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Board asks staff to study changes to county film permitting, including longer project windows
Summary
Supervisors voted unanimously to direct planning staff to study updates to the county’s film permitting rules — including longer discretionary permit windows and other procedural changes — aimed at attracting more long-term film and series production to Ventura County.
Ventura County supervisors unanimously approved a motion on June 24 directing the Resource Management Agency’s Planning Division to study amendments to the county’s film permitting ordinance and return with recommended code changes.
Supervisor Linda Parvin said the county risks losing productions because the current unincorporated‑area permit regime is “unpredictable” and rooted in a 1996 ordinance. Under the board instruction, staff will analyze a set of possible revisions including whether to lengthen the standard 90‑day discretionary permit window, provide clearer procedures for longer or multi‑season productions, and revise permit conditions to better balance protecting natural resources with attracting film projects.
Planning director Dave Ward told the board the film ordinance has not been updated since its 1996 adoption and supported a staff study. Ward said planners will work with industry stakeholders, cities, property owners and other public agencies to identify workable amendments and return with proposed ordinance language and implementation steps.
Supporters from the local film production community, location managers and the Simi Valley mayor told the board that series work and longer shoots prefer predictable, multi‑season approvals. Allied Studios and other local location providers said the 90‑day limit and uncertainty had forced productions to locate elsewhere despite available sites in Ventura County.
The board directed staff to develop a scope that will include outreach to economic development and arts/culture partners, and to return with a work plan and draft amendments. Supervisors said they wanted changes that preserve environmental and neighborhood protections while creating a clearer, faster path for longer, economically significant film projects.
Ending note: The county will begin stakeholder outreach and prepare a draft ordinance for future hearings; no immediate permit changes were adopted at the June 24 meeting.
