Folsom's Filming & Production: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles filming & production a little differently. In Folsom, California, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Street Closures

Folsom's Film Permit Ordinance, Municipal Code Chapter 5.80, requires a city manager permit before any production activity uses public streets, and lets the city condition that permit on posting no-parking signs, placing traffic and crowd-control devices, and restricting street parking, all at the production company's expense.

Key details: Governing chapter: FMC Chapter 5.80. Permit issuer: City manager. Street-use disclosure: Required in application, § 5.80.060. Notice radius: 300 feet of affected residents/businesses. First-offense fine: $50 misdemeanor.

Filming on a public street, including closing lanes or posting no-parking signs, without a city-manager-issued permit is a misdemeanor under Section 5.80.160: $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense of the same provision within a year, and up to $250 for each later offense. The city manager can also revoke or suspend a permit under Section 5.80.150 for noncompliance or safety hazards.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Folsom actively enforces its street closures requirements.

Student Filming

Folsom exempts student filming from its film permit ordinance. Under Municipal Code Section 5.80.040(C)(6), students enrolled in local Folsom colleges, high schools, junior highs, elementary schools, or other educational institutions can shoot video for noncommercial educational purposes without a city permit, as long as the activity does not affect public streets or public places.

Key details: Exempt activity: Noncommercial student filming, Section 5.80.040(C)(6). Covers: Folsom college, high school, junior high, elementary students. Condition: Must not impact public streets or public places. If exceeded: Full film permit and fees required, Section 5.80.050. General permit fine: $50 first offense, up to $250 repeat violations.

Filming without a required permit, when an activity does not qualify for the student exemption, is unlawful under Section 5.80.040(A) and is enforced as a misdemeanor under Section 5.80.160, with fines up to $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second within a year, and $250 for each additional violation, plus administrative penalties under Chapter 1.09.

Folsom is more permissive than most cities when it comes to student filming. That said, there are still limits.

Location Permits

Folsom requires a film permit from the city manager before any motion picture, television, commercial, or new media production activity on public or private property in the city. Section 5.80.040 makes unpermitted filming unlawful, and Section 5.80.050 requires applicants to file as far ahead as practicable, with the city aiming to respond within forty-eight hours of a complete application.

Key details: Permit issuer: City manager, under Section 5.80.040. Response target: 48 hours after complete application, Section 5.80.050(C). Required extras: Insurance certificate, parking plan, department review. Notice radius: 300 feet to affected residents/businesses, Section 5.80.080(L). First-offense fine: Up to $50, rising to $250 for repeat violations.

Conducting production activity without the required permit is a misdemeanor under Section 5.80.160, punishable by a fine up to $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second violation of the same provision within a year, and $250 for each further violation, with each unabated day a separate offense. The city manager can also revoke a permit already issued for noncompliance under Section 5.80.150.

Compared to other cities, Folsom takes a harder line on location permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Production Noise

Folsom film permits can carry specific noise conditions. Section 5.80.080(J) lets the city manager restrict the noise level of any production activity, and Section 5.80.080(F) lets the city bar or limit gunfire, explosions, generators, and other noise-creating equipment as a condition of the permit itself, on top of the city's general noise ordinance.

Key details: Noise condition authority: City manager, Section 5.80.080(J). Equipment limits: Generators, gunfire, explosions restricted, Section 5.80.080(F). Neighbor notice: 300 feet, greater if warranted, Section 5.80.080(L). Bystander interference: Misdemeanor to disrupt permitted sound recording. Permit remedy: Revocation for noncompliance, Section 5.80.150(A).

Violating a permit's noise condition is grounds for revocation of the film permit by the city manager under Section 5.80.150(A), and violating the underlying permit requirement is a misdemeanor under Section 5.80.160, punishable by fines up to $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second within a year, and $250 for further violations, each unabated day counting separately.

The Bottom Line

Folsom is tougher than many cities when it comes to filming & production. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Folsom, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Folsom's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.