City Guide Filming in Topanga, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Application Fee - $795 valid for ten locations
- Student Permit Fee - $114 – for complex productions
- Student Permit Fee - $30 – for simple productions
- Notification Fee - $198
- Permit Rider Fee - $126
- FilmLA Monitor Fee - $37 per hour
- Fire Review Fee - $282 – for a cast and crew of fifteen
- Fire Safety Officer - $196.99 an hour for a minimum of four hours
- Fire Safety Advisor - $56.55 an hour for a minimum of four hours
Minimum Insurance
- General liability for filming
- Employee liability
- Watercraft liability
- Vehicle liability
- Aircraft liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Topanga
Topanga is an enclave tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area that has a long affinity with the film industry and filmmakers. While Topanga may have a population of well under ten thousand, it's a place that hosts its own unique, and very revered, film festival once a year.
The incredible mountainous landscapes of Topanga Canyon have often featured in major blockbusters when they called for a wilderness-type location that was close enough to Hollywood not to cripple a filming budget just to get a hiking shot.
The CA-27, Topanga Canyon Boulevard, which winds through the base of the canyon has been popular for road shoots that needed an isolated, in-the-middle-of-nowhere feel. Topanga Beach, unlike Malibu Beach, is a mile-long practically undeveloped stretch of sand and pebbles perfect for isolated surfing shots.
While the entire area is blessed with an inarguable natural beauty, Topanga has a tendency to attract the more macabre where life and filmmaking are concerned. Think Friday The 13th, The X Files, Mausoleum, and Charles Manson, and you'll be on the right track.
If you're considering Topanga as a shoot location for your next horror or outback-style production, make sure you're aware of the area's filming regulations and who you need to apply to for a filming permit before you set up. If you're still in the process of scouting out the ideal locations then take a look at what's available on Giggster. You'll be totally wowed by what you find.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Topanga?
Yes, you need a film permit for all commercial filming if you want to film in Topanga, in Lower Topanga Canyon, at Topanga Beach, and in Topanga State Park.
Non-Profit Organizations
If you're filming for a non-profit organization you may be eligible for reduced filming permit fees
Student Permits
There are special filming permit rates for students which you will have to pay depending on the size of your production. To obtain the student fee reduction you will be required to provide documentation from your college or place of education.
Beach Permits
Permits to film on beaches are issued separately from regular filming permits. Each beach in LA County has specific requirements for filming. You can find out the regulations and requirements for filming on Topanga Beach in the special requirements section below.
Special Effects Permit
If you're planning on using special effects during your shoot you will have to apply to the Los Angeles Fire Department for a special effects permit.
Maritime Permit
If you will be using a boat or creating special effects on the water or smoke on the beach then you will need to apply to the United States Coast Guard LA Sector for a permit.
Animal Exhibition Permit
If you have an animal, be it a dog, cat, horse or any other creature, involved in your filming process you will be required to apply to the Department of Animal Care and Control for an Animal Exhibition Permit.
Permit Management in Topanga
FilmLA & CSP
In general, the management of film permits for Topanga is handled by FilmLA who also cover the majority of other cities in the Los Angeles County area.
There are two zones of Topanga that, if you want to film there, you will be required to apply for additional permits. They are Topanga Beach and Topanga State Park.
FilmLA deals with the additional permit required for filming at Topanga Beach. To film at any location within the boundaries of Topanga State Park you will need a regular filming permit plus an additional one obtained by contacting the Filming Coordination Office of the California State Parks (CSP). Each application is treated individually and is dealt with by the relevant CSP Filming Coordinator. Filming locations such as Lower Topanga Canyon which was used in the X Files falls under the jurisdiction of California State Parks.
While you will be able to get a general idea of costs for a Topanga filming permit from the FilmLA website and also below in the cost section of this article, the figures should be used as a guideline only.
Final permit fees will depend on the size of your production, the amount of time it takes you to shoot, and any extra charges your project may incur. All costs and fees have to be paid before a film permit can be issued.
In some cases, it's possible that FilmLA will request you to pay estimated costs so the issue of your permit isn't unduly delayed. Positive or negative amounts to the estimated fees are adjusted once filming has finished.
What Insurance Do I Need in Topanga?
To film in Topanga, and to be able to acquire the correct filming permit, you will be required to have at least the minimum liability coverage requested by FilmLA.
Occasionally a production may require a different insurance liability coverage. If you're unsure exactly what type and limits of insurance your production requires, the best thing to do is consult with FilmLA's specialist insurance officer. They will also be able to point you in the right direction for reputable entertainment insurance brokers who will be able to issue you with the correct coverage and certificate for your needs.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Topanga?
Some of the most outstanding filming locations available in Topanga are the ones created by Mother Nature herself. If you're searching for somewhere where you can film shots without any urbanization in sight, you'll find them in Topanga State Park.
Topanga State Park covers around eleven and a half thousand acres of territory where the only human you're likely to come across will be mowing their lawn in one of the border communities or hiking down one of the thirty-six miles of dusty trails. Up on the ridgeline is the spot where you'll get a backdrop of hills, the Santa Monica Mountains, and views of the Pacific Ocean. There are woodlands of bay laurel, oak, and walnut too that are ideal for a spooky in-the-trees scene, fire roads for mountain biking action, equestrian trails, and even a waterfall hidden away at the end of one of the ravines.
Topanga Beach is one of the few beaches on this stretch of California coastline that is relatively undeveloped. There you'll have a mile's worth of pebbly beach curving around a shallow bay perfect for fishing shots, surfing, and windsurfing. It's not so great for romantic strolls as the actors are likely to twist their ankles on the shingle if they don't look where they're going.
The community of Topanga had a reputation for being Bohemian in the past, and in some parts it still is, so if you're searching for a hippy-style yurt you're in the right place. If you need a log cabin in the woods, a hut for a recluse or a Japanese tea house, Topanga will fulfill your needs. There are bungalows with ocean views, forest views, and pool views. Restaurants by the seafront, ranches with several acres of grounds, and even a coffee shop with sunset views to die for. What you won't find in Topanga are skyscrapers - you'll have to go back to LA for one of those.
Special Requirements in Topanga
Permit Requirements
A filming permit is required for all on-location shoots in any unincorporated area including Topanga, in LA County. You must apply for a filming permit at least three working days in advance of your proposed start date for filming. Permits for complicated productions may take longer to process so don't leave applying until the last minute.
Filming Outside Of Permitted Hours
When you want to film outside of the regular permitted filming hours which are from seven in the morning to ten at night, you may be required to conduct a neighborhood survey before your permit can be issued. The survey gives the chance for residents and businesses to air their concerns about your activities before you start filming. While there may be no bad reaction to the film shoot going ahead, you’ll still need to prove to FilmLA that the survey has been conducted correctly.
Topanga Beach
Filming on Topanga Beach is limited to production shoots with a cast and crew of no more than fifteen members in total. Permits for filming on Topanga Beach are only issued after the Department of Beaches and Harbors has liaised with FilmLA to ensure all aspects of the proposed production falls within the stated guidelines.
Use of the beach must be reserved before shooting can begin, but no beach can be reserved until you've been issued with a filming permit. If you're filming scenes in the water you may be required to have a lifeguard present during the shoot. Fees for a lifeguard are charged by the hour and must be paid before the shoot begins.
The shoot vehicles won't be allowed to use the beach's lower parking lot or be left anywhere near the access road. That could turn out to be an inconvenience if you have heavy equipment. You can't use a motorized vehicle to get your gear to the filming spot so everything you need has to be carried in. The one parking lot you will be allowed to use has to be vacated by dusk. If you're going to be filming later than that you'll be required to have a parking attendant on site. The cost of a parking attendant is charged to the production company.
The special requirements for filming in Topanga are the same as the standard special requirements for filming in general in Los Angeles County. The one exception where there are additional special requirements is for Topanga Beach.
What Does it Cost to Film in Topanga?
Filming in Topanga carries the same basic costs as filming in most other locations within the jurisdiction of FilmLA in LA County. That said though, it does depend greatly on the type of production you are hoping to film as more complex operations usually incur extra costs that are not included in the basic film permit fees. When you begin your film permit application with FilmLA you will be assigned a Production Coordinator who will assist you through the process and advise you when necessary. There may be occasions on the shoot, depending on the production, when you will be required to have a FilmLA monitor on site. A monitor's presence is charged by the hour to the production company and as with all other fees, must be paid in full before filming begins.
Additional Fees
Getting information from local authorities, production service providers, or film commissions in Topanga or the broader Los Angeles region is crucial to obtaining precise details regarding the expenses and prerequisites for your filming endeavor. Moreover, enlisting the expertise of a seasoned production manager or coordinator familiar with filming in Topanga can streamline the procedures and provide a more precise estimation of the associated expenses.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Topanga?
Topanga is an unincorporated community that occupies around nineteen square miles of the western region of Los Angeles County. Topographically, this wedge-shaped territory has its wider eastern border inland backed up against the Santa Monica Mountains while its western reach stretches down to California's Pacific coast. Lower Topanga, the area where Topanga Beach is located, is bordered to the east by the Will Rogers State Beach and the city of Pacific Palisades. To the west of Topanga Beach is the Tuna Canyon Park and the further reaches of Eastern Malibu. The community of Topanga itself is around five miles inland from the coast along the CA-27, Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The CA-27 snakes its way along the canyon floor passing the community of Fernwood before it enters into Topanga State Park where Topanga is located. Topanga itself is a relatively widespread community with many of the private homes being located in isolated mountainous locations. The enclave of Topanga is bordered to the northwest by the Red Rock Canyon Mountains Recreation Area, to the due north by the Summit Valley Edward D. Edelman Park, and to the northeast by the community of Santa Maria where the Vanalden Cave is located. Malibu If you find your shooting locations have drifted into an area that is classed as Malibu then this is no longer a zone that is under the jurisdiction of FilmLA. To obtain a film permit to shoot in Malibu you will need to contact the City of Malibu Film Office and continue the application procedure through there. Pacific Palisades When your filming locations stretch into Pacific Palisades you won't require an additional film permit as this zone falls under the jurisdiction of FilmLA and will be classed as one of your ten locations on the filming permit. Your FilmLA Project Coordinator will advise you if Pacific Palisades has any special requirements you need to comply with. Culver City If you decide to change locations and head inland to Culver City then you'll find FilmLA will be by your side the whole way, but you'll also need to apply for some additional filming permits from the Culver City Police Department or the Culver City Parks Department depending on where you plan to film. Tip: You could easily spend your whole life applying for film permits of one sort or another in Culver City so if you can find a comparable location somewhere else with less bureaucracy, go for it. You'll save yourself time and money in the long run.
Outreach in Topanga
One of the bonuses of filming in Topanga is that FilmLA will handle the notifications required to advise people in the neighborhood that filming will be taking place. The one setback with this is that most homes and commercial enterprises in Topanga, unless they're on the beach front, are pretty widespread. Depending on the affability of FilmLA this procedure could end up costing you more than their basic notification system for a three-hundred-foot radius does, as they'll have a much wider area to cover.
If you're going to be shooting a small production on Topanga Beach then there are homes and businesses there that will need to be aware of your activities. It's a spot where people like their peace and quiet so filming has to stop by dusk. Continue filming after the light starts to fade and you could find yourself having to answer to not just FilmLA, but to the Department of Beaches and Harbors too. Cause a disturbance or drive your vehicles over the beach when you're packing up and you could find your permit has been revoked.
Community Management in Topanga
No, you won't need to let the bears, coyotes, or eagles inhabiting the ridgeline in the Topanga State Park know you're going to be filming there for a couple of days. For one they don't read and two, littering, even in the name of film production, is strictly prohibited so forget stapling notifications to the trees. It's good to be aware there is wildlife out there though and to be on your guard during the shoot process.
The people you will need to liaise with are the park rangers who will be watching you closely to make sure what you pack in and pack out. They'll also be checking you're following all the safety guidelines for filming in a remote location like Topanga Canyon so basically, if you're not accustomed to wilderness locations, you'll need them on your side.
In this type of location, the one thing that's likely to upset residents is if you're filming after dark. Yes, you may have applied for permission, but having noisy generators running spotlights that illuminate half of Topanga Canyon isn't going to go down well with anyone.
If that's the case for you then you should consider employing a Community Liaison Officer. Having someone on hand to divert and calm any upset resident who might come marching onto your set in the middle of a scene can only be beneficial. If your shoot is trouble-free, you can always keep them busy by getting them to waft away any moths or mosquitos attracted by the lights.
Conclusion
There's no debating that using Topanga as a filming location will add something extra special to your scenes. The wildness of Topanga Canyon, the Santa Monica Mountains, and those views of the Pacific Ocean are incomparable backgrounds for any type of action shot. There are incredible wooden huts in forest locations in Topanga that make ideal sets for creepy horror movies or even spy thriller hideaways. You will need to plan carefully though, especially if you don't want to get caught out in the dark. Stay up in the hills too long and you could be starring in your own scary movie where the howling of the coyotes isn't just a sound effect in the script.