Sometimes, when filming in the City of Los Angeles, a single, static location just won’t cut it. You might need b-roll, driving shots, walk and talks, etc. Or maybe you are filming a reality show and don’t know exactly where the scene will take you from moment to moment. If this is the case, you may be able to use a “Grid Location” to legally get the film permit you need.

At its most basic, a Grid Location is a dedicated area of the city, with boundaries made up of four intersecting streets, in which a production is permitted to film, subject to certain limits.

Whether your activity takes place on foot or behind the wheel, you can apply for a Grid Location if your plans fit the established criteria.

Grids are meant for small crews (15 people or fewer and/or 5 or less vehicles if you plan to have driving scenes). The activity must be exterior only, with minimal community impact (so no high impact activity such as special effects, drone use, or precision driving please!)

Crews filming with Grids are not permitted to stop or set up in any one location for more than two hours. All equipment must be hand-held and the public right of way must be maintained at all times.

For driving scenes, a camera may be placed on a tripod to capture quick drive by shots, however large equipment such as dolly tracks or jib arms are not allowed. Additionally, while capturing the shot, all vehicles must be street legal, and all traffic laws must be obeyed. Use of large-scale cameras for driving activity (example: Russian arm, process trailer) requires assignment of safety personnel.