Los Angeles has long been the beating heart of Hollywood and the global entertainment industry. More than just a major production hub, the city is the birthplace of the film industry and home to some of the world’s biggest studios.
But even Hollywood royalty isn’t immune to the rising cost of living as it continues to climb, making the city increasingly expensive, pushing productions to seek more affordable locations elsewhere.
Now, the city is taking action. The Los Angeles City Council has approved a new set of incentives that will allow film productions to use certain city-owned properties for just $1 a day, alongside free permits for qualifying small shoots, as the L.A. Times reports.
How do L.A.’s new $1 filming fees work?
Approved on October 27, 2026, the measures are part of the Keep Hollywood Home initiative, a broader effort to make local filming more accessible and bring production activity back to the city.
Under the new policy, eligible productions will be able to rent non-specialized city-owned parking lots, yards, staging areas, and civic properties for a symbolic fee of $1 per day. The goal is to make it easier for crews to find affordable spaces for base camps, equipment, and production vehicles.
The savings could be significant. According to FilmLA, the city previously charged up to $450 per day for base camp parking at municipal parks, while crew parking could cost between $100 and $300 daily.
The council also approved a separate free Micro-Shoot Permit for productions with no more than 10 people on set. The category is designed for student filmmakers, documentary crews, independent projects, and other small-scale productions with minimal impact on surrounding neighborhoods.
However, these incentives aren’t available just yet, with FilmLA expecting to share further details within 60 days of approval. That means filmmakers will need to wait for the official application process, eligibility requirements, and launch date before taking advantage of the new rates.
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