area damaged or disrupted before leaving the site. If the site is not repaired or restored to the city's satisfaction, the cost of such repair or restoration shall be reimbursed to the city by the applicant or paid from any bond deposited by the applicant. The city administrator may require the applicant to post a refundable performance bond at the time the permit is issued for any reasonable anticipated possible cleanup or restoration costs.

(Ord. 252-87 §1(part), 1987).

Any person who violates any provision of Sections 5.06.010 through 5.06.110, inclusive, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Such violation shall be punishable in the manner set forth in Section 1.20.030 of this code.

(Ord. 252-87 §1(part), 1987).