Location Permits: Castaic vs Los Angeles
How do location permits rules compare between Castaic, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
Castaic and Los Angeles have similar restriction levels.
Castaic, CA
Los Angeles County
FilmLA, the nonprofit film office, issues location permits for unincorporated LA County under Title 22.140 plus 31+ contracted cities. Permits run $795 base plus daily site fees, certificates of insurance, and notification of impacted neighbors.
View full Castaic rules →Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
All commercial on-location filming in the City of Los Angeles requires a temporary use permit administered by FilmLA under LAMC §42.15 and LAAC §22.350. Applications must be submitted via MyFilmLA by 10 AM at least 3 full business days before the first activity date. High-impact activities (stunts, closures, aerial work) require 4-7 business days lead time. Insurance must be on file with both the City and FilmLA.
View full Los Angeles rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castaic | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Permit issuer | FilmLA on behalf of county | - |
| Base fee | $795 application | - |
| Insurance | $1M general liability minimum | - |
| Authority | LA County Code §22.140 | - |
| Coverage | Unincorporated plus 31+ cities | - |
| Code | - | LAMC §42.15, LAAC §22.350 |
| Coordinator | - | FilmLA |
| Lead Time | - | 3 full business days min. |
| High-Impact | - | 4-7 business days |
| Submission | - | MyFilmLA by 10 AM |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castaic FAQ
Do I need a permit on private property?
Generally yes for commercial production due to neighbor impacts, even on private land. FilmLA permits cover crew parking, generators, and lighting that affects public ROW. Strictly interior, low-impact shoots may qualify for streamlined approvals.
Are there exempt productions?
News crews, family vacation videos, student academic projects (with student permit), and small still-photo shoots can qualify for exempt status. Documentary work requires standard permits. Studio backlots maintain blanket clearances.
How long does a permit take?
Standard FilmLA processing is four full business days. Rush service in 48 hours costs an extra fee. Projects with extensive monitoring needs (street closures, large pyrotechnics) may need two weeks plus city council reviews.
Los Angeles FAQ
Do I need a permit to film in Los Angeles?
Yes. All commercial filming on public or private property in the City of LA requires a permit through FilmLA. Applications must be submitted via MyFilmLA at least 3 full business days before the shoot date.
How long does it take to get a film permit in LA?
Standard permits require a minimum of 3 full business days of processing. High-impact activities like stunts, special effects, gunfire, aerial work, or street closures need 4-7 business days of lead time.
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