Chapter 12.18
USE OF PUBLIC STREETS, PARKS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY FOR FILM MAKING
Sections:
12.18.010 Legislative findings.
12.18.040 Criteria for issuance of permit – Conditions.
12.18.050 Notice to suspend film making.
12.18.010 Legislative findings.
The making of films for motion pictures and television, and the production of commercials, in the city of Snoqualmie is generally beneficial to the community, and should be encouraged, subject to reasonable regulations to protect the public health, safety and welfare, as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 688 § 1, 1992).
12.18.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings indicated.
A. “Film making” means recording, by any means, including film or videotape, visual images, with or without sound, for the purpose of movies or television, and includes the making of still photographs for promotion of a movie or television film or for commercials for any medium.
B. “Person” means any person, partnership, corporation or other form of business organization.
C. “Public street” includes the entire public right-of-way, including parking and sidewalk area. (Ord. 688 § 1, 1992).
12.18.030 Permit required.
A. No person shall use, occupy, or obstruct the free use by other persons of any public street, park or other public property for the purpose of film making without first having obtained a permit as provided herein, said permit to be known as a film making permit. The film making permit shall be maintained on location and be available at all times for inspection by city officials.
B. The application for a film making permit shall be made upon such form as the city clerk, who is hereby designated as the administrator of the provisions of this chapter, may designate. The permit application, when approved by the city clerk, together with any written statement of conditions attached thereto, shall constitute the permit.
C. The fee for such permit shall be $100.00 for one day, $250.00 for two to six days, $500.00 for one week to three weeks, and $800.00 for longer than three weeks, up to a maximum of five weeks. Filming in excess of five weeks shall require a new permit to be issued for each additional five-week period or portion thereof. The fee does not include charges for time required on location by police, fire or public works personnel or other city employees, which shall be billed separately. A deposit of $1,000 shall be required, in addition to the fee for the permit, to secure payment of any sums due the city for such additional charges, any unearned portion of which shall be refunded to the applicant at the conclusion of filming, upon compliance with all conditions of the permit. (Ord. 1099 § 1, 2012; Ord. 688 § 1, 1992).
12.18.040 Criteria for issuance of permit – Conditions.
A. Before issuing a film making permit, the city clerk shall consult appropriate department directors, or their respective designees, and shall be satisfied that the public health, safety and welfare will not be adversely affected to a material degree by issuing the permit, and shall consider the following:
1. The safety and convenience of all persons traveling upon a public street or using a public park or other public property, including the required closure of any public street, park or other public property, the availability of alternate routes and the effect on essential public services;
2. Fire safety, including the use of any explosives or combustible materials;
3. Noise, light and glare impacts to the area in which the film making is to occur; and
4. Any other matter affecting the public health, safety or welfare of persons or property.
B. The chief of police may condition the issuance of a film making permit upon such conditions as he deems reasonably necessary to mitigate impacts identified to the public health, safety and welfare, including, without limitation, the following:
1. Limitation of the continuous period of time for which a public street, park or other public place may be closed;
2. Limitation on the hours of filming;
3. Requirements for notification to the public of film making activities, including posting for all activities, and personally delivered notices to persons particularly impacted by a proposed film making activity;
4. Compliance with other city codes or regulations, including obtaining any other permits or approvals under the International Fire Code;
5. Requirements for barricading or cordoning of a public street, park or other public property; and
6. Security or traffic control requirements, including required police or fire personnel and compensation therefor. (Ord. 1099 § 2, 2012; Ord. 688 § 1, 1992).
12.18.050 Notice to suspend film making.
In the event city officials determine that any person is engaged in film making without a required film making permit, or is in violation of any permit required by the IBC, or is in violation of any condition of an approved film making permit which has a material adverse impact upon the public health, safety or welfare, the city shall serve upon the person a notice to suspend film making. The notice shall remain in full force and effect until the required permit has been obtained, or the violation cured. (Ord. 1099 § 3, 2012; Ord. 688 § 1, 1992).
12.18.060 Violation.
A. Any person engaged in film making without a required film making permit or without a permit required under the Uniform Fire Code, or willfully violating any condition of an approved film making permit, or failing to suspend film making after being served a notice to suspend film making, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
B. Any person violating the conditions of an approved film making permit under circumstances not amounting to violation of subsection A of this section shall be deemed to have committed a civil infraction, subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $100.00. Each day that such violation continues after notice to correct the violation has been given by the chief of police shall constitute a separate civil infraction, with a separate civil penalty imposed therefor. (Ord. 688 § 1, 1992).