Ordinance Permitting Motion Picture and Television Production, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and Adoption of a Filming Operations Permit Policy
Summary
SCH Number
2025080475
Public Agency
City of Sonoma
Document Title
Ordinance Permitting Motion Picture and Television Production, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and Adoption of a Filming Operations Permit Policy
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/12/2025
Document Description
An ordinance repealing and replacing SMC Chapter 7.40, Permits for Motion Picture and Television Production, and adding Chapter 7.42, Unmanned Aircraft Systems and a Resolution for the adoption of a new filming operations permit policy to establish clear guidelines for the application, approval, and operation of filming and drone activities.
Contact Information
Name
Jennifer Gates
Agency Name
City of Sonoma
Job Title
Community Development Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Sonoma
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
citywide
Other Information
City wide ordinance
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule)
Reasons for Exemption
The City determined that the adoption and implementation of the ordinance is exempt from further environmental review under the general rule in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. As the project is adding regulations regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft systems without any physical project being approved and modifying the permit process for commercial filming, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. Furthermore, this ordinance will not cause a direct or indirect physical change to the environment and is therefore not a project under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. The proposed ordinance is therefore exempt CEQA because it does not involve a commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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