The city of Los Angeles and its partner film office will extend a pilot program through April 2027 to reduce permit costs for television, film, and other productions, it was announced Monday.
Film LA, the film office for the city and county of Los Angeles, announced Monday it will continue accepting applications without interruption for its Low Impact Permit Pilot Program. Operation of the pilot program was slated to be complete by Oct. 31.
Through the program, filmmakers can apply for Low Impact permits via the MyFilmLA online permit application portal for the following:
The permit would be available for up to three filming locations over three consecutive days within the city’s jurisdiction, and with no more than 30 cast and crew on set.
During the pilot’s first six months, from April 27 through Oct. 31, FilmLA issued 422 Low Impact permits, which officials say saved hundreds of filmmakers more than $400,000 in combined fees compared with standard permit pricing.
With the extension, FilmLA officials say the pilot program provides continuity while the city reviews other permitting approaches. In the meantime, FilmLA will gather more data from the pilot, which it was designed to produce, as well as information regarding permit application volume, customer satisfaction and how well the eligibility rules work in practice.
The pilot program is a public/private partnership between the city and FilmLA. The film office’s Board of Directors funded staff and technology costs for the pilot’s first six months and will continue to financially support the program through the extension.
“In April, we said 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 in a statement. “More than 400 Low Impact permits later, the pilot has shown that it can meet that goal. Extending the pilot keeps the program open while we gather feedback from filmmakers and report back to the City.”
The program is open to any production that meets its low impact criteria. It’s aimed to support small, mostly independent productions, according to FilmLA. Officials say the pilot has helped a greater share of online content and short films, music videos, still photography, documentaries, scripted features, commercials and television projects.
“On an independent production, every line of the budget determines what makes it to the screen,” Larry Loaboe, executive director of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, a nonprofit that showcases the work of independent and emerging filmmakers, said in a statement. “Lower permit costs for small shoots lets more filmmakers work on location in Los Angeles with the full protection of a permit.”
More information regarding eligibility rules, including types of locations and filming activities covered, are available at info.filmla.com. FilmLA’s production and community affairs team can also be reached at 213-977-8600.
The pilot program is a separate endeavor from the city’s proposed no-cost micro shoot permit, which was approved by the City Council in October. The proposed permit is being handled by relevant departments for finalization.
