City Council unanimously adopts motion to streamline permitting and help keep film production in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion to speed up film permitting, expand access to city-owned property for shoots and reduce costs that officials and labor representatives said are pushing production out of the city.

"This motion is focused on revitalizing local filming production, streamlining the city's permitting process, making it more efficient and less bogged down by bureaucracy," said Councilmember Nazarian during the floor discussion. The council adopted the item as amended by a Padilla-Nazarian amendment.

Why this matters: Film and television production supports thousands of local jobs in Los Angeles and generates spending that local officials say helps pay for public services. Council members and union leaders argued that costly, slow permitting and fee structures have encouraged productions to move to other states and countries.

Council members across the political spectrum praised the motion and attendees from local unions and guilds urged approval. Martin Weeks, president of IATSE Local 728, said on the council floor: "Any headwinds for production is causing production to leave Los Angeles and it's causing our members to lose their jobs and have a lack of work."

Representatives from Teamsters Local 399, IATSE locals and craft unions also urged an "aye" vote. Greg Zikowski, a member of the Directors Guild of America, told the council the motion gives Los Angeles a chance "to get ahead" and remain competitive.

Council members framed the move as part of a broader effort to retain and grow middle-class jobs tied to filming. "We have to fix that. We have to get serious about making sure that production stays in Los Angeles," Councilmember Raman said.

Vote and outcome: The council voted 15-0 to adopt the motion as amended.

Next steps: The motion asks city departments to report back with recommendations to streamline permitting, reduce fee-related barriers and increase access to city-owned property for productions. Councilmembers said they would continue coordination with labor and industry groups while Sacramento works on state-level tax credits.

Ending: Labor and industry representatives who spoke at City Hall said they will continue working with the city to implement the changes and try to bring productions back to Los Angeles.