SAN GABRIEL VALLEY
The San Gabriel Valley offers a wide range of filming locations, from historic small towns and vibrant suburban neighborhoods to scenic mountain backdrops and urban corridors.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY
Location Resource Guide
The San Gabriel Valley is a premier filming destination because it offers “Anywhere, USA” suburban streets alongside unique historical sites like the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. Production teams favor the area for its diverse architecture—ranging from South Pasadena’s Victorian homes to San Marino’s grand estates—and its proximity to the rugged San Gabriel Mountains.
Filming in San Gabriel Valley
Filming in San Gabriel Valley requires navigating each city’s specific permit and regulatory requirements, including application deadlines, insurance, and public notification procedures. Fees can vary widely, often including charges for public safety personnel and location usage. Depending on the city, applications may need to be submitted anywhere from 2 to 10 business days in advance, with additional fees for expedited processing, special effects and use of city property or resources.
Research Incentives, Subsidies & Discounts
State of CALIFORNIA
The State of California offers Free film permits for all California State properties. No location fees for filming on state-owned land (e.g., freeways, roads, beaches, parks, buildings, and facilities). Monitor reimbursement is typically required, even though permits and locations are free.
The California Film Commission (CFC) oversees the process and provides centralized support for all State Properties.
The (CFC) works in coordination with over 55 regional film offices across the state to ensure smooth and efficient filming logistics.
The Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) is a professional association made up of these film commissions and offices, all dedicated to promoting filming throughout California. FLICS members offer free assistance to productions, providing support with locations, permits, local resources, and regional expertise to help filmmakers navigate the process and successfully shoot across the state.
The State of California provides a film and television Tax Credit Program with a current annual allocation of $750 million. This program offers tax credits to offset qualified production expenses, encouraging film and television productions to shoot in California. The credits can be applied towards any tax liabilities within the state.
Learn more by visiting the California Film Commission for more information.
City of LOS ANGELES
FilmLA, a non-profit organization, serves as the official film office for the City of Los Angeles and an increasing number of other local municipalities in Greater Los Angeles.
FilmLA has agreements with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to make some off-street parking lots available for free to productions with a film permit.
FilmLA manages LocoScout an exclusive online location database featuring Los Angeles City and County public properties.
Free use of City-owned locations for filming in the City of Los Angeles. (Includes iconic spots like Los Angeles City Hall — a city permit is still required to film on City property.
Utility Nodes that Provide Affordable, Clean Electricity: Three utility nodes have been installed to provide affordable, clean electricity to film productions as a substitute for diesel generators. Nodes are available at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park, City Hall in Downtown Los Angeles, and at the DWP John Ferraro Building. Please contact FilmL.A. to learn how you can use this service. The City has installed these utility nodes in an effort to provide a clean and quiet energy source as a substitute for diesel generators, which generate exhaust and noise pollution.
Active citations for Filming Without a Permit and Intentionally Disrupting a Permitted Film Shoot:
The Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance that revised section 41.20 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to make it a misdemeanor offense for production companies to film without a permit or engage in activities not covered by their permits. It also introduced consequences for those who would intentionally disrupt a duly-permitted film shoot or other special event. Read FilmL.A.’s article, “LAPD Using Expanded Film Permit Enforcement Powers”.
Learn more by visiting the Office of Citywide Filming, and FilmLA for more information.
Research Fees, Timelines, Requirements & Restrictions
San Gabriel Valley consists of 31 incorporated cities, each with its own permitting timelines, requirements, and restrictions that are constantly changing.
♦ Cities that require 3 days or less to process basic film permits.
ALHAMBRA (5)
Basic App Fee: $650
Allow at least (5) business days prior to start of filming. (6) if Stunts are involved, and (10) public right-of-way, and road closures.
Film Permits
BALDWIN PARK (12)
Basic App Fee: $165
Allow at least (12) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
COVINA (5)
Basic App Fee: $300
Allow at least (5) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
EL MONTE (10)
Basic App Fee: $300
Allow at least (10) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
♦INDUSTRY (3)
Basic App Fee: $931
(3) business days prior to start.
(5) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
Jurisdiction Fees
Municipal Filming Fees List
LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE (5)
Basic App Fee: $300
Allow at least (5) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
MONROVIA (5)
Basic App Fee: $903
(5) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
PASADENA (5)
Basic App Fee: $1,026
(5) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
SAN DIMAS
Contact Inland Empire Film Services about filming fees and requirements in San Dimas.
Film Permits
SIERRA MADRE (10)
Basic App Fee: $1,296
(10) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
ARCADIA (7)
Basic App Fee: $344
Allow at least (7) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
BRADBURY (5)
Basic App Fee: $1,030
Allow at least (5) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
♦DIAMOND BAR (3)
Basic App Fee: $931
(3) business days prior to start.
(5) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
Jurisdiction Fees
Municipal Filming Fees List
GLENDORA (5)
Basic App Fee: $750
Allow at least (5) business days prior to start of filming. (8) for street closures, special effects or special police services.
Film Permits
LA PUENTE (10)
Basic App Fee: $539
(10) business days prior to start.(15) for street closures, special effects or special police services.
Film Permits
MONTEBELLO (5)
Basic App Fee: $488
(5) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
POMONA (5)
Basic App Fee: $500
(5) business days prior to start.
(10) for street closures, special effects or special police services.
Film Permits
SAN GABRIEL (5)
Basic App Fee: $829
(5) business days prior to start.
(10) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
SOUTH EL MONTE (10)
Basic App Fee: $1,663
(10) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
TEMPLE CITY (10)
Basic App Fee: $507
(10) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
AZUSA (7)
Basic App Fee: $581
Allow at least (7) business days prior to start of filming. (14) if public right-of-way, and road closures are needed.
Film Permits
CLAREMONT (10)
Basic App Fee: $957
Allow at least (10) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
♦DUARTE (2)
Basic App Fee: $1,300
Allow at least (2-3) business days prior to start of filming. (5-7) if public right-of-way, and road closures are needed.
Film Permits
IRWINDALE (5)
If less than (5) business days the permit fee is $1500 + $400=$1900. $400 if submitted within (10) days or more. If less than 10 business days the permit fee is $750 + the $400=$1150.
Film Permits
LA VERNE (10)
Basic App Fee: $300
Allow at least (10) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
♦MONTEREY PARK (3)
Basic App Fee: $931
(3) business days prior to start.
(5) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
Jurisdiction Fees
Municipal Filming Fees List
♦ROSEMEAD (2)
Basic App Fee: $100
(2) business days prior to start.
(4) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
SAN MARINO (10)
Basic App Fee: $770
(10) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
♦SOUTH PASADENA (3)
Basic App Fee: $859
(2-3) business days prior to start.
(5) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
WEST COVINA (10)
Basic App Fee: $950
(10) business days prior to start.
(20) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
Neighborhood-Specific Requirements
Area Requirements FilmLA
Film Permit Jurisdictions
Angeles National Forest (20)
Basic App Fee: 1-10 persons $325.79/day, 11-30 persons $434.36/day, 31-60 persons $1,085.94/day, Greater than 61 persons $1,307.28/day.
Public law allows the Forest Service to collect two types of fees for commercial filming or photography activities – a use fee and a “cost recovery” fee.
The use fee is based upon: the number of days filming or photography activities take place; the size of the film/photography crew; and/or the amount and type of equipment present.
The cost recovery fee covers the administrative and personnel costs associated with issuing the permit.
Caltrans Highways & Freeways (4)
Basic App Fee: $0
*Caltrans does charge a review fee, as well as an inspection fee for complex requests.
(4) business days prior to start.
(15) for requests involving freeway ramps and lane closures.
(15-30) for requests involving road closures.
CFC Film Permit Office
California Highway Patrol - Media Relations
Officer Jon Dockweiler
CHP Media Relations Officer
Type of monitor determined by CHP Liaison.
CHP Monitor Fees
California State Fire Marshal - Motion Picture / Entertainment Unit
Vijay Mepani
Deputy State Fire Marshal
vijay.mepani@fire.ca.gov
Deputy State Fire Marshal
Cal State Fire
Cal State Parks & Beaches (4)
Basic App Fee: $0
(4) business days prior to start of prep or shoot.
*Certain activities and locations require a much longer lead time and coordination with additional state departments.
Contact Lorna Leslie -Southern CA State Parks Permits lorna.leslie@film.ca.gov
CFC Film Permit Office
Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (3)
Basic App Fee: $931.00
Wrap/Clean-up days: $150/day/park
Equipment base camp: $450/day/park
Crew Parking: $100/day/park (1-15 vehicles), $300/day/park (16+ vehicles)
There are 437 parks and 184 recreation centers that the Department manages. There is a power node
located at Griffith Park in the Upper Old Zoo area. Although each park and facility is unique, the step to filming or photography activities is the same.
LA County Fire Department
The Public Safety & Film Unit reviews applications for filming permits, commercial still photography, annual fuel truck inspection and special effects permits. The Public Safety and Film Unit sets requirements and may conduct inspections at filming locations to ensure public safety and compliance with the Fire Code.
LA County Parks & Recreation
All filming at County parks, other than non-commercial photos such as among family members, require a film permit issued by Film LA Inc., the entity authorized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to process film permits for all County operated facilities. This also includes film projects by students and non-profit organizations.
LA County Libraries (15)
The LA County Library offers a variety of locations for filming and photography with 86 library locations throughout Los Angeles County.
Film at LA County Library
Watershed Conservation Authority
The WCA manages diverse properties throughout a large territory, from the San Gabriel Mountains to the ocean. Many of these locations offer unique and picturesque sites that may be available for personal and commercial projects. Some locations are remote, and may not be readily accessible without permissions.
Mountians Recreation & Conservation Authority (5)
At least one week prior is standard, but applications are accepted within three business days of a shoot for +$336 upon approval. The MRCA Film Office issues filming and photography permits for all parkland managed by the MRCA. This includes open space as well as developed parkland and the Mulholland Overlooks.
Fees are unique to the size and activities of each production. Contact the MRCA for more details.
US Army Corps of Engineers (30)
Basic App Fee: Non-refundable deposit fee of ($750)
- In general, filming is not permitted on Corps-owned property during the rainy season of October 15-April 15, due to safety concerns.
- All permit applications must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the requested film date(s).
We are committed to keeping this resource current. If you notice any outdated information, please let us know here.
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