COVID-19: REOPENING PROTOCOL FOR MUSIC, TELEVISION AND FILM PRODUCTION (APPENDIX J)

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As the ‘Media Capital of the World’ it has been said that almost all American video production has been touched by a Burbank business in one form or another.  As one of Burbank’s signature industries, television and motion picture production is an essential source of economic activity, tax revenue, jobs and tourism.

To remain at the forefront of current best practices and policies, the City Council approved Ordinance 19-3,920 which amended the Burbank Municipal Code relative to film permits and short term used of City property.  The Ordinance was effective November 1, 2019.

Ordinance 19-3,920 modified the City’s film permit ordinance to be consistent with the California Film Commission’s model film ordinance.  It retained the City’s existing authority to require film permits for all filming within the City of Burbank, with limited exceptions for certain types of specified filming activities.

The Ordinance further retains the existing process for establishing Rules and Regulations necessary for implementation of the film permit ordinance from time to time, but clarifies and streamlines the process for updating the Rules and Regulations and requires that the current version of the Rules and Regulations shall always be on file with the City Clerk and posted on the City’s website for ease of reference.

Finally, the Ordinance establishes a uniform process for approving license and entry agreements for short-term, temporary use of City-owned property (such as filming on City-owned property), through the use of an agreement.  The license and entry agreement will include, at a minimum, indemnification provisions, insurance requirements, and conditions specific to the use of the applicable City-owned property.

With these changes, Burbank is in alignment with other local and state jurisdictions and consistent in our practice within our own organization.

To initiate the permit procedure, a film company must:

1. Apply on-line at www.filmburbankca.com.
2. Complete the film permit application form 72 business hours prior to the proposed filming date.  Please note, complex requests will require additional business days for permit approval.
3. If necessary, any affected City Department (Public Works, City Hall, etc.) must be contacted by a film company representative for departmental approval.
4. If the internet is not accessible, please call 818-238-3105 for alternative methods to submit a film permit application.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

In an effort to balance the needs of a production company with the concerns of local government and community, the City of Burbank has both a Film Ordinance and Rules and Regulations with the intent of both increasing filming in our community and streamlining practices. To read the current Film Ordinance Rules and Regulations, CLICK HERE.

The Film Permit Ordinance (Burbank Municipal Code (“BMC”) §§ 3-4-2001 et seq.) authorizes the Chief of Police to adopt rules and regulations governing the time, place, and manner of all filming activities within the City, and film applicants/permittees are required to comply with the Rules and Regulations.  Failure to comply with the Rules and Regulations is a violation of the Film Permit Ordinance. 

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Insurance for filming is required. The applicant/permittee must maintain in force, during the full term of the film permit insurance in the following amounts and coverages:

a.    Commercial General Liability Insurance with limits not less than $2,000,000 each occurrence Combined Single Limit for Bodily Injury and Property Damage, including coverages for Contractual Liability, Personal Injury, Independent Contractors, Broadform Property Damage, and Products Liability and Completed Operations. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this project/location or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit;

b.  Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance with limits not less than $1,000,000 each occurrence Combined Single Limit for Bodily Injury and Property Damage, including coverages for owned, non-owned and hired automobiles, as applicable; and

c.  Workers' Compensation Insurance in statutory amounts with Employer's Liability Coverage with limits of not less than $1,000,000 each accident.

d.  Commercial General Liability and Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance policies must provide the following: (See Attachment E, Insurance example)

 i.  Name as Additional Insured the City of Burbank, its Officers, Agents, Employees, and Volunteers on a form acceptable to City.

 ii. That such policies are primary insurance to any other insurance available to the Additional Insureds, with respect to any claims arising out of the film permit, and that insurance applies separately to each insured against whom claim is made or suit is brought.

The certificate of insurance MUST be reviewed and approved by the City Attorney's Office or Film Permit Office before the permit can be issued.

Click Here for the Film Permit Insurance Form

OFF DUTY PERSONNEL

If any filming is done or equipment is parked on a street or on public property, at least one Law Enforcement Officer must be present at the film location.  

When filming on private or public property, a Fire Safety Officer is usually required. The permit will be reviewed by the Burbank Fire Department and a determination will be made based on film activity, location, and cast/crew size.  The company’s film coordinator may contact the Burbank Fire Department at 818-238-3386 if there are any questions about Fire Safety Officer assignment.

When animals are present at the filming location, the Burbank Animal Shelter will be notified by the company’s film coordinator at (818) 238-3340.

Burbank Bob Hope Airport supplies its own officers on Airport property.  Any interior shots or special effects still require a Burbank Fire Department Safety Officer.  Inquiries regarding commercial film, video, advertising or other commercial production on the Airport premises should be directed to:

Airport Filming Contacts

Madeleine Zavala, Business & Property Manager at (818) 729 2236 or mzavala@bur.org

Derrick Cheng, Property Specialist, Business & Property at (818) 729-2232 or dcheng@bur.org. 

Additional information can be found at http://hollywoodburbankairport.com/?s=filming

The number of officers assigned is always determined by film activity, location, cast/crew size, and at the final discretion of the Traffic Bureau Commander.

OPERATIONS POLICIES

Generally film permits are issued from the hours of 7 a.m. -10 p.m. in residential areas. Filming within a 300-foot radius of any residential use is permitted between 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. If after-hours filming is requested in these areas, permission may be granted with mitigating conditions after applicants complete the film survey.

Applicants may request to reserve parking in public areas for filming activities.  Requests for lane and/or street closures will be directed to the Public Works Director. If approved by the Public Works Director, the Public Works Department will provide the applicant with temporary “No Parking” signs, and such signs must be posted in locations determined by the Public Works Director.  Film equipment will not be allowed to park overnight in a residential area.

Traffic lane and street closures are generally not permitted other than for three minute intermittent traffic control.  The primary consideration in determining the closure of the traffic lane shall always be of the safe and efficient movement of vehicular traffic. However, the Traffic Bureau Commander and a City Traffic Engineer may authorize closing a lane of traffic to facilitate production and enhance safety.

The wetting of surface streets by production companies may only be permitted if approved by Burbank Water and Power. In all cases where permission to wet the street has been granted, the production company shall be responsible for providing the appropriate required legal control and warning devices. Discharges from filming activities will not be allowed to enter the local storm drain system.

Stunts involving vehicle crashes or chases may be approved after consultation with the Traffic Bureau Commander and consideration of all safety issues.  At no time will vehicle speeds exceed the posted or legal speed limit for the area in which the stunt is to be performed.

FEE SCHEDULES

See attached Fee Resolution schedule. A company filming for the first time in the City of Burbank shall pay estimated fees in advance.  Differences will be adjusted upon completion of filming..

PAY SCHEDULES

Burbank Police Department policy establishes a minimum of four (4) hour pay for any officers assigned to extra-duty job. The Burbank Film Office shall bill studios for Police Officer services and City property rental.  The exception is a company filming for the first time in Burbank, which shall pay estimated personnel fees in advance.  The Fire Department shall bill for Fire Safety Officer services and rental fees for Fire Department.

Any company which is delinquent in payment shall not be allowed to film in the City of Burbank until payment is received.

RENTAL OF CITY PROPERTY

In the event the location representative requests to film on City property, a license and entry agreement must be executed. See Rules and Regulations Sections 11 through 13.

RENTAL OF FIRE EQUIPMENT

When a fire apparatus is to be used in a fire scene, or when it is intended to depict normal fire department operations, minimum manpower requirements shall be as required by the Fire Department.  If an apparatus is to be used for background, only the necessary drivers for that apparatus will be required.  Some special effects may require the assignment of a fire apparatus and manpower as determined by the Fire Department.

"NO PARKING" SIGNS

Certain areas can be posted for "No Parking" to reserve parking spaces for the production vehicles.  Prior to the film permit times, the production company will post the “No Parking” signs for the parking areas allocated in the permit.

CANCELING

Upon a short notice cancellation, if the officer cannot be notified before he goes to the location, the Officer will still be paid a four (4) hour minimum, for which the film company will be billed.  Once the film permit request form has been submitted, an application fee will be charged when the company representative fails to withdraw the request 24 hours prior to request film shoot. If a Fire Safety Officer has been assigned, please call 818-238-3386 to cancel.

COMPLAINTS

If there should be a problem at the location, it is the responsibility of the senior law enforcement officer working the job to handle the situation, or contact the Traffic Commander, Film Coordinator or Watch Commander to mediate.

DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIT

A copy of the film permit will be given to the production company.  A copy of the film permit must be on hand at all times at the film location.  A copy of the permit will be distributed to the appropriate City departments involved.

VISIT HERE FOR FILM PERMIT - FEE SCHEDULE