LA County Will Review Cutting Film Permitting Fees

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to review film permitting fees, part of an effort to build a stronger relationship with the entertainment industry and boost local film and television production.

Supervisor Sheila Kuehl proposed taking a fresh look, pointing to the California Film Commission's report that the state lost out on 164 "runaway" production projects totaling $3.7 billion in spending from 2010-16.

"The county needs to take a look at its fees," Kuehl said, recalling complaints during her time in the Legislature that "there are some wonderful places to shoot, but the fees are very high."

Supervisor Janice Hahn, who co-authored the motion, said county fees should be more in line with those charged by the city of Los Angeles.

"We just want to be film-friendly," Hahn said.

About 250,000 people countywide have jobs in the entertainment industry and the sector accounts for nearly $60 billion in goods and services or about 10 percent of the county's gross domestic product, according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

The motion, which also calls for stronger enforcement of county rules and regulations regarding film production, "translates to being more film-friendly in the community," Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.

The board's vote was unanimous. A report is expected back in 60 days.

- City News Service / Image via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0