GATEWAY CITIES
Filming in the Gateway Cities of Los Angeles County is an increasingly attractive option for productions. Some cities, including Bellflower, Downey, and Long Beach, offer diverse locations and a streamlined permitting process.
GATEWAY CITIES
Film Locations Guide
The Gateway Region offers a wide array of settings, from industrial areas and waterfronts to classic suburban neighborhoods. The variety of options can stand in for many different locations and settings. For example, the Port of Long Beach, with its bustling docks and cargo ships, offers a unique backdrop.
Filming in the Gateway Cites
The Gateway Cities region of Los Angeles County is served by a mix of local film offices and the regional agency FilmLA, which manages permits for many of the area’s municipalities. Cities like Long Beach, Compton, and Commerce each have their own permitting offices with specific requirements, including advance application deadlines, liability insurance, and neighborhood notifications. Long Beach processes film permits through its Special Events and Filming Office, typically requiring at least three business days’ notice. Compton’s Business and Licensing Unit requires two weeks for public property filming and five days for private property, along with deposits and community notifications.
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 and County 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 for more information.
City Of Long Beach
The city has a dedicated Office of Special Events and Filming and tailored, low-cost permits for film, TV, and commercials.
Long Beach Film Permit Office
Research Fees, Timelines, Requirements & Restrictions
ARTESIA (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
BELL GARDENS (12)
Basic App Fee: $165
Allow at least (12) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
CERRITOS (5)
Basic App Fee: $300
Allow at least (5) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
CUDAHY (10)
Basic App Fee: $300
Allow at least (10) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
HUNTINGTON PARK (5)
Basic App Fee: $300
Allow at least (5) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
LAKEWOOD (5)
Basic App Fee: $903
(5) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
MAYWOOD (5)
Basic App Fee: $1,026
(5) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
SAN DIMAS
Contact Inland Empire Film Services about filming in San Dimas.
Film Permits
PARAMOUNT (10)
Basic App Fee: $1,296
(10) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
SIGNAL HILL (10)
Basic App Fee: $507
(10) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
WHITTIER
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BELL (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
CATALINA (10)
Basic App Fee: $957
Allow at least (10) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
♦COMPTON (3)
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
HAWAIIAN GARDENS (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 MIRADA (10)
Basic App Fee: $300
Allow at least (10) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
♦LYNWOOD (30)
Basic App Fee: $30
(30) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
♦NORWALK (2)
Basic App Fee: $100
(2) business days prior to start.
(4) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
SANTA FE SPRINGS (10)
Basic App Fee: $770
(10) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
♦VERNON (3)
Basic App Fee: $859
(2-3) business days prior to start.
(5) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
AVALON (7)
Basic App Fee: $344
Allow at least (7) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
BELLFLOWER (5)
Basic App Fee: $1,030
Allow at least (5) business days prior to start of filming.
Film Permits
♦COMMERCE (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
DOWNEY (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 BREA HEIGHTS (10)
Basic App Fee: $539
(10) business days prior to start.(15) for street closures, special effects or special police services.
Film Permits
LONG BEACH (5)
Basic App Fee: $488
(5) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
MONTEBELLO (5)
Basic App Fee: $500
(5) business days prior to start.
(10) for street closures, special effects or special police services.
Film Permits
PICO RIVERA (5)
Basic App Fee: $829
(5) business days prior to start.
(10) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Film Permits
SOUTH GATE (10)
Basic App Fee: $1,663
(10) business days prior to start.
Film Permits
Neighborhood-specific Requirements
*FilmLA Neighborhood Special Conditions.
Film Permit Jurisdictions
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.
(12) for requests involving freeway ramps and lane closures.
(16) for requests involving freeway closures.
CFC Film Permit Office
State Buildings & Facilities (4)
Basic App Fee: $0
*Buildings, and Facilities charge cost-recovery fees in order to accommodate filming.
(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 the building or facility before applying.
CFC Film Permit Office
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 Department of Parks and 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.
City of 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.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Filming on LADWP properties within the city, you must obtain your permit through FilmLA. This covers a wide range of locations, from modern to historical buildings, industrial settings, and reservoirs.
Los Angeles Unified School District (4)
Processing for a school license / permit requires a minimum of (4) full business days prior to the first activity date. This does not include the date of submission. Please be advised certain activities may require more advance notice.
FilmLA will help coordinate with the district to ensure you meet all specific requirements.
We are committed to keeping this resource current. If you notice any outdated information, please let us know here.
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