SANTA PAULA : Film Ordinance Revised by Council

The Santa Paula City Council has approved a change to the city’s tough film ordinance that allows businesses to tape commercials on their premises without obtaining an expensive film permit.

Adopted without comment on Monday, the amendment declares “low-impact� filming exempt from the city’s film regulations, which require filmmakers to pay the city a minimum fee of $750. News gathering, non-commercial family filming, and charitable projects were already exempt from the ordinance.

Under the new amendment, no permit will be required for filming that takes place on private property, requires no more than a three-person crew and one vehicle, does not need supervision by police or fire personnel and does not interfere with other businesses or property.

An amendment was first proposed last September by Police Chief Walter Adair after he witnessed a commercial being taped at an airport restaurant without a permit.

Council members agreed that a 1992 revision of the city’s film ordinance that substantially increased fees was aimed at minimizing problems associated with commercial film projects, and not at controlling local commercials.