EMPLOYMENT ISSUES: LA City, County Seek to Streamline Film Permitting

Mayor Karen Bass displays an executive directive supporting local entertainment production jobs at the SAG-AFTRA Headquarters on May 20. (Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times)

In separate legislative and executive actions, the City and County of Los Angeles have committed to streamlining their respective film permitting processes, including reviewing opportunities for lowering permit costs and lessening the bureaucratic burden for on-location production.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass in May issued a new executive directive to support local film and TV jobs by making it easier for producers to shoot movies, television shows and commercials in the city. The directive lowers costs and streamlines city processes for on-location filming and increases access to iconic locations including the Central Library, Port of L.A. and Griffith Observatory.

The AICP is working with the Mayor’s Office of Film and Television Production to provide insight and feedback on the specific needs of commercial productions when it comes to on-location filmmaking. David Michael González, AICP Director of Labor & Government Relations, joined Mayor Bass and other industry leaders for her press conference announcing this executive directive.

L.A. City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian also authored a motion approved by the Council for city departments to review and overhaul their permitting processes.

“The City is taking bold action to support our legacy industry,” said Mayor Bass. “Keeping entertainment production in L.A. means keeping good-paying jobs in L.A., and that’s what we are fighting for.”

“We need to cut the red tape and roll out the red carpet for our film crews,” said Councilmember Nazarian. “That means lower fees, an end to price gouging, and expedited approval for film permits.”

The mayor’s directive orders City departments to, among other things:

• Lower costs and coordination time by reducing the number of City departmental staff who are assigned to monitor filming on set to one total City staff member, as City law allows. Current practices often require numerous staff to be onsite for a film shoot.
• Institute a proactive, film-friendly approach to communication between City departments and production, including the communication of upcoming infrastructure projects that could impact filming schedules.

In July, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion similarly aimed at cutting red tape, modernizing permitting processes, and exploring new investments to secure the region’s creative future.

Authored by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey P. Horvath, the motion directs the L.A. County Film Office to work collaboratively with key County departments to review current permitting policies and procedures with the goal of making filming in L.A. County more efficient, more affordable, and more competitive when compared to other leading production hubs.

“We’re taking action today to cut through outdated bureaucracy, invest in innovation, and make sure Los Angeles County remains the number one place to film and create,” said L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.

“As the creative capital of the world, Los Angeles County must lead with action,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “That’s why we’re investing in our quintessential industry. This is about protecting our creative workforce and ensuring the entertainment industry remains a cornerstone of our history—and our future.”

As the costs of doing business in L.A. continue to skyrocket alongside other pressures that push productions out of state, the AICP welcomes these announcements and looks forward to working closely with the Mayor’s Office, the City Council, the L.A. County Film Office, and other stakeholders to make Los Angeles a film-friendly environment. For questions or comments about this, please contact David Michael González, Director of Labor & Government Relations, davidg@aicp.com.