In a unanimous vote, the Los Angeles City Council Wednesday approved a package of legislation designed to cut red tape and make film and television production easier in the city.
Council members backed a total of seven motions, which Councilman Adrin Nazarian introduced in December 2025 as part of his so-called “Keep Hollywood Home” initiative. The motions are expected to build on an executive order Mayor Karen Bass issued last year to make it easier for productions to film at iconic locations such as Griffith Observatory and the Central Library, as well as to lower fees and streamline film permits.
The councilman emphasized his initiative was the result of 13 meetings with labor organizations and 10 meetings with city departments.
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“The package before you is not symbolic. It’s not theoretical, and it’s not aspirational,” Nazarian said. “It is targeted, practical reforms built from lived experience, and it is ready to effectuate change.”
With approval of the motions, the council instructed staff to begin the following work:
— Develop a contract with neighboring film jurisdictions in partnership with FilmLA, the official film office of the city and county, which aims to improve regional competitiveness, workforce development and production retention;
— Streamline filming permits and standardize notification, survey and monitoring requirements;
— Fast-track certification of soundstages and other film-related infrastructure in the city;
— Require reports from city departments on their efforts to comply with the mayor’s executive order on the subject of supporting the film industry;
— Develop a “fan tour” and a “Made in LA” brand initiative;
— Request the city controller to conduct an audit of the city’s film permitting process and to provide recommendations to reduce barriers and overall improve the system; and
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— Direct the City Attorney’s Office to draft a free “micro-shoot permit,” allowing filming activity in any public space as long as the work meets certain criteria.
Nazarian said other major filming jurisdictions have modernized their permitting systems and LA must do the same.
Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who supported the motions, raised concerns about how potentially standardizing notification, survey and monitoring requirements could negatively impact her 14th District, encompassing downtown and northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods.
While she more than welcomes film and TV production in her district, Jurado said small businesses can be harmed if they are not warned ahead of time about street closures, in particular during peak holiday times.
“This can be so detrimental to a fragile recovering downtown L.A., and our goal is to show that L.A. is open for businesses, but when streets and parking are inaccessible, customers take their business elsewhere,” Jurado said.
Nazarian assured Jurado officials would work to address those concerns.
“Downtown L.A. is apparently the most filmed neighborhood in the world, so it’s really important that we do the work to keep it that way,” Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said.
Prior to the vote, entertainment, film and television workers filled the Council Chamber and gave public comments supporting Nazarian’s initiative.
James Babbin, a resident of Sherman Oaks and owner of Barnegat Light Productions, expressed his appreciation for the councilman’s efforts.
“Our systems just simply haven’t kept pace with a rapidly changing industry, and efficiency and cost competitiveness are operational necessities,” Babbin said.
“… The entertainment industry is the heartbeat of our city, and by approving these motions, (we) make sure that heart beats for years to come,” Babbin said.
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