Bountiful council weighs a broad event-permit code versus a film-specific restriction

City Attorney Jepsen told the Bountiful City Council at its Sept. 9 work session that staff proposes either a broad event-permit ordinance covering most public activities that affect streets, parks or parking, or a narrow, film-specific ordinance targeting productions.

Jepsen said the city must account for constitutional protections for speech when regulating filming and other events: "we can't just carte blanc, stop movie filming, stop wedding filming, stop filming in our city completely." He told the council the ordinance must establish a compelling governmental interest, be reasonable and not operate as an outright prohibition.

The draft presented creates three permit timing categories and fees: a standard application filed at least 10 business days before an event; an expedited application (filed 5—— business days before) with a proposed fee of $150; and a late application (filed with fewer than five business days' notice) with a proposed fee of $200. Jepsen said the city would refund fees if staff cannot process late applications in time.

The broad draft distinguishes short events that wrap within 24 hours from multi-day events, which the…