San Fernando Valley
“The San Fernando Valley is widely recognized as a prime filming destination, particularly for its residential neighborhoods and city streets, which provide authentic backdrops for a variety of productions.”
San Fernando Valley Film Locations Guide
“The San Fernando Valley is famous for filming in communities such as Burbank, Studio City, Encino, Sherman Oaks, and many others, offering a wide range of authentic residential and urban backdrops for productions. In unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, permits are also issued through FilmLA but may require additional coordination with county departments.”
Film Permit Offices In
The San Fernando Valley
“Most areas of the Valley, including neighborhoods within the City of Los Angeles, are handled by FilmLA, which oversees permits for city-managed streets, parks, and public spaces. However, several independent cities within the Valley, such as Burbank and Glendale, maintain their own film permit offices with separate application processes, fee structures, and requirements. Burbank, home to major studios like Warner Bros. and Disney, has a dedicated office that coordinates closely with productions filming on studio lots and in surrounding neighborhoods. Glendale manages permits for its city streets, parks, and civic areas, offering filmmakers access to both modern and historic backdrops.”
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
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.
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.
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.
City Film Permit Offices
BURBANK (5)
Basic App Fee: $398
(5) business days prior to start of filming.
(10) for requests involving ITC and other departments.
GLENDALE (3)
Basic App Fee: $931
(3) business days prior to start.
(5) for requests involving public right-of-way.
SAN FERNANDO (3)
Basic App Fee: $931
(3) business days prior to start.
(5) for requests involving public right-of-way.
CALABASAS (3)
Film Permit Cost: $675
Allow at least (3-5) business days prior to start of filming.
(10) days to reserve Public right-of-way, and Parks and Recreation Facilities .
LOS ANGELES (3)
Film Permit Cost: $931
(3) business days prior to start.
(5) for requests involving public right-of-way.
Neighborhood-specific Requirements
*Links to FilmLA reports.
The Valley
The Valley Streets
