Legislative Policy Committee
February 28, 2024

Planning & Community Development
Review of South San Rafael
Filming Guidelines
Legislative Policy Committee
February 28, 2024
Planning & Community Development
Overview
• Summarize Film Ordinance
• Summarize General Filming Guidelines
• Summarize Frequently Filmed & Special Filming
Guidelines (South San Rafael)
2 Planning & Community Development
Background
The Film Ordinance was adopted in 1985 for the
purpose of establishing procedures and
regulations for allowing filming in the City.
• Residential properties are allowed to host up to 6
days of filming per quarter of a calendar year, and
up to 24 days each year.
• Commercial properties are allowed to host up to 15
days of filming per quarter of a calendar year, and
up to 60 days each year.
3 Planning & Community Development
General Filming Guidelines
General Filming Guidelines were implemented to
work in tandem with the Ordinance and set
parameters for filming within the City.

Notification Requirements
> 300 ft. (linear distance in each direction of
location)required
> Additional notification may be required based on
nature of request, scope of work and impact to
the area
> Still photography within 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM is exempt
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General Filming Guidelines
General Film Guidelines
• Signature Requirements
> Standard filming hours in residential zone: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (no signatures required, unless there is street parking or impact in the public right of way
> 51% signatures required within 300 ft. of location for 7:00 AM- 10:00 PM
> 90% signatures required within 300ft. of location for activity before 7:00AM and after 10:00PM
> 75% signatures required within 300ft. of location for activity before 7:00AM and after 10:00PM on Friday
or Saturday.
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General Filming Guidelines
General Film Guidelines
• Proposed Parking Plan
> Scaled plan required for all film requests
> Street parking is limited to essential production
vehicles only
> Crew parking not permitted on city streets
> Street posting/parking requires signatures from
impacted properties (residential & commercial)
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Frequently Filmed Areas
Guidelines for Filming in Frequently Filmed Areas
• Established in 1992 to provide scrutiny and
more stringent conditions for film activity taking
place in areas deemed “frequently filmed”.
> Residential areas where one or more properties
have been used for a total of 6 days within a 90-day
period are considered frequently filmed areas
> Commercial areas where one or more properties
have been used for a total of 15 days within a 90-
day period are considered frequently filmed areas
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Frequently Filmed Areas
Guidelines for Filming in Frequently Filmed Areas
• All proposed films shoots are approved on a case-by-
case basis.
• All activity is limited to standard filming hours 7:00AM- 7:00PM. (any extension to this would require 100%
signatures from the 300’ impacted area).
• All shoots must consist of minimal street parking.
• All shoots require assigned city personnel to enforce conditions of the film permit.
8 Planning & Community Development
9 South San Rafael Filming District
• District Borders:
> Colorado Bl to
the N.
> La Loma Rd. to
the S.
> Along San Rafael
Ave. (including
San Rafael Ln.)
• Totaling 46 SFR’s.

LOWER ARROYO SECO
Planning & Community Development
South San Rafael Filming Guidelines
Special Filming Guidelines: South San Rafael
(Addendum)
• Established in 1992 after being considered the largest group of filming hosts of any street in the City.
• In 1990, San Rafael hosted 51 days of filming. Over
eleven homeowners hosted filming, which resulted in
neighborhood fatigue.
• Film staff met with San Rafael neighbors and
established Special Filming Guidelines to mitigate
impacts to the neighborhood.
> Two thirds of the district voted to have the addendum established and approved by council.
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South San Rafael Filming Guidelines
South San Rafael Guidelines
• Notification required by mail 7 days in advance
> 1300 ft’ linear distance in each direction of location > Notice must be postmarked 1 week in advance, written affidavit required
• Street parking limited to 5 trucks + 1 generator
> Overnight parking not permitted
• Shuttling limited to 3 or fewer vehicles at a time.
• Personnel required for all film activity ½ hr. prior to start time. > PD, Film Monitor
• Film activity not permitted on Saturday or Sunday
> Unless signature requirement is met
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General Filming Guidelines
South San Rafael Filming Guidelines
• Signature Requirements
> 51% signatures required 7:00AM-7:00PM
 Activity taking place entirely on private property
» Properties abutting the film location + properties directly across the street and parallel to the location
> 75% signatures required 7:00AM-10:00PM
 Activity involving driving, parking on the street, traffic control » Properties abutting the film location + 3 properties on each side of the property on both sides of the street
> 100% signatures required
 Activity outside of 7:00AM-10:00PM
» Properties abutting the film location + 5 properties on each side of the property on both sides of the street
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