ORDINANCE NO. 634 (AS AMENDED THRU 634.2) AN

ORDINANCE NO. 634

(AS AMENDED THRU 634.2)

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE REGULATING COMMERCIAL

FILMING WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY, UPON COUNTY

OWNED PROPERTY AND REQUIRING PERMITS THEREFOR

Section 1. PURPOSE. It is the policy of Riverside County to encourage the

production of motion pictures, television, commercials, television episodes, student films, electronic

media and commercial still photography within its boundaries. This ordinance provides the basis for the

rules and regulations governing the issuance of permits for filming, taping or related activity within the

unincorporated area of the County and on County property. This ordinance is intended to ensure that

filming/taping is done consistent with public health and safety and the protection of property.

Section 2. DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise specifically provided or required by the

context, certain terms or expressions used herein have meanings as set forth below:

A. News Media shall mean regularly scheduled news programs (not including magazine or

documentary programs) and special news programs which are not pre-planned and are

broadcast within twenty-four (24) hours after the event.

B. Strike and preparation days shall mean activities required to make superficial alterations as

specified in the script prior to movie on-location filming and following filming, to restore such

location to its original condition. Such alterations may include placement of temporary

architectural features, alterations in landscaping, changes in furniture or other decorative

elements, placement of temporary lighting equipment and similar activities. "Strike and

preparation days" shall not include time periods when cameras and actors are present

and/or filming is occurring.

C. Issuing Authority shall mean the County Executive Officer (CEO) and/or his or her

designee. The CEO is designated by this Board of Supervisors as its authorized

representative to administer the provisions of this Ordinance.

D. Studio shall mean a fixed place of business where filming or photography activities are

regularly conducted upon the premises.

E. Private Property shall mean any property not owned by the County, and on which filming

would not interfere with public right of way, access or safety.

Section 3. PERMIT REQUIREMENT.

A. No person shall use any public or private property, facility or residence within the

unincorporated area of Riverside County for the purpose of taking commercial motion

pictures, television pictures, commercials, electronic media or commercial still photography

without first applying for and receiving a permit from the Issuing Authority. No fee shall be

charged for such a permit.

B. Any requirement for a business license is hereby waived due to the temporary nature of the

film activities. The County shall condition the issuance of a permit on such terms and

conditions regarding the time, place and manner of utilizing county roads or other property

which are necessary and appropriate under the circumstances.

C. Upon reasonable notice to the County by applicant in advance of any filming activity, the

Issuing Authority is authorized to change the date for which the permit has been issued

without requiring a new application or permit.

Section 4. EXEMPTIONS. The provisions of this Ordinance shall not apply to or

affect:

A. News Media: reporters, photographers or camerapersons in the employ of a newspaper,

news service, or similar entity engaged in on-the-spot print media, publishing or

broadcasting of news events concerning those persons, scenes or occurrence which are in

the news and of general public interest.

B. Personal/Family Video: the recording of visual images (motion or still photography) solely

for private personal use, and not for commercial use.

C. Studio Filming: Filming activities (motion or still photography) conducted at a Studio.

D. Filming activities conducted for use in a criminal investigation or criminal court proceeding.

E. Filming activities conducted by or on behalf of the County of Riverside.

Section 5. USE OF FACILITIES. The Issuing Authority may approve temporary

free usage of property owned by or held under the control of the County, by issuance of a filming permit,

provided:

A. Such issuance will not result in a frequency of usage likely to create incompatibility

between such temporary use and the surrounding area.

B. Such issuance does not interfere with performance of the intended governmental

function of the site in question.

C. Movie on-location filming does not exceed ten (10) consecutive days per production at any

one location. Computation of such time period shall not include strike and preparation time.

Extensions may be granted by the CEO at his/her discretion.

D. County may provide, at its discretion, and as may be available, vacant office and/or

parking lot space for use by an applicant.

E. Applicant shall be charged, for purposes of cost recovery only, all actual and reasonable

costs incurred by County, the amount of which shall be determined by the CEO or his/her

designee, for County personnel or equipment provided to or for the applicant for the

purpose of assisting or providing security, protection, traffic control, public safety or other

County services to or for the applicant or members of the general public for activities under

the permit.

Section 6. LIABILITY PROVISIONS. As a condition of approval to issuance of a

permit, a certificate of insurance will be required to include, but not limited to $1,000,000 naming County

as a co-insured for protection against claims of third party personal injuries, wrongful deaths and

property damage. Where aircraft is used in any production, either fixed wing or rotary, the limit shall be

no less than $5,000,000 per occurrence. County officers, agents and employees shall be named as

additional insureds and a certificate of insurance shall not be subject to cancellation or modification

without thirty (30) days written notice to County. A copy of the certificate shall remain on file with the

County.

A. An applicant shall conform to all applicable federal and state requirements for Workers'

Compensation Insurance as to all persons operating under a permit.

B. To ensure cleanup and restoration of the site, an applicant may be required to post a

security deposit as a condition to approval of an application.

Section 7. DUTIES OF THE ISSUING AUTHORITY. The County Executive

Officer shall designate a County Department or Agency (“Designated Department”) to coordinate with

county departments and special districts the approval and issuance of all facility usage permits required

to film on county or district property at no cost. The Designated

Department shall:

Coordinate with county departments and special districts for the approval and issuance

of all regulatory permits for on-location filming;

A. Coordinate the approval with the necessary county departments and districts as required by

county or special district policy;

B. Create a one stop permit processing center, design, and operate a website that offers

online permitting and promote the County to market the local region for film production and

may conduct such in cooperation with the Inland Empire Film Commission or its

successors;

C. Appoint a key liaison and back-up liaison for coordinating permits. The liaison will keep

him/herself aware of any and all film production within the County and remain sensitive to

local citizens’ concerns. The liaison will have the authority to make decisions as the County

representative prior to and during any filming;

D. Through its liaison, provide service and support to each production company applicant from

the initial contact to the close of production, including problem solving on film-related

matters, including coordination between film companies, local residents, businesses and the

County;

E. Through its liaison, investigate all complaints and assist in the resolution of minor disputes

between the film industry and county agencies, cities, and emergency service providers

concerning filming in Riverside County;

F. Develop and administer programs to promote the development of the filming industry in

Riverside County;

G. Cooperate with other governmental agencies seeking to promote the development of the

film industry in Riverside County;

H. Periodically review and recommend, if necessary, changes in fees and use and service

charges to fully recover all county costs involved in the operations of this function;

I. Consult with and advise other county departments, districts and the Board in all matters

relating to filming, including, but not limited to, recommended changes and improvements in

legislation, tax credits, fee waivers, policies, procedures and methods;

J. Coordinate with county agencies the periodic review of the county's filming permit

processing system and make recommendations to the Board regarding ways to increase

the system's efficiency and effectiveness;

K. Review, approve and issue permits for on-location filming on private property in the County.

Section 8. RULES, REGULATIONS AND FEES. Under the guidelines of

Government Code Section 14999.30 et seq., (Uniform Film Permit Act) the Issuing Authority is

authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations, subject to approval by Resolution of the

Board of Supervisors. The Permit shall set forth the County’s rules and regulations regarding public

property use, hours of permitted filming activity, and requirements for security deposits, if any, and other

County conditions and restrictions. Transient occupancy taxes are hereby waived for applicants for forty-

eight (48) months from the date of the adoption of this Ordinance in the unincorporated areas of the

county in the interest of job creation.

Section 9. VIOLATIONS OF PERMIT. If an applicant violates any provision of this

ordinance or a permit issued pursuant thereto, the County may provide the applicant with verbal or

written notice of such violation. If the applicant fails to correct the violation the County may revoke the

permit and all activity must cease. The liaison will provide notice and an opportunity to be heard prior to

cancellation of any permit.

Section 10. SEVERABILITY. If any provision or clause of this ordinance or the

application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional or to be otherwise invalid

by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other ordinance provisions or

clauses or applications thereof which can be implemented without the invalid provisions or clause or

application and to this end, the provisions and clauses of the ordinance are declared to be severable.

Section 11. SECTION HEADINGS. The section headings herein are for

convenience only and shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope,

meaning or intent of the provisions or language of this ordinance.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after.

Adopted: 634 Item 3.3 of 12/16/1986 (Eff: 01/15/1987)

634.1 Item 3.20 of 09/05/1989 (Eff: 10/05/1989)

634.2 Item 3-3 of 09/24/2013 (Eff: 10/24/2013)