Los Angeles is one of the world's premier filming destinations, and productions regularly make use of County roads, streets, and public spaces. When filming or photography takes place in the right-of-way, an encroachment permit is often required.
When Filming Requires a Permit
Any filming, photography, or video production that involves setting up equipment, blocking traffic, using lighting rigs, or staging crew and vehicles in the County Right-of-Way in Los Angeles requires coordination with the County and likely an encroachment permit.
What's Covered
Filming permit coverage includes the placement of cameras and lighting equipment, parking of production vehicles, temporary lane closures or traffic direction, use of public areas for staging or crew activities, and other occupations of the right-of-way during production.
Planning Ahead
Production schedules are often tight, so planning the permit process well in advance is important. Permit lead times can vary, and some locations may require coordination with multiple County departments or other agencies to ensure all requirements are met.
Coordination With Other Permits
In some cases, filming in the right-of-way may require multiple permits — for example, if lane closures, equipment storage on the street, or use of certain County facilities is involved. We can help identify all required permits for your production.