For

Communities

Keeping Los Angeles Film Friendly

Greater Los Angeles remains the film, television and commercial production capital of the world, rightly celebrated for its creative workforce and unique collection of filming locations.

Many of these locations are found in neighborhoods where Angelenos live and work. That’s why we believe all filming should be conducted with professionalism, courtesy and respect for the community.

In addition to coordinating film permits, FilmLA works closely with public authorities to keep filming in your community safe and legal. Over the years, we’ve introduced multiple programs to enhance and support the on-location filmmaking process. Our Community Relations programs exist to make sure local residents and businesses are informed, heard, and considered.

Learn About Filming in Your Community

Working with FilmLA has been an incredibly smooth and professional experience from start to finish. Their team is knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely committed to supporting the creative process. Navigating permits and logistics can often be a challenge, but FilmLA makes it easy with their clear communication and helpful guidance. We’re grateful for their partnership and look forward to working with them again!

Daniel Alvarez

Key Assistant Location Manager

A recent project required filming a residential cul de sac with 2 of the 6 nights having a semi-automatic gun battle which advanced from rooftop to rooftop and from backyard to backyard. The cul de sac was abandoned in the storyline, which necessitated removal of all of the residents’ cars from their 25 driveways as well as the street. Early on FilmLA worked closely with our team to assess feasibility and coordinate the surveying of the impacted residents. We collaborated with FilmLA to successfully and safely execute our stunt driving and set lighting in the neighborhood. The neighborhood was pleased with their foray in “Hollywood”. Thanks FilmLA for your help and support!!

Paul Schreiber

Location Manager

Film LA has been a great ally in helping to work out complicated situations with many film jurisdictions over the years. They are always looking to support productions to ensure we can keep filming in Southern California, and as a Location Manager I am very grateful for their continued efforts in many communities all across the Southland. It’s empowering to know that Film LA is there to help work through difficult to navigate situations, while ensuring that community voices are uplifted and heard.

David Flannery

Location Manager, Shrinking

Filming Rules and Regulations

Commercial film production is legal in your community with a government film permit. By applying for a permit, filmmakers can secure a limited legal right to use private and public property for filming, including permission to park production vehicles and equipment on public streets.

The rules for on-location filming are similar across all City and County jurisdictions served by FilmLA. Specific requirements unique to each jurisdiction can be found under Area Requirements in our Knowledge Base, including Area Special Conditions that apply specifically to filming in certain neighborhoods.

Every permit coordinated by FilmLA includes a 20-point Filmmakers Code of Professional Responsibility. Poor crew conduct should be reported to FilmLA during production, so problems can be fixed right away.

Standard Film Activites

Local authorities will generally approve film permits within the following guidelines. These guidelines can be exceeded (see Conditional Film Activities) after circulating a Community Filming Survey to collect feedback about the proposed shoot.

Standard Hours: In residential areas, Standard Filming Hours during Monday to Friday are from 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM. On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Firearms & Special Effects: The brandishing or discharge of prop weapons and pyrotechnic effects does not require a survey during standard filming hours, however it does require a broadened Notification radius and a police officer to be present during filming.
Stunts & Precision Driving: This activity does not require a survey during standard filming hours, unless public streets must be closed to accommodate this activity safely.
Aerial Filming Activity: The use of helicopters, drones, or other aircraft for filming purposes does not require a survey during standard filming hours, however it may require a Uniformed Fire Safety Officer (UFSO) or traffic officer to be present, for safety reasons.
Intermittent Traffic Control: Vehicle traffic can be held for up to two minutes with the aid of uniformed traffic officers. Film crews are not permitted to direct traffic.
Production Vehicle Parking: Filmmakers may reserve posted, “no parking” areas for use by commercial production vehicles. Production vehicles may only be parked along the curb on one side of the street, however public parking on both sides of the street may be restricted for safety and clearance.

Conditional Film Activities

Because some filming activities are more impactful, local authorities will generally approve them only after the satisfactory completion of a Community Filming Survey.

Late Hours: A survey is required for all activity performed outside of standard filming hours, whether for filming or setup.
Road Closures: A survey is required for all bi-directional or single direction closure of public roads for filming purposes.
Extended Production Parking: A survey may be needed if an exceptional amount of posted production vehicle parking is needed for a safe and successful shoot.
Extended Duration: A survey may be required for filming lasting more than five days at one location, or in the areas where filming frequency is a concern.

Community FAQs

How Do I Obtain a Copy of the Film Permit?

Most of the information contained within the film permit also appears on FilmLA’s official Notice of Filming. A physical copy of the film permit must also be present on-location during filming and presented for public inspection upon request.
What If I See Filming Happening Without a Permit?
If you see filming happening without receiving a Notice of Filming, there is a good chance the activity is unpermitted. Inform FilmLA right away if you see unpermitted filming, and we will assist you in reporting it to local authorities. Filming without a permit is illegal, and depending on what is involved, potentially dangerous. See this article for more information on identifying illegal filming.
How Do I Offer My Home or Property for Filming?
Hosting productions at your home or place of business can be a fun and rewarding experience. The California Film Commission publishes “how to” guides for those looking to become film hosts. In L.A., there are several companies (generally known as “Location Services”) prepared to help you promote your properties for filming, for a fee. A list of Location Services can be found on the CFC’s website.

Outreach & Education Program

FilmLA’s Outreach and Education Team is active on the ground in communities where filming occurs. Charged with gathering location intelligence, resolving filming concerns, and establishing relationships with community leaders and organizations, these FilmLA team members are a regular presence in Los Angeles communities.

In addition, the Outreach team oversees FilmLA’s many campaigns to promote the film industry’s contributions to Greater Los Angeles.

Meet Our Outreach Team

FilmLA Outreach team at a community event

Notification Program

FilmLA’s Neighborhood Notification service informs nearby residents and businesses of an upcoming film shoot by distributing Notices of Filming in person and by email. This service, a contractual requirement by our client jurisdictions, is paid for by production companies, and helps filmmakers maintain positive relationships with the neighborhoods where they film.

Once the film permit details are finalized, FilmLA works quickly to deliver Notices, usually about two business days in advance, so the community knows what to expect. Notices include filming dates and times, scene descriptions, parking plans, and contact numbers for questions or concerns.

Electronic notification is also available in select areas, making it easier to reach the community and keep filming welcome in Los Angeles.

Learn more about this Innovation

Monitor Program

FilmLA created the Monitoring Program to respond to community concerns with high-impact, on-location filming. Monitors help keep popular Los Angeles filming locations available for filming.

FilmLA Monitors are assigned to sensitive filming locations to provide film production companies and community members with continuous third-party support throughout the filming day. This service, when determined to be necessary by local permit authorities, is paid for by film production companies.

During a typical day, Monitors will work to make sure filmmakers work within the terms of their permits. They also troubleshoot issues involving loading, unloading and proper placement of production vehicles and equipment. At day’s end, their final responsibility is to make sure that sure the neighborhood is as clean as it was before the film crew arrived.

When necessary, Monitors will also assist FilmLA Production Coordinators in applying and communicating changes and/or extensions to active film permits.

Learn more about this Innovation

Community Filming Surveys

Community Filming Surveys are sometimes required in advance of filming by local government authorities. Filming Surveys are a helpful tool in determining community support for more impactful filming activities. Obtaining advance feedback from those most directly impacted by such filming activity allows productions to attempt to mitigate concerns leading to a more positive filming experience for all.

Unlike other community relations programs, Community Filming Surveys are not performed by FilmLA personnel. When FilmLA determines that a survey must be performed, responsibility for going door-to-door to share filming plans and understand neighborhood concerns is handled directly by filmmaker representatives. Filmmakers must complete a Filming Survey and make a reasonable effort to address any concerns it uncovers before their film permit can be released.

Importantly, the Filming Survey is not a request for permission to film. These surveys are purely an information gathering tool, which FilmLA and local permit authorities use to gauge neighborhood concerns. Not all filming activity requires a filming survey; and for those shoots that do, community participation is strictly voluntary.

Please see our Knowledge Base for details on how to conduct Community Filming Surveys.

Visit Knowledge Base for More info

Survey FAQs

How Many Positive Survey Responses are Required for Filming to Proceed?
In most areas served by FilmLA, the Filming Survey is an information gathering tool, and not a request for permission to film. FilmLA and local permit authorities use survey feedback to gauge neighborhood concerns with proposed activity. Not all filming activity requires a filming survey; for those shoots that do, community participation is strictly voluntary. For additional requirements per city, please visit our Knowledge Base for Area Requirements.
Why Did My Neighbor Receive a Survey but I Did Not?
There are several reasons this can happen, and we invite you to contact FilmLA to discuss your specific circumstances. Filming surveys are always conducted within a specific radius, depending on the planned activity. If you live outside of this radius, you might not receive a survey invitation. Also, if you live within the radius in a multi-tenant building, your on-site building manager might have completed the survey for you. Even if you did not receive a filming survey, you are always encouraged to share thoughts about upcoming filming with FilmLA.