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.
Filming on the Sixth Street Bridge
Productions wishing to film on the Sixth Street Bridge (aka 6th St Bridge), involving lane or full closures, are subject to specific requirements including obtaining a City of Los Angeles film permit. Filming beneath the bridge in the the LA County River Bed requires a valid City film permit, plus additional requirements. This article is intended to provide you with general information regarding filming on the bridge itself.
To discuss your plans in detail, reach out to FilmLA Solution Services or email us at info@filmla.com.
Application & Timing
To use the Sixth Street Bridge for filming you must apply for a filming permit online via MyFilmLA. The deadline to submit your permit request is 10:00 a.m., five (5) business days prior to your first activity date. Because full closures of the bridge are limited to specific days of the month, and must be planned around other events, we always recommend allowing additional time, especially for complex requests or exceptional activity.
General Conditions
- Only one production is allowed at a time on the Sixth Street Bridge.
- For multiple day / large production activity, there must be one day between productions to address unforeseen needs (scheduling, maintenance, safety etc.)
- Productions are allowed a maximum of five (5) consecutive days of access per request (less if full closures are needed). Productions requesting more than five (5) days must submit an activity plan for each additional day for review / City approval.
- There must be a 6-hour minimum gap of filming between production dates.
- Standard hours for film use are 6 AM to midnight. Activity outside of standard hours requires additional review with City and Bridge stakeholders.
- Closure and officer hiring protocols must be followed per LAPD and LADOT guidelines.
- No interference with construction activity is allowed, with no exceptions. Production companies must accept and work around any construction related noise.
- Sixth Street Bridge film activity and closures will not be permitted on dates with previously scheduled City or private events, festivals or holidays.
Conditions - Lane Closure
- One lane at a time may be closed during the week, non-rush hours ONLY, no exceptions.
- One lane closure is allowed on weekends; rush hour restriction does not apply.
Conditions - Full Closure
- All requests for full closure are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Full closures of the Sixth Street Bridge are limited to two (2) productions per month.
- Full closures can be requested for select weekends only; specifically, they may only be scheduled on the first or third weekend of the calendar month. The 2nd and last weekend of the month cannot be used as alternative dates for community consideration and continuity.
- Hours of use must fall between 9 PM Friday – 4 AM Monday.
- Simultaneous closure of the 4th & 7th Street Bridges will not be permitted.
- Prior requested closures of 4th & 7th Street Bridge take precedence over 6th Street Bridge requests.
- Productions requesting more than 2 days of full closure must submit an activity plan for each additional day for review/city approval.
Notification Requirements
- Productions that use Sixth Street Bridge for filming must alert community three (3) days in advance of full closure using CMS signs in Boyle Heights on Whitter Blvd. between Boyle Ave. and Soto St.
- Productions must maintain access to the 101 FWY entrance ramp on the east side of Sixth Street Bridge.
- FilmLA Production Coordinators will send notification emails directly to contacts at the Little Tokyo - Arts District Neighborhood Council and Arts District Down BID.
- Community Filming Surveys are always required for full closures, using FilmLA approved radius.
Personnel Requirements
Although not an automatic requirement, public safety personnel from the local police or fire department may be assigned to your production depending on the details of your shoot. Approvals and personnel assignments are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Filming-Related Fees
Your total cost to film on the Sixth Street Bridge is determined by the duration of your stay and your intended filming activities. Higher-impact activities could incur additional fees for personnel, extended notification, or other services required.
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 - Base Camp Only | $300 | Day |
| Port of Los Angeles - Crew Parking Only | $150 | Day |
| Port of Los Angeles - Police Officer | $112 | Hour |