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Council directs staff to adopt tiered, impact-based film permitting
Summary
Staff proposed replacing the city's single-permit film process with a tiered, impact-based system (no impact, low, standard, complex), exemptions for private-property low-impact shoots, and aspirational review timelines; council directed staff to return with ordinance amendments.
The Big Bear Lake City Council on July 8 directed staff to draft ordinance changes to transition the cityfilm permitting process from a single-permit model to an impact-based, tiered framework.
Kelly Tinker presented the proposal, which would classify applications as no impact, low impact, standard or complex. No-impact filming (private property, minimal neighbor impact, no special effects) would be exempt from permits. Low-impact shoots could use a streamlined application and reduced fees. Standard and complex productions would follow the full review process, including interagency coordination for road or public-safety impacts.
Tinker said staff's goal is to provide predictable timelines—two business days for no- and low-impact decisions, five days for standard permits and up to 10 for complex productions where coordinated services are required—and to create a centralized film-friendly webpage with guidance on fees, insurance, drone rules and location information. The current practice refers most applications to Inland Empire Film Services (IEFS) for coordination; staff proposed keeping IEFS involved for standard and complex tiers while processing no- and low-impact permits in-house.
Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate drone-related policies with the airport and with public safety (fire and sheriff). Public comments ranged from support for simplifying the process to questions about First Amendment filming and enforcement of filming at short-term rental properties.
The council voted to direct staff to return with proposed amendments to Chapter 5.97 of the municipal code and related administrative procedures for council consideration.
