Standard Disclaimer
FilmLA has gathered the location filming information in this article as a service to the entertainment industry. It is updated regularly, but also subject to change. FilmLA cannot and does not guarantee that the information contained here is at any time complete and without error. By using this site, you acknowledge these limitations and agree that neither FilmLA, nor its predecessors, successors, partners, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives shall be liable for any reason for damages of any nature (including special, incidental, compensatory, consequential or punitive) to any individual or entity who uses or relies on the information contained here for any purpose. Factual errors may be reported to FilmLA using the links provided at the bottom of the article.
Standard Requirements
Permit Requirement
According to the City of Los Angeles, Division 22, Chapter 13, Article 8, Section 22.350 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, a temporary use (filming) permit is required for all on-location filming of a commercial nature, conducted on both public and private property, within the city's jurisdiction.
Application Deadline
10 AM DEADLINE
Application / location submission is due in MyFilmLA by 10 a.m. Late applications are ineligible for processing.
Below are the minimum processing times for permit applications. Holidays may affect deadlines. Changes due to holidays will be posted on our website (www.filmla.com) and sent to registered subscribers via Production Alert, prior to the holiday.
Processing for on-location filming requires a minimum of three full business days prior to the first activity date, not including the date of submission.
- To film on SATURDAY, SUNDAY or MONDAY, submit application by 10 a.m. Wednesday of week prior
- To film on TUESDAY, submit by 10 a.m. Thursday of week prior
- To film on WEDNESDAY, submit by 10 a.m. Friday of week prior
- To film on THURSDAY, submit application by 10 a.m. Monday of same week
- To film on FRIDAY, submit application by 10 a.m. Tuesday of same week
All high impact or exceptional activity (example: stunts, special effects, gunfire, aerial activity, closures) will require additional lead time.
Use of some City properties for filming, for example Los Angeles City Parks, require at minimum four (4) business days to coordinate.
Standard Filming Hours
Standard filming hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. on weekends. Any request for filming outside these hours may require a filming survey showing significant support of the requested activity from the affected residents.
Insurance Requirements
Filmmakers seeking permits to film on-location in the City of Los Angeles must have insurance on file with the City and FilmLA. If you do not have insurance on file, please provide us with mandatory insurance as per the insurance requirements below.
Insurance coverage limits may vary based on activity and location. We do not advise you to purchase insurance without first discussing your filming plans with a FilmLA insurance specialist.
Please forward all insurance requirements for this jurisdiction to your broker for processing.
Final permits will not be released until all insurance has been reviewed and approved by FilmLA, so please submit your insurance certificates as soon as possible.
Required Insurance Coverage
- Commercial General Liability
Minimum Limits (per occurrence)
- $500,000 - Still Photography Only
- $1,000,000 - Motion Capture (Filming)
- $2,000,000 - DWP
- $3,000,000 - Harbor Department
- $2,000,000 - UAS Use (Drones)
- 5,000,000 - Aircraft Use
Additional Insured
- The City of Los Angeles added as additional insured; see link below for specific wording and sample.
- FilmLA must also be added as additional insured; see link below for specific wording and sample.
Insurance Submission
Please have your insurance agent or broker submit your insurance electronically via KwikComply®, the Insurance & Bonds Compliance System of the City of Los Angeles. KwikComply® is an online system that uses the Acord 25 Certificate of Liability Insurance and provides paperless approval transactions (24 hours, 7 days per week).
For further details, direct your insurance agent or broker to this link for detailed instructions. For any additional questions about this process you may contact the City’s Risk Management Office at (213) 978-7475 or a FilmLA Insurance Specialist at (213) 977-8600.
For Filming in the Harbor: Direct all questions attention Marie Gutierrez, either via email mgutierrez@portla.org, phone at (310) 732-3837 or fax (310) 833-8230. More information is also available through the Port of L.A.’s Risk Management’s website.
City of Los Angeles Insurance Guidelines / Sample
City of LA - UAS / Drone Hold Harmless Agreement
Department Requirements
Los Angeles City Fire Department
Most permits approved by the Los Angeles City Fire Department can take advantage of the department’s Spot Check program. Shoots ineligible for the Spot Check program are assigned a Uniformed Fire Safety Officer (UFSO) for direct set supervision.
UFSO assignment and scheduling is based on the production’s filming activities and stated needs at the time the permit application is submitted to FilmLA. Should plans change in the interim, the Fire Department will only consider requests to adjust UFSO assignment up until 2:00 p.m. on the last business day before the officer’s scheduled start. Requests received after 2:00 p.m. cannot be considered, and the Fire Department will not offer refunds for portions of UFSO shifts not canceled before the 2:00 p.m. deadline. Mandatory minimum fees apply.
Application for Specific Action or Project
Special Effects Permit Request
Schools & Churches Pre-Approval Form
Hospital Filming Location Evaluation Report
LAFD Film Unit - Information Page
Motion Picture Officer Requirements
In the City of Los Angeles off duty or retired LAPD Officers may be required for public safety depending on the filming location and requested filming activities. A list of activities that commonly require officers can be found here.
Posting / "Temporary No Parking" Signs
Posting is a request for "Temporary No Parking” signs intended for production vehicles with commercial license plates only. Personal vehicles may not be parked within posted parking areas.
All municipalities require cast and crew vehicles to be parked on private property. Cast and crew vehicles may not park on public streets.
Personal vehicles (including cast and crew vehicles) parked in posted parking areas are subject to citation by Parking Enforcement.
LA City Posting fees are collected per 300’ and per side of the street.
‘No Parking’ sign Posting requests must contain the following information:
- Street name
- Side of the street as follows: (N/S for “north side,” S/S for “south side,” E/S for “east side,” W/S for “west side,” or B/S for “both sides,”
- How many feet are being requested, OR must indicate a starting point and an ending point
Sample posting requests:
“S/S of Red Street, from Blue St to Green St”
“W/S of Yellow St, from Blue Street North 200’”
“B/S of Green St from 222 Green St North 200’”
When requesting signs to be posted for street parking, 3 full working days’ notice prior to your 1st film date is required, and your application must be received no later than 10am. Posting deadlines for “Temporary No Parking” signs, based on processing timeframes established by LADOT, are as follows:
| Posting Date | FilmLA Submission Deadline |
|---|---|
| Saturday, Sunday and Monday | Wednesday |
| Tuesday | Thursday |
| Wednesday | Friday |
| Thursday | Monday |
| Friday | Tuesday |
If a posting request is submitted to FilmLA after 10am on the deadline date it is due, it will be considered late and we cannot guarantee that the request will be accommodated.
It should also be noted that holiday schedules will affect these deadlines, so please contact our office in advance when applicable.
Reservations for City Locations
Reservations are required for filming in City parks and in select City of Los Angeles properties, through FilmLA's Online Reservations System.
Fee Schedule
Common Fees, LA City
FilmLA Basic Fees List
Below are the most common fees assessed by this jurisdiction. Additional application, use, or personnel fees may apply based on location or scope of activity for this jurisdiction. Any fees not directly collected by FilmLA on behalf of the municipality through the film permit must be paid directly to the service provider. FilmLA makes every effort to publish the most up to date fees for these municipal service providers, however fees are subject to change at their discretion.
FilmLA Basic Fees List
| Fee Type | Rate | Per |
|---|---|---|
|
Permit Application Fee Up to 5 Locations, 7 Consecutive Days |
$931 | Permit |
|
Permit Rider Fee During Business Hours |
$148.75 | Rider |
|
Permit Rider Fee After Business Hours |
$208 | Rider |
|
Still Photo Application Fee* Cast/Crew of 16+ Requires Motion Rate |
$104 | Permit |
| Still Photo Rider Fee | $31 | Rider |
| Student Permit Fee (simple) | $52 | Permit |
| Student Permit Fee (complex) | $134 | Permit |
| Non-Profit (PSA) Permit App Fee | $73 | Permit |
| Non-Profit (PSA) Permit Rider Fee | $36 | Permit |
|
Notification Fee Base Radius |
$232 | Radius |
| Lane Closure Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
| Gunfire Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
| Special FX - Explosion & Smoke Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
| Drone Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
| Helicopter Administration Fee | $78 | Involved Location |
|
FilmLA Monitor Fee** Minimum Applies. Subject to OT and DT. Standard Arrival: 1 Hour Prior to Permit Start Time. |
$44.50 | Hour |
* Still photo productions with a cast / crew size of 16 or more people will incur the Motion application fee. Any B-roll or motion filming in conjunction with a still photo shoot will also incur the Motion rate. Additionally, for crews of this size or larger, a LAFD Spot Check Surcharge will also be assessed.
** The FilmLA monitor service is charged in hourly increments based on time at location. For example, if monitor service is required from 6am-10pm, the breakdown of service hours would be 8 Regular hours, 4 overtime hours, and 4 double time hours to cover the service, whether completed by one or multiple monitors.
Common Fees, LA City
| Fee Type | Rate | Per |
|---|---|---|
| LA City Fire Department - Spot Check Surcharge | $287 | Permit |
| LA City Fire Safety Officer | $127 | Hour (4hr minimum, 1 Hour Travel Time) |
| LA City Lane & Street Closure Fee | $312 | Involved Location |
|
LA City Posting Fee Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$69 | 300' of Linear Curbside Space |
|
LAPD Officer - Retired / Off Duty Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$67.19 - $77.90 | Hour (8hr minimum, Flat Rate, OT after 8 hrs, DT after 12 hrs) |
|
LAPD Officer - Retired / Off Duty Motorcycle Fee Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$75 | Day |
|
LAPD Officer - Active Duty Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$74 | Hour (2-4hr minimum, Flat Rate: No OT/DT, No Motorcycle Fee) |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Film Use Fee | $450 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Still Photo Use Fee (1-14 People) | $75 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Still Photo Use Fee (15+ People) | $150 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Prep / Strike Fee | $150 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Basecamp Only | $450 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Crew Parking Only (1-15 Cars) | $100 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Crew Parking Only (16+ Cars) | $300 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Catering Only (1-74 People) | $225 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Catering Only (75+ People) | $450 | Day |
|
LA Department of Rec & Parks - Special Facility Service Fee Standard use fee waived if Special Facility Fee already collected. |
$150 | Day |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Monitor Fee | $38 | Hour |
| LA Department of Rec & Parks - Monitor Reporting Fee | $76 | Monitor Shift |
| LA Department of Water & Power - Facility Film Use Fee | $800 - $2,000 | Day |
| LA Department of Water & Power - Facility Still Photo Use Fee | $500 | Day |
| LA Department of Water & Power - Facility Monitor Fee | $50 - $70 | Hour |
| Port of Los Angeles - Use Fee | $300 | Day |
| Port of Los Angeles - Prep / Strike Fee | $100 | Day |
| Port of Los Angeles - Case Camp Only | $300 | Day |
| Port of Los Angeles - Crew Parking Only | $150 | Day |
| Port of Los Angeles - Police Officer | $112 | Hour |
Community Relations
Community Filming Surveys
The City of Los Angeles may require a filming survey, designed to demonstrate that affected residents/businesses have been individually contacted and to solicit individual concerns (if any) regarding the requested activity. FilmLA will provide a survey form, guidelines, sample letter, and a sample map, but the production company is responsible for surveying affected residents and businesses.
Community Survey Guidelines and Forms
Neighborhood Notification
FilmLA's standard notification service satisfies all neighborhood notification requirements for this jurisdiction. Processing notification for on-location filming requires a three day lead time before the first activity. This does not include the date of submission. Please be advised exceptional activity may require more advanced notice.
Special Monitors
When necessary, a FilmLA Monitor will be assigned to an individual production which includes filming that occurs on City-owned property, complicated filming activity and frequently filmed areas, etc. The cost of a Monitor will be billed to the production company.
City of Los Angeles Customer Service Survey
FilmLA's contract with the City of Los Angeles is overseen by its Department of Public Works. The City of Los Angeles maintains a Film Permit Customer Service Survey allowing stakeholders to the film permit process an opportunity to share thoughts and feedback online.
This survey form should not be used to report urgent production issues. You may access the survey here.