Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
FilmLA Extends Discounted Permits for Small Productions Through April 2027
FilmLA, the film office for Los Angeles city and county, extended its Low Impact Permit pilot through April 2027.
The program offers qualifying small productions lower fees for filming in Los Angeles, including a $350 application fee instead of $931 for a standard permit.
It covers up to three locations over three consecutive days, with no more than 30 cast and crew on set.
Since the pilot began in April, FilmLA has issued more than 400 permits, and officials say the savings have exceeded $400,000.
The extension keeps permit costs lower while the city reviews other ways to handle filming permits.
The pilot is separate from a proposed no-cost micro shoot permit approved by the City Council in October, which is still being finalized.
FilmLA has extended its Low Impact Permit Pilot Program through April 30, allowing qualifying small productions to keep applying for lower-cost permits.
The program offers reduced application and notification fees and waives a spot check fee.
During its first six months, FilmLA issued 422 permits and said the program saved filmmakers more than $400,000 in combined fees.
The permits cover up to three filming locations over three consecutive days, with no more than 30 cast and crew on set.
The pilot is separate from a proposed no-cost micro shoot permit approved by the Los Angeles City Council in October.
- Who
- FilmLA, the film office for the city and county of Los Angeles, is extending the pilot program for qualifying productions.
- What
- The Low Impact Permit Pilot Program will continue accepting applications for lower-cost filming permits.
- When
- The extension runs through April 30. Deadline says the pilot will continue through April 2027.
- Where
- Within the City of Los Angeles’ jurisdiction.
- Why
- The extension provides continuity while the city reviews other permitting approaches and lets qualifying productions continue saving on permit costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The pilot’s first six-month period began.
The pilot’s original operating period was slated to end, after FilmLA had issued 422 Low Impact permits during its first six months.
Variety reported that FilmLA had extended the program through April 30.
Deadline reported that the City of Los Angeles and FilmLA would continue the pilot through April 2027.
- Application fee
- $350, compared with $931 for a standard film permit
- Notification fee
- $156 per location, compared with $232
- Spot check fee
- $285 fee waived
- Permit limit
- Up to three locations over three consecutive days, with no more than 30 cast and crew
- Permits issued
- 422 during the first six months, from April 27 through Oct. 31
- Reported savings
- More than $400,000 in combined fees compared with standard permit pricing
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What people are saying
Our independent and small productions are essential to our creative economy and we’re seeing success in our efforts to ensure productions of all sizes can succeed right here in Los Angeles
I’m proud that we’ve saved local productions more than $400,000 by lowering permit costs and cutting red tape.