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 Los Angeles County Code § 22.56.1925, an application for a temporary use (filming) permit must be filed for on-location filming within all unincorporated county areas, on both public and private property.
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 three full business days prior to first activity date. This does not include the date of submission.
- All high impact or exceptional activity (example: stunts, special effects, gunfire, aerial activity, closures) will require additional lead time (4 -7 days before the first activity date which includes the prep date).
- Most LA County approval offices are closed on Fridays.
Standard Filming Hours
Standard filming hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. Any request for filming outside these hours may require a community filming survey, showing significant support of the requested activity from the affected residents.
Insurance Requirements
Filmmakers seeking permits to film on-location in the County of Los Angeles must have insurance on file with 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
- Auto Liability
- Proof of Workers’ Compensation
Minimum Limits (per occurrence)
- $1,000,000 - Still Photography only
- $1,000,000 - Motion Capture (filming)
- $5,000,000 - Aircraft use
Additional Insured
- The County 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
You may submit insurance documentation via MyFilmLA using the file upload link. This upload link can be found in the request email sent to you from the Insurance Department.
If you have any questions about our requirements, please contact our office at 213.977.8600 and ask to speak with an insurance specialist.
County of Los Angeles Insurance Guidelines / Sample
Department Requirements
Animal Care & Control
For exhibiting animals in a production within Los Angeles County, please use the application below provided by the Department of Animal Care and Control:
Application for Animal Exhibition Permit
Beaches and Harbors
Please refer to Knowledge Base article, “Filming at Area Beaches” for more information about this topic.
County of Los Angeles Fire Department
LA County FD Field Inspection Program
LA County FD Location Inspection Checklist
Police Supervision
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officers or LA County Sheriff’s Officers will provide safety oversight for certain filming and film parking activities in unincorporated LA County, including use of LA County roads or sidewalks for filming, parking or staging of equipment.
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.
‘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’”
In unincorporated LA County, production is responsible for posting the ‘No Parking’ signs which can be obtained directly from LA County Public Works offices or from another independent source.
A minimum of (1) LA County Sheriff/CHP Officer is always required. This fee is paid directly to the service provider and is not collected by FilmLA.
Use of LA County Roads for filming, parking, or staging will incur the following fees:
- LA County Roads – Inspection Fee
- LA County Roads- Encroachment Permit Processing Fee
- LA County Roads Application Fee
Fee Schedule
Common Fees, LA County
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 County
| Fee Type | Rate | Per |
|---|---|---|
| LA County Fire - Filming Review Fee | $343.30 | Permit |
|
LA County Fire - Still Photography Review Fee For Shoots Involving 16+ People |
$277.00 | Permit |
| LA County Fire - Special Effects Permit Fee | $350 | Involved Location |
|
LA County Fire Safety Advisor (FSA) Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$63.51 | Hour (4hr minimum, OT/DT Applies) |
|
LA County Fire Safety Officer (FSO) Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$201.82 | Hour (4hr minimum, Flat Rate: No OT/DT) |
| LA County Roads - Inspection Fee (Use) | $468 | Day |
| LA County Roads - Encroachment Permit Processing Fee | $387 | Area |
| LA County Roads - Application Fee (Issuance) | $214 | Involved Location |
| LA County Beaches - Filming Use Fee | $400 | Day |
|
LA County Beaches - Still Photography Use Fee For Shoots Involving 1-15 People |
$100 | Day |
|
LA County Beaches - Prep / Strike Fee Basic Rate, Applies to First 3 Days of Activity |
$100 | Day |
|
LA County Beaches - Prep / Strike Fee - Extended Applies to Beginning 4th Day of Activity |
$400 | Day |
|
LA County Lifeguards Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$230 | Hour (4hr min. if beach open, 8hr min. if beach closed) |
| LA County Parks - Filming Use Fee | $400 | Day |
| LA County Parks - Still Photography Use Fee | $100 | Day |
|
LA County Parks - Prep / Strike Fee Basic Rate, Applies to First 3 Days of Activity |
$100 | Day |
|
LA County Parks - Prep / Strike Fee - Extended Applies to Beginning 4th Day of Activity |
$400 | Day |
| LA County Building / Facility Filming Use Fee | $400 | Day |
|
LA County Building / Facility Still Photography Use Fee For Shoots Involving 1-15 People |
$100 | Day |
|
LA County Building / Facility Prep / Strike Fee Basic Rate, Applies to First 3 Days of Activity |
$100 | Day |
|
LA County Building / Facility Prep / Strike Fee - Extended Applies to Beginning 4th Day of Activity |
$400 | Day |
| LA County Flood Control Permit Issuance Fee | $174 | Permit |
|
LA County Flood Control Use Fee Applies to All Prep, Strike, Still Photo & Filming Days |
$1,181 | Day |
|
LA County Sheriff Officer Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$95.11 | Hour (6hr min, Flat Rate, + Mileage @ $1.22 per mile) |
|
California Highway Patrol Officer Paid directly to provider and not collected by FilmLA. |
$105.91 | Hour (4hr min, Flat Rate, + Mileage @ $1.45 per mile) |
Community Relations
Community Filming Surveys
The County of Los Angeles may require a Community 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 County-owned property, complicated filming activity and frequently filmed areas, etc. The cost of a Monitor will be billed to the production company.