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.
This article is a roll-up of application information available elsewhere in the FilmLA Knowledge Base. It addresses some of the most common questions asked by permit applicants while working in the MyFilmLA system.
HOW APPLICATION FEES WORK
FilmLA currently offers 2 permit tiers which determine your application pricing and also where you can film, what activities you can add to your permit, how long your permit lasts and how many locations you can have.
- Standard Tier: One Standard Tier Application Fee allows up to five (5) production (filming) locations within seven (7) consecutive days. Exceptions are made for Reality show projects.
- Low Impact Tier: This option is currently available only in the City of Los Angeles. One Low Impact Tier Application Fee allows up to three (3) production locations within three (3) consecutive days (no exceptions). Additional restrictions pertain to productions using this tier.
Before proceeding, ensure you are familiar with the Low Impact Program criteria. See the following article in our Knowledge Base for details.
Once you have selected the Low Impact Tier, you cannot switch to the Standard Permit Tier without restarting with a new application.
After submitting your first location and paying the Application Fee (aka “App Fee”), you will be able to enter additional location(s) without being charged an additional App Fee, as long as the locations meet the following criteria:
- All locations added after your App Fee is paid must fit within the permit window (7-day for Standard Tier, 3-day for Low Impact Tier). Locations that do not fit within the window will incur a new App Fee.
- Filming location total is no more than the maximum allowed (5-locations for the Standard Tier, and 3-locations for Low Impact Tier). Base Camp and Crew Parking locations do not count toward your limit, but they must fall within the permit window (7-day for Standard Tier, 3-day window for Low Impact Tier).
- No new locations can be added after your first location associated with your App Fee is released. Any new Production Locations will need to be processed as a separate permit and will incur a new App Fee.
For more information on FilmLA App Fees see this article.
Additional Fees: Additional jurisdictional fees for use of City or County property may be incurred depending upon your locations and filming activity. Additional fees include but are not limited to: required notification of filming, fees for use of posted “no parking” signs, and/or fees for lane/street closures, when requested. For more information on specific jurisdiction-mandated fees refer to our Filming Related Fees section in the Knowledge Base.
Students: To qualify for student permit rates, the student must be currently enrolled in an accredited school, and the project must be specifically for course credit (not to be used outside of school). Documentation (e.g. the “student letter”) must be received by FilmLA by the permit deadline. For more information see our Knowledge Base article on the Student Permit Process.
DEADLINES & TURNAROUND TIME
Late locations cannot be processed, and the app fee will not be refunded.
Permit processing cannot be expedited. Regardless of size, type, and scope, all applications require the same review and internal/external coordination process between jurisdiction departments.
The minimum application deadlines reflect the fastest possible turnaround time as established by the jurisdictions that FilmLA serves. Processing times vary based on activity and jurisdiction:
- Basic permits require 3-7 business days to process depending on jurisdiction and complexity.
- High impact activity (street closures, gunfire, special effects, etc.) or locations outside the City of Los Angeles may need 5 to 10 business days. For more details on jurisdiction requirements refer to our Area Requirements section in the Knowledge Base.
- Public school district locations require a minimum of 5 business days to process. Contact schools@filmla.com for more information in advance of your permit submission if you are unclear on your deadline to submit. Certain school districts outside of FilmLA’s areas of service require a dual permit with their respective cities in addition to the FilmLA processed license agreement.
Contact Solution Services at 213.977.8600 or info@filmla.com if you are unclear about the timelines that apply in your specific situation.
PAYMENTS & REFUNDS
The App Fee must be fully paid to advance to the review and assignment stage. Unpaid app fees are in a draft state and are not accessible for FilmLA to process.
Payments can be made with a US or international credit card (additional processing fees apply).
Your permit App Fee is non-refundable.
- You are responsible for meeting the minimum timeframe required prior to submission and payment. Deadlines for submission vary by jurisdiction and requested film activities.
- Rescheduling policy: With the understanding that unforeseen circumstances arise (force majeure) FilmLA allows a 30-day grace period to apply the App Fee toward a future permit request if scheduled within 30 days of initial permit application’s first activity date. You must work with your FilmLA production coordinator for rescheduling details.
- App Fees are not refunded in the event of your elective permit cancelation.