FilmLA and the city of Los Angeles announced Tuesday the launch of a pilot program aimed at lowering the cost of film permits for small-scale productions.
The Low Impact Permit Pilot Program, set to begin Monday, will allow filmmakers working on projects with minimal community impact to obtain city film permits at a reduced price.
FilmLA is the nonprofit film office for the city and county of Los Angeles and works with local jurisdictions to coordinate film permitting and production.
Officials said the program is intended to encourage on-location production by making permits more accessible and affordable, particularly for smaller productions with limited budgets.
The initiative is being funded through a public-private partnership, with FilmLA’s Board of Directors pledging to cover staff and technology costs for up to six months.
Officials said the city will also waive the Los Angeles Fire Department’s spot-check fee for qualifying projects.
Board of Public Works President and City Film Liaison Steve Kang said the program is aimed at lowering barriers for production.
“The City of Los Angeles, under the leadership of Mayor Karen Bass, is leaving no stone unturned in its commitment to support our signature entertainment industry,” Kang said.
“Improving affordability for filming in Los Angeles remains a top priority. … This pilot program goes beyond reducing permit costs. It serves as a real world test of practical reforms and a tiered pricing model designed to make Los Angeles more accessible and competitive for creators at every level,” he added.
Officials said the program will apply to productions that meet city-approved criteria for low-impact filming, which typically require less government review and no on-site public safety supervision.
“We believe that when community impact is small, regardless of the project type or production budget, the City and FilmLA review process should be simple,” FilmLA CEO Denise Gutches said. “With this pilot program, the City will offer low impact filmmakers full permit protections at the lowest possible cost.”
Officials said the city and FilmLA will use the pilot program to evaluate permit application volume, customer satisfaction and whether the reduced-cost model can be sustained beyond the initial six-month period.
The program is aligned with Bass’ Executive Directive 11, which aims to support and expand the region’s film and television production industry, officials said.
Additional details about eligibility, pricing and program requirements are available through FilmLA at info.filmla.com/general-information/low-impact-permit-pilot-program.