Thousand Oaks adopts streamlined film-permit ordinance, drops $5,000 expedite fee

The Thousand Oaks City Council on a 5–0 vote approved an ordinance to revise the city's commercial filming regulations and related fees, aiming to make the city more attractive and quicker for productions while preserving neighborhood protections.

Deputy Cultural and Community Services Director Melissa Hurtado told the council the ordinance would move film-permit processing into the Cultural and Community Services Department, replace the existing signature-survey rules with impact-based notification practices, and scrap the $5,000 expedite fee that industry representatives said deterred short-notice shoots. "We don't see the need to charge this fee," Hurtado said, describing a new "a la carte" fee model that charges applicants only for reviews or services they actually need.

The measure would also authorize the city manager to adopt an administrative policy setting detailed procedural rules so staff can update requirements without returning to ordinance changes. Staff said the policy would require notice to residents and businesses within 300 feet of a shoot but would only require signed approvals in higher-impact scenarios (for example, late-night work or projects that occupy parking serving other businesses).

Chamber and industry speakers told the council the change could restore productions that have bypassed Thousand Oaks because of rigid rules and high short-notice costs. "That $5,000 fee lost a promotional opportunity for one of our small businesses," Danielle Borgia, president and CEO of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, told the council, citing an instance where a small cafe could not accept a short-notice shoot because of the fee. Kyle Rohrbach, a local producer, suggested a separate category for digital/content creators and a tiered fee schedule for very small productions.

Councilmembers pressed staff on several points, including nighttime filming hours, insurance baselines and how the city would balance resident protections with industry flexibility. Hurtado said standard noise and safety ordinances would still apply and staff would return with implementation lessons and a proposed one-year report on program outcomes.

Councilmember Adam moved adoption of the ordinance; the motion passed 5–0. The ordinance title read: "Ordinance amending Thousand Oaks Municipal Code relating to regulation of commercial filming in the city, repealing and replacing Title Four, Chapter Eight." Staff said software upgrades and one part-time permit technician are planned to implement the new policy.

The ordinance now gives staff authority to finalize the administrative policy and work with partners such as the Ventura County Film Commission and the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber to market Thousand Oaks as a film-friendly location.