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DEEGAN ON LA—-There was a time before Hollywood was discovered by early film pioneers when every filmmaker went it alone. Eventually, production soared and the moniker “Hollywood” exploded. Now, Hollywood is pleading for help.
The grassroots movement Stay In LA was activated right after the January 7 Palisades and Eaton with a shared mission to keep film, television, and commercial production—and the thousands of jobs and local businesses it supports—in Los Angeles.
These activist industry reps aren’t from the high-level studio executive and producer ranks, but everyday workers dependent on Hollywood work for a living. They are going to the everyday legislative decision makers with their petition for help.
In the past twelve months, STAYinLA says they have met with “more than 60 legislators at the state, county, city, and town levels — advocating for incentives and policies that protect jobs, support small businesses, and keep film, television, and commercial production thriving in Los Angeles”.
What they want is for it to be easier to shoot in LA. Some of the barriers that need to be overcome include streamlining the permitting process.
The creative economy that is getting hurt includes:
• local dry cleaners that handle costumes
• Restaurants that cater to crews
• hardware stores that provide materials
• barbershops
• florists
• countless small businesses
• filmmakers
• show runners
• crew members
• actors
• industry partners
It’s a good model for grassroots activism. Backdropping it with the massive and tragic fires, on the heels of a labor strike, adds emotion and gravitas. A whole industry could burn to the ground without substantial relief to keep Hollywood busy.
Noelle Stehman, a show runner and director and co-founder of STAYinLA, told City Watch that “Our most current pressing initiative (since the summer) has been working with local government and stakeholders on the critically needed local permit reform, on the city and county level. LA is supposedly the film capital of the world, but our permit system is the most expensive and most difficult to use, and we are losing entertainment jobs in record numbers. Change is needed immediately”.
Critical votes by the City Council are imminent. There is a bundle of 9 “Keep Hollywood Home” motions in various stages of city council committee review and heading toward a vote on February 17.
Councilmember Adrin Nazarian at CD2 introduced the 9 motions (seconded by various City Council Districts), and Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky at CD5 started the CD5 Entertainment Advisory Group to work on non-duplicative, additive companion initiatives. (Both with the input and support of STAYinLA as well as City Departments and other local stakeholders.)
Together, these motions reduce costs, speed up approvals, Increase transparency, support workers and small businesses and keep production — and jobs — in LA.
The details of this package of motions are:
1. Citywide Filming Rules (No More Patchwork) (#25-1509)
Eliminates outdated, neighborhood-specific filming restrictions and replaces them with one unified, citywide framework. It standardizes notification rules, removes unnecessary signature surveys, limits when police, fire, or monitors can be required, and creates a formal appeals process overseen by Public Works.
Action: Rescinds legacy rules, orders departments to align, and publishes everything in a single City Filming Handbook.
2. $1 City Lots & Facilities (#25-1508)
Requires City departments to make most non-specialized parking lots, yards, and staging areas available to productions for $1/day, unless exclusive use, staffing, or safety concerns apply. Departments must update fee schedules and add underused properties to FilmLA’s location system.
Action: Immediate fee reduction + tracking usage to support permanent adoption.
3. Fire & Police Fee + Enforcement Reform (#25-1499)
Waives fire “spot check” fees when a Fire Safety Officer is already assigned or when no inspection occurs. Directs LAPD and the City Attorney to enforce lawful filming protections, address illegal disruptions, and educate the public that productions are not required to make “inconvenience payments.”
Action: Fee reform, enforcement guidance, public education, and new lower-cost civilian safety roles.
4. Made in LA Branding, Tours & Business Directory (#25-1501)
Creates a City-supported film branding initiative, including a public filming-location tour, optional plaques or QR markers, a “Made in LA” label productions can use, and a searchable directory of LA-based film vendors and facilities.
Action: Launches public-facing tools that promote LA’s film economy and drive local spending.
5. Executive Directive 11 Accountability (#25-1502)
Requires all relevant departments to report how they’ve implemented the Mayor’s directive to speed up filming permits, including internal guidance, staffing changes, timelines, and performance metrics.
Action: Produces a consolidated, citywide implementation report to identify gaps and bottlenecks.
6. Free Micro-Shoot Permits (#25-1498)
Creates a free, fast permit for very small productions with minimal equipment that don’t block sidewalks, require public safety staffing, or disrupt neighborhoods. Permits require only basic registration and are designed for rapid approval.
Action: Lowers barriers while keeping the City informed about filming activity.
7. Independent Audit of the Film Permitting System (#25-1500)
Requests a full City Controller audit of departmental operations and FilmLA’s contract, including staffing levels, delays, technology systems, fees, and public transparency.
Action: Delivers data-driven recommendations and an annual “Keep Hollywood Home” progress report.
8. Regional Filming Agreements (#25-1512)
Directs the City to negotiate MOUs with neighboring jurisdictions to align filming rules, facility access, workforce programs, and stage development strategies across the region.
Action: Reduces friction for productions working across city lines.
9. Soundstage Certification & Fast-Track Development (#25-1503)
Creates a standardized “Certified LA Stage” program with clear safety and infrastructure criteria, guaranteed timelines for approvals, and fast-track zones for stage development and adaptive reuse — tied to worker health coverage requirements.
Action: Accelerates long-term production infrastructure while protecting labor standards.
Everyone, not just the film community, that values having Hollywood strong can help make sure the 9 Motions pass by either:
- Joining STAYinLA at the EDJ Committee (Economic Development and Jobs Committee) meeting at City Hall on Tuesday Feb 17th @ 2pm.
- Writing public comment in support of the motions (the link will be available on the Stay instagram. @stayinla2025 the week of the meeting - once it's agendized by City Council and a link is provided).
- Writing to your City Councilmember and the Mayor to let them know you support these 9 Motions.
(Tim Deegan is a longtime civic activist and columnist whose Deegan on LA feature has been a staple of CityWatchLA for over a decade. With a focus on Los Angeles city politics and neighborhood issues, Deegan brings thoughtful analysis and grassroots perspective to every column. His work highlights the voices of local communities and the impact of City Hall decisions on everyday Angelenos. He can be reached at [email protected].)
