Brief

Councilmember Adrin Nazarian introduced a motion to create a free micro-shoot permit program that would waive or reduce fees for small independent filmmakers using Los Angeles public spaces. The motion, seconded by Bob Blumenfield, aims to support local creative workers and retain entertainment activity in the city. The Council adopted the motion 13-0-2 on March 4, 2026. The Board of Public Works has since submitted documents referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on Film, Entertainment, and Creative Industry for implementation details.

Full summary

Councilmember Adrin Nazarian moved to create a free micro-shoot permit program to lower barriers for small film productions using Los Angeles public spaces, part of a broader Keep Hollywood Home legislative push. The motion directed city departments to draft an ordinance establishing the permit for shoots meeting strict criteria: no more than 10 people on site, only handheld cameras or lightweight equipment, no blocking of more than half a sidewalk, full ADA access maintained, no generators or lighting rigs over 25 pounds, no traffic control or parking removal, and no drones, pyrotechnics, simulated weapons, or special effects. The permit would be free and required for any qualifying public-space filming activity meeting all those conditions. The motion passed the Economic Development and Jobs Committee on February 17, 2026, with community impact statements of support from the Los Feliz, NoHo, and Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Councils. The full Council adopted it 13-0-2 on March 4, 2026. The Board of Public Works, responding in August 2026, recommended that the city first evaluate the FilmLA Low Impact Permit Pilot Program — launched in April 2026 and scheduled to run six months with a three-month interim review — before moving forward with a separate micro-shoot ordinance. The board suggested the pilot's findings should inform the design of any additional permit tier. Partner agencies offered mixed but largely supportive feedback: LAPD called the proposal feasible but said clearer constraints are needed, pointing to New York City's streamlined Letter in Lieu of Permit as a model, and flagging unresolved issues such as restrictions on simulated criminal activity and police uniforms used by talent. LAFD said it is working on permitting language and noted that safety violations would disqualify a production from the low-impact permit category. FilmLA echoed LAPD's concerns and raised questions about City liability, insurance, administrative oversight, and cost recovery, warning that eliminating permit fees even for small shoots could intensify neighborhood complaints. LADOT said it had no concerns with the motion's intent. The Board of Public Works report, submitted for informational purposes only, was referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on Film, Entertainment, and Creative Industry on August 7, 2026, where the file currently sits pending. The ordinance has not yet been drafted, and the committee's next steps will likely depend on the outcome of the FilmLA pilot evaluation.

Activity (11)

• 2026-08-07 Board of Public Works document(s) referred to Ad Hoc Committee on Film, Entertainment, and Creative Industry.
• 2026-08-06 Document submitted by Board of Public Works, dated August 6, 2026.
• 2026-03-04 Council action final.
• 2026-03-04 Council adopted item forthwith.
• 2026-02-27 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on March 4, 2026.
• 2026-02-20 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council.
• 2026-02-17 Economic Development and Jobs Committee approved item(s) .
• 2026-02-17 Community Impact Statement submitted by NoHo Neighborhood Council.
• 2026-02-13 Economic Development and Jobs Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on February 17, 2026.
• 2026-02-12 Community Impact Statement submitted by Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council.
• 2025-12-12 Motion referred to Economic Development and Jobs Committee.

Documents (12)

• 2026-08-06 Report from Board of Public Works · report
• 2026-03-04 Council Action · council_action
• 2026-03-04 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-02-20 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council · cis
• 2026-02-17 Report from Economic Development and Jobs Committee · report
• 2026-02-17 Community Impact Statement submitted by NoHo Neighborhood Council · cis
• 2026-02-17 Communication(s) from Public · communication
• 2026-02-17 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-02-15 Communication(s) from Public · communication
• 2026-02-13 Communication(s) from Public · communication
• 2026-02-12 Community Impact Statement submitted by Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council · cis
• 2025-12-12 Motion · motion

Council votes (1)

• 2026-03-04 Vote — 13-0-2 · Regular