City Guide Filming in West Hills, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Permit application fee - $863 per permit.
- Non-profits - $69 per adjustment.
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability Insurance
- Auto Liability Insurance
- Aircraft Liability Insurance
- Evidence of Workers’ Compensation
Additional Permits
- Students - $33 per permit (simple permits)
- $124 per permit (complex permits).
- Permit rider fee - $137 per rider.
- Non-profits - $34 per adjustment.
- FilmLA Monitor fee - $41 per hour.
- Notification fee - $215 per radius.
- Fire Review Fee - $282 per permit.
- Fire Safety Officer fee - $196.99 per hour (4-hour minimum).
- Fire Safety Advisor fee - $54.55 per hour (4-hour minimum).
Discounts
- Permit application fee - $863
- Non-profits - $69
- Students - $33
About West Hills
The neighborhood of West Hills in California lies in the western part of the San Fernando Valley. It is a residential community with a suburban feel that has been welcoming filmmakers and players in the motion picture industry since the 1920s. West Hills lies about five miles north of Calabasas and has its unique blend of beautiful locations like parks, preserves, residential areas, streets, restaurants, and coffee shops that make it an attractive filming location in San Fernando Valley.
If you would like to have an idea of the value that West Hills brings to films, check out projects such as Django Unchained (2012), Encino Man (1992), Jobs (2013), Gone with the Wind (1939), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Street Kings (2008), Bad Santa (2003), Matchstick Men (2003), The Kid (2000), and The Children's Hour (1961). Scenes from these movies were shot in West Hills. Use Giggster to find the location in West Hills that suits your production.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in West Hills?
Per the filming regulation in West Hills, you do not need a permit if you are in the community to carry out filming for personal use. An example is recording a video with your family while on vacation. You must, however, ensure that your activities do not disturb or impact the public in any way.
On the flip side, if you visit West Hills (or intend to) for any kind of commercial filming activity, you must obtain a film permit before kickstarting your production – this applies to filming on private or public property in the neighborhood. If you go ahead with your production without a permit, you will be breaking West Hills’ filming laws and will face penalties for such violations.
If you are a student filmmaker, there is a process for you to follow to obtain a student filming permit that you need for your production in West Hills.
If you are filming with stunts, pyrotechnics, or any special effects in the neighborhood, you need to contact the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Film Unit for approval for such activities. The Los Angeles Police Department will also be involved in your production if your filming will require road closures or traffic control.
Permit Management in West Hills
FilmLA
In West Hills, the agency that handles all film permit applications is FilmLA. Besides coordinating film permits, FilmLA also offers additional services to production companies that plan to spend time filming in West Hills. These services range from offering support on how to comply with the filming regulations in the community to providing helpful recommendations for budgeting issues, sharing insights from the experience of previous filmmakers in West Hills, and assisting with information that will help shoot in areas with special requirements.
To obtain a permit to film in West Hills, you must apply at least three days in advance of the date you plan to commence filming. Moreover, some film permits take as long as seven business days to process - like those that involve special effects or road closures – so you may need to apply as early as seven business days ahead of filming. To be on the safe side, apply as early as possible.
These are the steps to follow to secure a FilmLA permit in West Hills:
Decide on the location(s) you wish to use in West Hills.
Secure the required production insurance.
Submit your application for the film permit (online).
Reach out to the community where you will engage in the filming activity.
Pay the fees required for the permit and production.
When you apply, FilmLA assesses your application and reviews the supporting documentation. If everything is in order, you will hear from the Production Coordinator assigned to your project. Together, you and the Production Coordinator will further discuss the details of your project, and you will get to know if you need to meet some additional requirements. Such requirements may include conducting a filming survey, getting additional permits or approvals, covering more costs, or engaging a FilmLA Monitor.
If you are a student, you will need to follow the dedicated film permit process for student filmmakers. FilmLA is available to guide you all the way.
What Insurance Do I Need in West Hills?
To shoot production in West Hills, you need to provide evidence of insurance that complies with the production insurance requirements of West Hills. What that means is that you must have the following:
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 West Hills?
West Hills is home to several places that can either be used for filming as is or adapted to the unique needs of a producer. From historic landmarks to parks, natural areas, open spaces, buildings, schools, and a public library, there are plenty of options to choose from.
If you are a nature buff, you will never run out of places that intrigue you and invite you for a couple of shots. That’s because there are numerous parks distributed across the neighborhood, not to mention the nature preserves that are in the northern and western parts of the community. You will find a place that suits your needs like El Escorpión Park, Bell Canyon Park, Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, or any of the city parks in West Hills. Check out the landmark areas like Orcutt Ranch, Francis Lederer Estate, Shadow Ranch, and Peppergate Ranch for even more beautiful filming locations.
West Hills features a business district and some commercial districts where filmmakers can find spots to use as backdrops. Moreover, there are restaurants, food courts, and coffee shops that are good for movie scenes as well. Besides these, you will find modern farmhouses, multipurpose and dance studios, single-family homes, bungalows, Spanish-style homes, and modern residential buildings in the neighborhood too.
Special Requirements in West Hills
Los Angeles Unified School District
The following schools in West Hills are under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) - Capistrano Avenue Elementary School, Enadia Way Elementary School (Enadia Technology Enriched Charter School), Hamlin Street Elementary School (Hamlin Charter Academy), Haynes Elementary School, Justice Street Elementary School, Nevada Avenue Elementary School, Pomelo Drive Elementary School, and Welby Way Elementary School. Therefore, if you wish to make use of any of them as a filming location, you must abide by the LAUSD’s film requirements.
First off, you need to reach out to LAUSD and/or the filming liaison for the school of interest to discuss the details of your project and other matters such as availability, special conditions, etc. Thereafter, you will complete the LAUSD film license application and submit it alongside a parking map via email to FilmLA. You must submit the LAUSD application at least four business days before the start of filming. In addition, you will be required to provide the following:
A FilmLA permit.
Approval from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A FilmLA Monitor for the duration of filming.
Insurance that names FilmLA and LAUSD as additional insured (submit the insurance document to FilmLA Insurance):
Commercial General Liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence.
Auto Liability of at least $2,000,000 per accident.
Proof of workers’ compensation according to statutory requirements.
Filming fees for using the LAUSD property in West Hill include a refundable deposit, daily filming, daily parking fee, etc. Some of these are summarized below:
Refundable deposit - $500 per day.
Basic filming rate - $3,500 for 15 hours.
$350 for 4 hours for students.
Half-day filming rate - $1,750 for 6 hours.
Overtime rate - $140 per hour.
$70 per hour for students.
Custodial rate - $40 per hour.
Overtime parking/storage fee - $1,000 per day.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
Metro provides local bus services in West Hills and offers opportunities for commercial filming on their property in the neighborhood. The Chief Communications Officer oversees the film permitting process. According to Metro’s filming policy, every filmmaker must send in their film permit application at least fifteen days before the scheduled date of filming.
The process of obtaining permission to film on Metro property in West Hills is summarized below:
Contact Metro about your scheduled production and provide the requested information about it.
Prepare for a scouting meeting with Metro staff after which your application will be submitted for approval.
If approved, Metro will draft an agreement for you to sign at least twenty-four hours before filming starts.
Metro’s filming insurance requirement is as follows:
General Liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence.
Automobile Liability of at least $1,000,000 per accident
Workers' Compensation that complies with California's statutory requirements.
Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions for amounts over $25,000.
Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve
The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) manages the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve. To determine if you need a permit or not, reach out to the MRCA. If you will require a film permit, here are the steps to follow to secure the permit:
Review the MRCA Filming Information sheet to be provided by MRCA.
Submit the certificate of insurance required by MRCA.
Complete and submit the application form at least one week before filming (Late applications attract additional fees).
Submit a site and parking map.
Sign the permit and return it to the MRCA.
There are some other things to consider about filming at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve:
You can scout the preserve in advance if you arrange it with MRCA.
Filming fees depend on the nature of your production.
There are provisions for discounts for student filmmakers and recurring shoots.
Filming is allowed on weekends, holidays, and evenings.
An MRCA Monitor is always required.
A special FX permit may be required from the Fire Department, if necessary.
City Parks
If you intend to film at Castle Peak Park, Cohasset Melba Park, Four Oaks Park, Knapp Ranch Park, Taxco Trails Park, or Sean Brown Park in West Hills, you must obtain a FilmLA permit and contact the Los Angeles Park Film Office before you set out on production. These are the steps to follow:
Decide on the location that suits your needs and request information about the park from the LA Park Film Office.
Obtain your FilmLA permit.
Pay the required fees for the park – Park Monitor fees, location fees, parking fees, etc.
Prep days - $150 per day per park
Filming rate - $450 per day per park
Wrap/clean-up - $150 per day per park
Crew parking
$100 per day per park for less than 16 vehicles
$300 per day per park for 16 or more vehicles
Administration fee - $150
What Does it Cost to Film in West Hills?
You need to pay certain fees for you to carry out any kind of commercial filming in West Hills. FilmLA will receive some of these fees, while other city units whose services will be required (like City Parks, Police Department, Fire Department, etc.) will receive some other payments. A summary of the costs is presented below:
Additional Fees
Due to its long filmmaking history, Los Angeles has set basic fees for film-related services and permits. Here are other charges filmmakers are required to pay when filming in any LA location:
More than just permission for shooting, these film permits allow productions to access a range of city resources and services. It is best to start the permitting process early to budget the production money and time accordingly.
Geographical Jurisdiction of West Hills?
West Hills lies within the San Fernando Valley. It is bordered to the east by Canoga Park, to which it was once joined. Woodland Hills lies south of the neighborhood, while Chatsworth is located north. The city of Hidden Hills is southwest, while Bell Canyon sits west.
Hidden Hills
Commercial filming is allowed in the city of Hidden Hills, and all film permits are reviewed by the City Council. A filmmaker must apply for a permit to film in Hidden Hills at least thirty days before the planned date of filming and notify all residents and businesses within 1000 ft of the filming location before the permit is approved. Typically, all applications are considered at a public hearing in the city before it is approved. As per the filming laws in Hidden Hills, the following apply: A film permit is valid for only two filming days per year per residence. The insurance liability requirements are: Coverage of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence. Evidence of compliance with statutory worker’s compensation. Name the city as an additional insured. Complete a hold harmless agreement Pay the required filming fees established by the City Council which consist of: A processing fee. A daily administrative reimbursement fee. A daily property use fee.
Calabasas
To obtain a permit to film in Calabasas, a filmmaker must complete the permit application and submit it to the Film Permit Office at least three business days before the scheduled production date. Some permits take up to five business days to process, usually because of the scope of the production and additional approvals by regulatory agencies in the city. In addition, permits for productions that require the use of public right-of-way may take as long as three weeks to process.
Additional requirements and considerations for a film permit in Calabasas are as follows: Contact the LA County Fire Department for a permit in addition to the film permit issued by the city.
Complete a Request to Use UAS for Filming Questionnaire if your production involves the use of drones.
Pay a refundable $590 security deposit.
Provide a certificate of insurance with: General liability of $1,000,000; Aerial liability of $5,000,000 (if filming with aircraft); Workers’ compensation that complies with California laws; and Name the city as an additional insured.
Get signatures from the residents within and around the filming location if production will take place between 6 am and 7 am, and from 7 pm to 12 am.
Fees: Permit Fee - $472 per day. Engineering review deposit - $500. Rider/Change Fee - $118 per occurrence. Cancellation Fee - $118
City Road Use Fee: Filming on City Streets - $472 per day. Parking on City Streets - $237 per day. Refundable Bond - $590. Late Processing Fee - $118.
Outreach in West Hills
To comply with the filming guidelines in West Hills, FilmLA conducts outreach in the filming location by sending out filming notices to residents and businesses within 500 ft of the filming activity at least two days before the commencement of production. This is one of the services provided to the filmmakers as part of the preparation for filming in West Hills. The recipients of the filming notices are those that will be affected by activities such as filming, catering, and vehicle parking.
When a filmmaker plans to carry out filming activities during periods outside the standard filming hours or park beyond extended periods, there is an additional outreach requirement to fulfill. In such cases, the filmmaker must carry out a filming survey in the area and seek the consent of the residents and businesses before the commencement of filming.
Community Management in West Hills
It is one thing to notify folks in West Hills ahead of your arrival that you will be in town for the production. It is yet another thing to carry out your filming activities in such a way that it has only minimal impact on the host community. Both are required if you wish to have a good production experience in West Hills. As a producer, how you relate with the locals for the entire period of your stay matters – make sure there’s a means of reaching a designated member of your team in case there are complaints or concerns and engage via channels like public meetings and forums.
Conclusion
West Hills is made up of friendly and welcoming residents that always do their best to ensure that every production company that is in town for a project has a memorable experience. That way, filmmakers always love to come back for more film shoots in the neighborhood because the combo of the beautiful locations and the hospitable people make for such a delightful time. Add to that the ease of collaboration with FilmLA for a permit to film here, and you can already tell that you have what you need for a great time. Simply decide on the location you’d like to use in the area, secure insurance and any supporting documentation, pay the fees, and you will be good to go.