City of Monrovia

FILMING PERMITS

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• Filming Permit Guidelines
• Filming Permit Guidelines for the Downtown

FILMING INFORMATION

A film permit is required for filming motion pictures, television shows, commercials, video tapes and for shooting commercial photography. Charitable and student films must obtain a permit and reimburse the City for the cost of personnel and equipment, but are exempt from permit fees.

Basic fees are $755 per day plus a $75 Historical Preservation fee. Additional fees will be required in the Old Town Business District based on business impact.

Applications must be submitted four working days prior to the proposed filming activity. Traffic control, special effects and after-hours filming will require more time for scheduling of City personnel. Extra permit processing time may also be needed for proposed filming in sensitive, frequently filmed areas of Monrovia, including our Old Town Business District.

A detailed description of filming activities for each location is required, including: (1) date and times, (2) number of personnel and vehicles, (3) any proposed use of animals, pyrotechnics or special effects, (4) traffic control required, (5) camera and equipment placement, (6) a parking plan showing equipment and vehicle parking and locations of crew parking (note that crew parking should be off-street), (7) proposed location of No Parking signs, (8) pre-filming activities, including building construction, set dressings etc. with number of personnel and vehicles involved and any parking or traffic control requirements.

Old Town Film guidelines must be followed for filming activity in the downtown area. A representative of the company must attend a pre-filming meeting with City and Old Town Merchants' representatives to discuss proposed filming activities in the Old Town Business District. The film company representative is also to collect the required signatures of the affected merchants.

Signatures on a form detailing the proposed filming activities - including times, dates, parking, traffic control, etc. - must be obtained from neighboring residents and/or businesses who might be affected by the proposed activities. This must be done prior to issuance of the permit.

Also note that neighbors adjacent to crew parking lots must be notified of proposed parking activities, including dates and times.

A film permit will be issued once it is determined that the proposed activities will not unduly disrupt neighboring residents and/or businesses, certificate of insurance is on file and permit fees paid. Conditions may be attached to a permit to ensure a minimum of danger to the health and safety of persons, disruption of neighboring residents and/or businesses and traffic congestion.

A film liaison is required onsite during all film activities at a fee to the applicant of $26.25 per hour payable at time of permit issuance. The liaison will be on site to ensure compliance with permit conditions and to mitigate any problems that might arise.

A Certificate of Insurance is required in an amount of not less than $1 million on which the City of Monrovia is designated as additional insured.  Proof of Worker's Compensation is also required.

Traffic control requires assignment of Monrovia Police Department personnel (4 hours minimum charge) at $92.50 per hour, payable at time of permit issuance. Note: An administrative charge of $94 will be charged for each amendment/change of assigned police personnel.

Special effects and/or pyrotechnics require a special effects permit from the Monrovia Fire Department. A Monrovia Fire Department Inspector will be assigned during testing and/or filming of special effects/pyrotechnics (3 hours minimum charge).

A Monrovia Fire Inspector will inspect equipment at each location for safety Monday- Thursday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. at a charge of $84.00 per location/per day payable at time of permit issuance. In addition to the permit fee, any location filming which begins Monday-Thursday between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m., or which takes place Friday-Sunday or Holidays, will be billed at three hours minimum for inspection by an on-call fire inspector.

The posting of No Paking signs is the responsibility of film perssonel.  Applicant must post signs 24 hours prior to filming. Dates and times shall be printed on signs.

Sandwich board signs are to be posted at each film location.

Revocation of a permit may occur in the following circumstances: (1) where there has been misrepresentation in the permit application with respect to the nature of the filming activity, the number of personnel or equipment or other relevant matter, (2) violation of the film permit conditions of approval; and (3) where the filming activity, as conducted, has become a hazard to persons or property, or is unduly disruptive to neighboring resident and/or businesses.

If you have further questions, please contact the Business License Office at (626) 932-5586.