Certified Studios

Certified Studios*

In the City of Los Angeles, a film permit is not required while filming in a "certified studio"--that is, while filming in any of the three (3) areas defined in Chapter 48, Section 4801.3, of the LA Fire Code that have been approved by the LAFD Film Unit:

  • APPROVED PRODUCTION FACILITY: An existing building, or portion of a building, or a group of buildings altered for use by the entertainment industry for the purpose of motion picture, television and commercial production.
  • PRODUCTION STUDIO: A building, portion of a building, or a group of buildings designed and constructed for use by the entertainment industry for the purpose of motion picture, television and commercial production.
  • SOUND STAGE: A building or portion of a building usually insulated from outside noise and natural light for use by the entertainment industry for the purpose of motion picture, television and commercial production.

*PLEASE NOTE: The phrase "certified studio" does not exist in the LA Fire Code, but is commonly utilized by members of the film industry to indicate any of three areas defined above that have received final approval from the LAFD Film Unit.

Also, it should be noted that the ability to film in an "approved production facility", "production studio" or "sound stage" without a film permit does not negate any of the other ancillary permits which may be required during filming (e.g. special effects permits, tent permits, hot work/welding permits, special permits, etc.) If you have any questions regarding permitting requirements the LAFD Film Unit can be reached at lafdfilm@lacity.org or 213.978.3670 for guidance.

The following table lists the production studios, approved production facilities and sound stages that have received LAFD Film Unit approval to operate without requiring film permits:

LAFD Film Unit - Approved Studios/Production Facilities/Sound Stages*
Ana Special Effects7021 N Havenhurst Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Avenue Six Studios7900 Haskell Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Ben Kitay Studios1015 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90038
Ben Kitay Studios1050-1054 N Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038
Ben Kitay Studios1060 Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038
Ben Kitay Studios6309 W Eleanor Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038
Crimson Studios9640 Owensmouth, Chatsworth, CA 91311
DATG - It's A Laugh Productions3030 Andrita Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065
Delfino Studios12501 Gladstone Avenue, Sylmar, CA 91342
Illuminate Studio Production Services10900 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
Jim Henson Studios1416 N La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028
KMEX5999 W Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045
KTTV Fox Studios1999 S Bundy Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90025
L.A. Center Studios450 S Bixel, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Lacy St Production Center2630 N Lacy St, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Line 204 Studios800 Seward Street, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Line 204 Studios1043 Seward Street, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Mack-Sinnet Studios1215 Bates Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Meruelo Media Studios4975 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Minassian Productions Inc5301 Exchange St, Los Angeles, CA 90039
NBCUniversal111 E Universal Hollywood Dr, Los Angeles, CA  90068
NBCUniversal3773 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068
NBCUniversal3775 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068
NBCUniversal3777 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068
NBCUniversal3779 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068
NBCUniversal4048 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91604
NBCUniversal4050 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91604
Nike5860 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
NYA Studios1541 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Occidental Studios, Inc.201 N Occidental Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Occidental Studios, Inc.221 N Occidental Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Paramount Studios5555 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA 90038
Pollution Studios LLC1539 S Grande Vista Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Prospect Studios4151 Prospect Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Quixote Studios1005 N Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Quixote Studios4585 W Electronics Place, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Quixote Studios10445 Glen Oaks, Pacoima, CA 91331
Quixote Studios12154 Montague St, Pacoima, CA 91331
Quixote Studios13927 W Saticoy St, Van Nuys, CA 91402
Radford Studio Center4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
Raleigh Saticoy Studios16829 W Saticoy St, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Raleigh Studios5300 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Red Studios846 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90038
Riot Games12312 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Scientology4401 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Showbiz Studios15521-15541 W Lanark St, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Siren Studios6069 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Stage This11273 Goss St, Sun Valley, CA 91352
Steelhead TV12901 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Sunset Bronson Studios5800 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
Sunset Gower Studios1438 N Gower St, Hollywood, CA 90028
Sunset Las Palmas Studios1040 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Television City Studios7800 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Twentieth Century Fox Studios10201 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Youtube Space L.A12422 Bluff Creek Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90094

*List current as of July 18, 2023, and shall be updated regularly.

BECOMING AN APPROVED PRODUCTION FACILITY / PRODUCTION STUDIO / SOUND STAGE

Simply naming a facility an "approved production facility", "production studio" or "sound stage", neither supersedes nor negates a film permit requirement. Approval from the LAFD Film Unit is required to confirm compliance with all relevant LA Fire Code regulations, particularly those outlined in Chapter 48. The process of becoming an "approved production facility", "production studio" or "sound stage", as defined in Chapter 48 of the Fire Code typically begins with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety and concludes with the LAFD Film Unit. The Los Angeles Business Portal - Studio Concierge Services, is a great place to start for guidance.

LA Dept. of Building & Safety (LADBS) - A certificate of occupancy with either a Group A-1 or Group F-1 occupancy classification from LADBS shall be obtained.

LAFD Fire Development Services (LAFD FDS) - LAFD FDS handles fire and life safety oversight of the facility construction/renovation, and is charged with approving the fire protection systems put in place.

LAFD Film Unit - In addition to any LADBS or LAFD FDS requirements, every "approved production facility", "production studio" or "sound stage" shall adhere to all applicable LA Fire Code Chapter 48 requirements including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Occupancy Classification (LA Fire Code 4802.1 & 4802.2) – The building occupancy classification shall be either Group A-1 or Group F-1.
  • Decorative Materials (LA Fire Code 4804.9) – Drapes, drops, cut greens, etc., shall meet the flame retardant requirements of California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapters 5 and 8, Sections 807.5.1.5 and 807.5.7.
  • Electrical (LA Fire Code 4808.2) – The approved production studio shall be provided with "a minimum of 35 watts per square foot" (Documentation from LADBS may be required.)
  • Exit Doors (LA Fire Code 4804.4) – Exit doors shall be equipped with panic hardware and swing in the direction of exit travel.
  • Exit Illumination (LA Fire Code 4804.6) – Exit illumination shall be provided in accordance with the California Building Code. In the event of power failure, exit path illumination shall be automatically provided by an approved emergency back-up system.
  • Exit Obstructions (LA Fire Code 4804.7) – All means of egress shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 10, Section 1005.1.
  • Exit Signs (LA Fire Code 4804.5) – Illuminated exit signs shall be installed in accordance with the California Building Code.
  • Fire Alarm Control Units (LA Fire Code 4806.1) – A Fire alarm control units shall be California State Fire Marshal listed and shall be utilized in accordance with their listing.
  • Foam Plastics (LA Fire Code 4804.8) – All foam plastics shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 807.5.1.5 and 807.5.7.
  • Interior Fire Lane (aka 4 FT PERIMETER - Fire Code 4804.2) – Aisles. Perimeter aisles within the sound stage and approved production facility shall be provided. Aisles required by this section shall have a minimum width of 4 feet (1219 mm). Aisles required by this section shall have a minimum clear unobstructed height of 7 feet (2134 mm).
  • Solid-Ceiling Sets & Platforms (LA Fire Code 4805.3) – All interior solid ceiling sets over 600 square feet (55.7 m2) in area, and platforms (when provided) over 600 square feet (55.7 m2) in area and which exceed 3 feet (914 mm) in height shall be protected by one of the following (1) heat detectors, (2) fly the ceiling, (3) approved fire watch.
  • Sprinklers (LA Fire Code 4805.2) – All new sound stages shall be equipped with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. The system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 9 and shall meet the minimum design requirements of an Extra Hazard, Group 2 system and documentation from LADBS (or approved by LADBS) shall be provided.
  • Travel Distance to Exit (LA Fire Code 4804.3) – The maximum travel distance to any exit within the sound stage and approved production facility shall be 150 feet (45 720 mm).

Once the building has been issued the appropriate certificate of occupancy from LADBS, final approval shall be obtained from the LAFD Film Unit. The LAFD Film Unit can be reached at 213.978.3670 or lafdfilm@lacity.org for further guidance.

LINKS

CONTACT 

213.978.3670
lafdfilm@lacity.org

 

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