Free Permits, $1 City Spaces: Council Passes Motions Aimed at Film-Friendly Overhaul
Two measures win council approval
The Los Angeles City Council approved two motions on Wednesday as filming levels in the city continued to fall. Both were introduced by City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian. One motion creates free on-location permits for productions with 10 or fewer personnel. The measure is aimed at student filmmakers, documentary crews and ultra-low-budget projects.
The other makes city-owned parking lots, yards, civic properties and staging areas available to productions for $1 a day. Such spaces are commonly used for base camps, crew parking and other low-impact activities.
Film activity continues to decline
The approvals came less than a week after FilmLA reported another drop in film and television shoot days from June to September. The decline continued despite efforts by local and state officials to bring production back to the city. Shoot days were nearly five percent lower than in the same period in 2025 and 11 percent below the previous quarter, according to the report.
Officials point to broader reforms
California more than doubled annual funding for its film and television tax credit program in 2025, raising it from $330 million to $750 million. Mayor Karen Bass also issued an executive order that year to streamline the city’s permitting process.
Key points
- The Council approved free filming permits for productions with 10 or fewer personnel.
- Productions can use certain city-owned spaces for $1 a day.
- FilmLA reported shoot days were nearly five percent lower year over year.
- California expanded annual film and television tax-credit funding to $750 million in 2025.