In the City of Los Angeles, a film permit is not required while filming in a "certified studio"--that is, while filming in any of the three (3) areas defined in Chapter 48, Section 4801.3, of the LA Fire Code that have been approved by the LAFD Film Unit:
- APPROVED PRODUCTION FACILITY: An existing building, or portion of a building, or a group of buildings altered for use by the entertainment industry for the purpose of motion picture, television and commercial production.
- PRODUCTION STUDIO: A building, portion of a building, or a group of buildings designed and constructed for use by the entertainment industry for the purpose of motion picture, television and commercial production.
- SOUND STAGE: A building or portion of a building usually insulated from outside noise and natural light for use by the entertainment industry for the purpose of motion picture, television and commercial production.
*PLEASE NOTE: The phrase "certified studio" does not exist in the LA Fire Code, but is commonly utilized by members of the film industry to indicate any of three areas defined above that have received final approval from the LAFD Film Unit.
Also, it should be noted that the ability to film in an "approved production facility", "production studio" or "sound stage" without a film permit does not negate any of the other ancillary permits which may be required during filming (e.g. special effects permits, tent permits, hot work/welding permits, special permits, etc.) If you have any questions regarding permitting requirements the LAFD Film Unit can be reached at lafdfilm@lacity.org or 213.978.3670 for guidance.
The following table lists the production studios, approved production facilities and sound stages that have received LAFD Film Unit approval to operate without requiring film permits:
| Ana Special Effects | 7021 N Havenhurst Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406 |
| Avenue Six Studios | 7900 Haskell Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406 |
| Ben Kitay Studios | 1015 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90038 |
| Ben Kitay Studios | 1050-1054 N Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038 |
| Ben Kitay Studios | 1060 Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038 |
| Ben Kitay Studios | 6309 W Eleanor Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038 |
| Crimson Studios | 9640 Owensmouth, Chatsworth, CA 91311 |
| DATG - It's A Laugh Productions | 3030 Andrita Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065 |
| Delfino Studios | 12501 Gladstone Avenue, Sylmar, CA 91342 |
| Illuminate Studio Production Services | 10900 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 |
| Jim Henson Studios | 1416 N La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028 |
| KMEX | 5999 W Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045 |
| KTTV Fox Studios | 1999 S Bundy Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90025 |
| L.A. Center Studios | 450 S Bixel, Los Angeles, CA 90013 |
| Lacy St Production Center | 2630 N Lacy St, Los Angeles, CA 90031 |
| Line 204 Studios | 800 Seward Street, Los Angeles, CA 90038 |
| Line 204 Studios | 1043 Seward Street, Los Angeles, CA 90038 |
| Mack-Sinnet Studios | 1215 Bates Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 |
| Meruelo Media Studios | 4975 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019 |
| Minassian Productions Inc | 5301 Exchange St, Los Angeles, CA 90039 |
| NBCUniversal | 111 E Universal Hollywood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068 |
| NBCUniversal | 3773 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068 |
| NBCUniversal | 3775 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068 |
| NBCUniversal | 3777 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068 |
| NBCUniversal | 3779 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068 |
| NBCUniversal | 4048 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91604 |
| NBCUniversal | 4050 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91604 |
| Nike | 5860 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016 |
| NYA Studios | 1541 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 |
| Occidental Studios, Inc. | 201 N Occidental Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 |
| Occidental Studios, Inc. | 221 N Occidental Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 |
| Paramount Studios | 5555 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA 90038 |
| Pollution Studios LLC | 1539 S Grande Vista Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90023 |
| Prospect Studios | 4151 Prospect Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 |
| Quixote Studios | 1005 N Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038 |
| Quixote Studios | 4585 W Electronics Place, Los Angeles, CA 90039 |
| Quixote Studios | 10445 Glen Oaks, Pacoima, CA 91331 |
| Quixote Studios | 12154 Montague St, Pacoima, CA 91331 |
| Quixote Studios | 13927 W Saticoy St, Van Nuys, CA 91402 |
| Radford Studio Center | 4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604 |
| Raleigh Saticoy Studios | 16829 W Saticoy St, Van Nuys, CA 91406 |
| Raleigh Studios | 5300 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 |
| Red Studios | 846 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90038 |
| Riot Games | 12312 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 |
| Scientology | 4401 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 |
| Showbiz Studios | 15521-15541 W Lanark St, Van Nuys, CA 91406 |
| Siren Studios | 6069 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 |
| Stage This | 11273 Goss St, Sun Valley, CA 91352 |
| Steelhead TV | 12901 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066 |
| Sunset Bronson Studios | 5800 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 |
| Sunset Gower Studios | 1438 N Gower St, Hollywood, CA 90028 |
| Sunset Las Palmas Studios | 1040 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 |
| Television City Studios | 7800 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 |
| Twentieth Century Fox Studios | 10201 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 |
| Youtube Space L.A | 12422 Bluff Creek Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90094 |
*List current as of July 18, 2023, and shall be updated regularly.
BECOMING AN APPROVED PRODUCTION FACILITY / PRODUCTION STUDIO / SOUND STAGE
Simply naming a facility an "approved production facility", "production studio" or "sound stage", neither supersedes nor negates a film permit requirement. Approval from the LAFD Film Unit is required to confirm compliance with all relevant LA Fire Code regulations, particularly those outlined in Chapter 48. The process of becoming an "approved production facility", "production studio" or "sound stage", as defined in Chapter 48 of the Fire Code typically begins with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety and concludes with the LAFD Film Unit. The Los Angeles Business Portal - Studio Concierge Services, is a great place to start for guidance.
LA Dept. of Building & Safety (LADBS) - A certificate of occupancy with either a Group A-1 or Group F-1 occupancy classification from LADBS shall be obtained.
LAFD Fire Development Services (LAFD FDS) - LAFD FDS handles fire and life safety oversight of the facility construction/renovation, and is charged with approving the fire protection systems put in place.
LAFD Film Unit - In addition to any LADBS or LAFD FDS requirements, every "approved production facility", "production studio" or "sound stage" shall adhere to all applicable LA Fire Code Chapter 48 requirements including, but not limited to, the following:
- Occupancy Classification (LA Fire Code 4802.1 & 4802.2) – The building occupancy classification shall be either Group A-1 or Group F-1.
- Decorative Materials (LA Fire Code 4804.9) – Drapes, drops, cut greens, etc., shall meet the flame retardant requirements of California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapters 5 and 8, Sections 807.5.1.5 and 807.5.7.
- Electrical (LA Fire Code 4808.2) – The approved production studio shall be provided with "a minimum of 35 watts per square foot" (Documentation from LADBS may be required.)
- Exit Doors (LA Fire Code 4804.4) – Exit doors shall be equipped with panic hardware and swing in the direction of exit travel.
- Exit Illumination (LA Fire Code 4804.6) – Exit illumination shall be provided in accordance with the California Building Code. In the event of power failure, exit path illumination shall be automatically provided by an approved emergency back-up system.
- Exit Obstructions (LA Fire Code 4804.7) – All means of egress shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 10, Section 1005.1.
- Exit Signs (LA Fire Code 4804.5) – Illuminated exit signs shall be installed in accordance with the California Building Code.
- Fire Alarm Control Units (LA Fire Code 4806.1) – A Fire alarm control units shall be California State Fire Marshal listed and shall be utilized in accordance with their listing.
- Foam Plastics (LA Fire Code 4804.8) – All foam plastics shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 807.5.1.5 and 807.5.7.
- Interior Fire Lane (aka 4 FT PERIMETER - Fire Code 4804.2) – Aisles. Perimeter aisles within the sound stage and approved production facility shall be provided. Aisles required by this section shall have a minimum width of 4 feet (1219 mm). Aisles required by this section shall have a minimum clear unobstructed height of 7 feet (2134 mm).
- Solid-Ceiling Sets & Platforms (LA Fire Code 4805.3) – All interior solid ceiling sets over 600 square feet (55.7 m2) in area, and platforms (when provided) over 600 square feet (55.7 m2) in area and which exceed 3 feet (914 mm) in height shall be protected by one of the following (1) heat detectors, (2) fly the ceiling, (3) approved fire watch.
- Sprinklers (LA Fire Code 4805.2) – All new sound stages shall be equipped with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. The system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 9 and shall meet the minimum design requirements of an Extra Hazard, Group 2 system and documentation from LADBS (or approved by LADBS) shall be provided.
- Travel Distance to Exit (LA Fire Code 4804.3) – The maximum travel distance to any exit within the sound stage and approved production facility shall be 150 feet (45 720 mm).
Once the building has been issued the appropriate certificate of occupancy from LADBS, final approval shall be obtained from the LAFD Film Unit. The LAFD Film Unit can be reached at 213.978.3670 or lafdfilm@lacity.org for further guidance.
LINKS
- Los Angeles Business Portal - Studio Concierge Services (LADBS)
- California Film Commission
- Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
- Office of the State Fire Marshal Motion Picture & Entertainment Unit
CONTACT
213.978.3670
lafdfilm@lacity.org