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.
The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks oversee some of the City’s most popular and iconic filming locations. With over 600 Recreation and Parks properties to choose from, filmmakers have a multitude of options when it comes to finding the perfect filming location, basecamp or crew parking lot.
Oversight of filming reservations and approval of filming activity on LA City Parks and Recreation properties lies with the LA City Park Film Office (PFO). For more info about PFO visit their website at: https://www.laparks.org/park-film-office
Finding a Location
You can find many LA City Parks properties listed in FilmLA's location database, LocoScout.
Properties can also be researched on the City’s website at: laparks.org.
Something to keep in mind: There are numerous jurisdictions with parks throughout the LA area, it is important to verify which jurisdiction oversees the park you are considering. If you are unsure who has oversight of a particular park property, we can help! FilmLA’s Solution Services team can assist you in researching the ownership of most park properties.
Reservation Process
A reservation is always required for use of LA City Park properties (whether for filming, base camp or crew parking). The minimum deadline for submitting reservations for LA City Parks is four (4) business days. Reservations can be made a maximum of thirty (30) days in advance. Typically, City Parks will allow a maximum of five (5) locations to be reserved over a consecutive two-week period.
To make a reservation, visit FilmLA's online reservation site.
A reservation is not a permit or permission to use the property.
After you make a reservation online, you will need to complete two additional steps for the reservation to be considered complete. (Please note, you will also need to apply for a valid filming permit in addition to making a reservation as outlined below under ‘Permit Application Process & Timing’)
- Fill out the PFO questionnaire. When you make a reservation online, you will get a confirmation email with a link to the PFO questionnaire. If you cannot find the link you can use this one to download the form: https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NEW_APP_PFO_4.2021.pdf
- Create a plot map of the area(s) intended for production use, then email the plot map with your questionnaire to the PFO for review: lacityparkfilmoffice@gmail.com.
Note: Additional steps pertain to Special Facilities. If you have requested a Special Facility, the PFO will give you further instructions after you have made the initial reservation.
Once all above steps are completed, you will work directly with the PFO to confirm availability and to work out any other reservation details.
Permit Application Process & Timing
You are responsible for applying for a permit with FilmLA via our online system MyFilmLA. The information on your permit application with FilmLA should match the information on your reservation with LA City Parks.
The deadline to submit your permit for LA City Park properties is 10:00 am, four (4) business days prior to your first activity date. We always recommend allowing additional time, especially for complex requests or exceptional activity.
Holidays may affect permit deadlines. Changes due to holidays will be posted on our website (www.filmla.com) and sent via a Production Alert, prior to the holiday.
Scouts & Walkthroughs
Park areas that are open to the public can normally be scouted without alerting the PFO. If you are unsure about an area, you can call the PFO at (323) 644-6220 to discuss.
While not normally required, a walkthrough may be necessary depending on your choice of location and complexity of activities. Once you have made a reservation you can discuss scheduling a walkthrough with the PFO directly.
Fees
There are additional fees for usage of all LA City Park properties. See our list of commonly assessed fees for the City of Los Angeles.
Use fees are waived for students and non-profit organizations. Fees for personnel are not waived.
Personnel
Park Monitors are required for filming at most LA City Parks. The PFO determines Park Monitor requirements based on your choice of location and filming activities. It is best to plan for a Park Monitor when budgeting for your LA City Park locations.
LA City Park Monitors do not have a required minimum number of hours, but an additional two (2) hours are required as a reporting fee.
Other Police or Fire personnel could be required depending on your specific location and filming activities.
Cancelations with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a two (2) hour minimum fee for each Park Monitor staffed.
Weekend Filming
LA City Parks typically do not allow filming on weekends. Exceptions might be made for low impact shoots with ten (10) or fewer people. Questions about filming on weekends may be directed to the PFO at (323) 644-6220.
Special Facilities
Special Facilities are park locations under the control of third-party operators that have additional layers of oversight including additional filming requirements and unique fees paid directly to the facility. The PFO does not assess the standard Rec and Parks Film Use Fee for special facilities, but instead assesses a lower cost Special Facility Service Fee. Besides the Special Facility Service Fee, FilmLA does not collect any use fees for these properties. Production will work directly with the special facility and the PFO to determine what additional fees will be assessed.
Questions
If you have additional questions about the permit process for LA City Parks not answered in this article, please reach out to FilmLA's Solution Services team for more information. Questions about an existing reservation may directed to the PFO at (323) 644-6220.