L.A. Councilmembers Advance Proposals to Boost Filming Conditions

Motions to streamline permitting, reduce fees, and coordinate with neighboring cities pass key committee vote.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The L.A. City Council's Economic Development and Jobs Committee voted unanimously to advance a package of nine motions proposed by Councilmember Adrin Nazarian aimed at making the city more film-friendly. The proposals include a quicker certification process for soundstages, requiring city departments to report compliance with the mayor's filming executive order, an independent audit of the city's permitting, and coordinating permit regulations with neighboring jurisdictions. While most of the motions passed as proposed, some were amended, including reducing fees for parking and filming on city property to $1 and removing 'special conditions' for certain neighborhoods.

Why it matters

The 'Stay in L.A.' movement has been pushing for more production-friendly policies in the city, as the entertainment industry has faced challenges with rising costs and competition from other filming locations. These motions aim to address those concerns and make it easier for film, TV, and commercial productions to operate in Los Angeles.

The details

Nazarian's nine motions were approved by the committee, with some amendments. Key changes include streamlining police and fire department regulations, reducing fees for parking and filming on city properties to $1, and removing 'special conditions' for certain neighborhoods like Hancock Park and the Arts District. While most of the proposals passed, Nazarian said further discussions are needed on the neighborhood conditions amendment to ensure everyone is comfortable with the changes.

  • The Economic Development and Jobs Committee hearing took place on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The motions will now be considered by the full City Council as soon as later this month.

The players

Adrin Nazarian

A Los Angeles City Councilmember who proposed the nine motions to improve filming conditions in the city.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles who issued an executive order on filming that the motions require city departments to report compliance with.

Traci Park

A Los Angeles City Councilmember who expressed understanding of the challenges facing entertainment industry workers, as her partner is a member of the Editors Guild who hasn't worked in a while.

Motion Picture Association

A trade association that raised some specific concerns about the motions in a feedback letter to councilmembers, including not believing FilmLA needs an independent audit and seeking oversight for 'microshoots' to prevent issues for future productions.

Stay in L.A.

A grassroots movement that has organized since early 2025 in favor of more production-friendly policies in Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“We feel the pinch every single day. I feel your pain on this.”

— Traci Park, Los Angeles City Councilmember (The Hollywood Reporter)

What’s next

The motions will now be considered by the full Los Angeles City Council as soon as later this month. Councilmember Nazarian said he plans to have further discussions with those who raised concerns, such as the Motion Picture Association, to address any remaining issues before the full council vote.

The takeaway

These proposals represent a significant step forward in making Los Angeles more film-friendly and addressing the challenges the entertainment industry has faced in recent years, including rising costs and competition from other filming locations. If enacted, the changes could help keep more production work in the city and support the livelihoods of local industry workers.