Bastrop, TX


        Guidelines for Filming in Bastrop, Texas


 


 
I. PURPOSE
The following guidelines are intended to protect the personal and property rights of Bastrop, Texas residents and businesses. The City Manager reserves the right to impose additional regulations in the interest of public safety if deemed necessary. These guidelines cover requests for commercial use of City-owned property (streets, right-of-ways, parks, public areas, and public buildings), commercial use of private property which may affect adjacent public or private property, equipment and personnel in the filming of movies, TV shows, commercials, and related activities.
 
II. CITY CONTROL/CITY MANAGER AUTHORITY
The City Manager may authorize the use of any street, right-of-way, park, public area, or public building, equipment or personnel for commercial uses in the filming or taping of movies, television programs, commercials, or training films and related activities. In conjunction with these uses, the City Manager may require that any or all of the conditions and/or remuneration as specified on the application be met as a prerequisite to that use. The applicant agrees that The City of Bastrop, Texas shall have full control over the use of public streets and buildings of the City while being used, as well as control over the hours of production and the general location of the production. The City reserves the full and absolute right to prohibit all filming or to order cessation of filming if determined to be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. The applicant shall agree to allow the respective City departments (i.e., Police, Fire, Building, etc.) to inspect all structures and/or devices and equipment to be used in connection with the filming and taping if required by the City Manager.
 
III. PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
Before filing an application for filming in Bastrop, Texas, the ‘Film Friendly Liaison,’ located at the office of the Film Commissioner, must be contacted to discuss the production's specific filming requirements and the feasibility of filming in Bastrop, Texas at (225)802-4702.
 
Any commercial producer who desires to undertake a commercial film or tape production in Bastrop, Texas is required to complete and return the attached application for filming to the Film Friendly Liaison for:
​
• Commercials or episodic television a minimum of two (2) business days prior to the commencement of filming or any substantial activity related to the project.
 
• Feature films a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the commencement of filming or any substantial activity related to the project. The City Manager shall retain final approval of all aspects of film-related activity in Bastrop, Texas and may waive these requirements if deemed necessary and appropriate.
 
IV. FEES
An application processing fee of $50.00 should accompany each application for filming in Bastrop, Texas. The City Manager may waive this fee upon proof of an organization’s non-profit status, or for any other reason deemed necessary and appropriate. V. USE OF CITY EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL The applicant will agree to pay for the costs of any Police, Fire, Public Works, or other City personnel assigned to the project (whether specifically requested by the producer or not). Remuneration rates for the use of any City equipment, including police squad cars and fire equipment, will be established on a case-by-case basis as determined by the City Manager. The applicant will agree to pay in full, promptly upon receipt of an invoice, the charges incurred. The City Manager may require a deposit at his discretion for proposed use of the equipment in advance. The City Manager in consultation with the Chief of Police or Fire Chief shall have the authority to stipulate additional police or fire personnel requirements and level of staffing for same, at any time during a film project if it is determined to be in the best interest of public safety, health and welfare, which cost shall be borne by the applicant. Off-duty police officers and firefighters shall be paid a rate as determined by the Chief of Police of Fire Chief, and as approved by the City Manager.
 
VI. USE OF CITY PROPERTY
The City Manager may authorize the use of any street, right-of-way, park, public area, or public building, use of Bastrop, Texas name, trademark, or logo, equipment or personnel for commercial uses in the filming or taping of movies, television programs, commercials, or training films and related activities. In conjunction with these uses, the City Manager may require that any or all of the conditions and/or remuneration as specified on the application be met as a prerequisite to that use. A security or damage deposit may be required based on production activity. Depending upon the extent of the use of City property, the producer agrees to reimburse the City for inconveniences when using public property. Following is the standard rate schedule.
 
Other, special fees may apply on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the City Manager.
Activity Cost (per Calendar Day) Total or disruptive use (regular operating hours) of a public building, park, right-of-way, or public area $500 Partial non-disruptive use of a public building, park, right-of-way, or public area $250
Total closure or obstruction of public street or right-of-way, including parking lots and on-street parking (for filming purposes) $50 per block
Partial closure or obstruction of public street or right-of-way, including parking lots and on-street parking (for filming purposes) $25 per block
Use of City parking lots, parking areas, and City streets (for the purpose of parking film trailers, buses, catering trucks, and other large vehicles) $50 per block or lot
The applicant agrees that the City, by and through the City Manager, of Bastrop, Texas shall have full control over the use of the name, trademark and logo, public streets, parks, and buildings of the City while being used, as well as control over the hours of production and the general location of the production.

The City reserves the full and absolute right to prohibit all filming or to order cessation of filming if determined to be hazardous to the public health, safety and welfare.
 
VII. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES
The applicant shall provide a report listing the number of vehicles and types of equipment to be used during the filming including their proposed hours of use and their proposed parking locations. Such locations will need to be specifically approved by the City Manager so as to maintain traffic safety. Onstreet parking or use of public parking lots is subject to City Manager approval. The use of exterior lighting, power generators, or any other noise or light producing equipment requires on-site approval of the City Manager.
 
VIII. HOURS OF FILMING
Unless permission has been obtained from the City Manager in advance and affected property owners are notified, filming will be limited to the following hours: Monday thru Friday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and holidays 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. IX. NOTIFICATION OF NEIGHBORS The applicant shall provide a short written description, approved by the City Manager, of the schedule for the proposed production to the owners and residents of each property in the affected neighborhood (as defined by boundaries set by the City Manager). The applicant, or his designee, shall contact the owners and residents of all such property and submit as part of this application a report noting any owner or resident's reaction along with the address and phone numbers of all such property owners and residents and their signatures.
 
X. CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
The producer shall attach a certificate of insurance, naming The City of Bastrop, Texas as an additional insured, in an amount not less than $1 million general liability, including bodily injury and property damage with a $5 million umbrella; and automobile liability (if applicable) in an amount not less than $1 million including bodily injury and property damage.
 
XI. LIABILITY
The applicant agrees to pay in full, within 30 days of receipt of an invoice, the costs of repair for any and all damage to public or private property, resulting from or in connection with, or arising out of the production, or to restore the property to the same or better condition as prior to the commencement production.
 
XII. HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT
The Applicant and the Producer, if different individuals, shall agree in writing to hold the City harmless from any and all claims, whether for injury to person or property, that are related to or may arise from their use of designated public property, right-of-way, or equipment in conjunction with the permitted use