Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County is one of the top filming destinations thanks to its diverse landscapes, historic architecture, reliable weather, and unmatched production infrastructure.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Location Scouting Guide

With 88 cities and over 4,000 square miles of diverse terrain, Los Angeles County offers an unmatched variety of locations—from cityscapes and beaches to deserts, forests, and iconic neighborhoods. As the heart of the global entertainment industry, it provides top-tier studios, skilled crews, and a streamlined permitting process through FilmLA. Whether you’re producing a blockbuster or an indie film, LA County delivers the creative flexibility and professional support to bring any story to life.

Central
Los Angeles

KEEP FILMING IN LOS ANGELES

The Westside

Famous for its neighborhoods and beaches.

Santa Clarita Valley

Santa Clarita is very Film Friendly and has incentives for shows that film in the city for extended periods of time.

The Southbay

South Bay is famous for many beach communities.

San Fernando Valley

San Fernando Valley has many film friendly neighborhoods and business districts.

Film Permits In Los Angeles County

Filming in Los Angeles County requires navigating a complex network of permitting and regulatory requirements that vary by city. Each municipality may have its own rules regarding application deadlines, proof of insurance, and public notification procedures, with many coordinating through FilmLA. Fees also differ widely and can include charges for location use, public safety personnel, and various city services. The regulatory landscape is further complicated by the involvement of dozens of federal, state, and local agencies, along with hundreds of special districts that oversee water resources, land use, and infrastructure. This intricate system demands careful planning and coordination to ensure compliance and avoid delays.

Filming Incentives, Subsidies & Discounts.

County of Los Angeles

Currently, the County of Los Angeles does not have its own dedicated film incentive program. However, the area still benefits from the statewide California Film and Television Tax Credit Program.

FilmLA coordinates film permits for LA County Beaches, Parks and Roads. They act as a liaison with the Department of Beaches and Harbors, the Department of Recreation and Parks, and Los Angeles County Roads Department respectively, for film permit processing.

Visit FilmLA 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”.

Visit FilmLA or LocoScout for more information.

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.

Visit the California Film Commission for more information.

City of Santa Clarita

The Santa Clarita Film Office offers a three-part film incentive program.
Incentives include:
- Refunds or subsidies on basic permit fees for productions approved under the California Film & TV Tax Credit Program.
- Partial refunds on Transient Occupancy Taxes (hotel stays) for qualifying productions.

Visit the Santa Clarita Film Office for more information.

City Of Palmdale

Palmdale launched the Palmdale Film Incentive Program, designed to support filmmakers while showcasing the City’s rich legacy in the film industry. Whether you’re shooting a blockbuster feature, an exciting series or a dynamic commercial, they have two incredible ways to cut production costs.

Learn more by visiting the Palmdale Film Incentive Program Application Form.

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

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Department

The Port of Los Angeles will assess fees on Port properties not leased by outside entities.
The fees are charged per location, per day for uses such as: prep, strike, filming, crew parking, base camp, and still photos.
Additional fees may be assessed if services from other Port divisions are required, such as Port Police or maintenance crews.
If filming involves boats, barges, tugs, etc., daily dockage will be assessed per Tariff No. 4, Section Four, Item Nos. 400-480.
All filming and photography on Port property require per-approval from the Port’s Wharfinger Division.
A Film L.A. permit, approved by the Port of Los Angeles, is required before filming can begin.
Additional permits may be required depending on filming activities and locations within the Port.

Port Film Permits
Film LA Permit Office

LA County Beaches and Harbors (3)

(3) days notice is required for all Film Permit requests.

Film fees are determined by the extent of filming activities, which may require additional personnel fees from other departments or agencies whose approvals and involvement are required.

Film LA Permit Office
Beach Reservations

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.

MRCA Film Office

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.

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.

Permit Office

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.

FilmLA Reservations

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.

Recreation & Parks Reservations
Park Film Office

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).

Real Estate Division
Los Angeles District, USACE
915 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90017
Primary Contact: Lisa Sandoval (213) 452-3147
Secondary Contact: Lynette Ulloa (213) 452-3145

Los Angeles Department Of Water And Power

Basic App Fees: $931

Filming Fee Schedule

For LADWP locations within the City of Los Angeles or other areas are under the jurisdiction of FilmLA, film permits must be obtained through FilmLA, Inc.
For LADWP locations outside the City of Los Angeles that are not under FilmLA jurisdiction, please call (213) 367-0112 for film permit information.

Los Angeles Department Of Public Works

The Board of Public Works, through the Mayor’s Office of Television and Film, has a dedicated Motion Picture and Television Manager. She is the FilmLA Contract Administrator and works with a designated staff person responsible for film issues within each City Department. Eva may be contacted at Eva.Bitar@lacity.org or call her cell at 213-344-8498.