LA City Council Advances Legislation to Support Film Industry and Keep Hollywood Home

Keep Hollywood Home Initiative Targets Red Tape

The legislation stems from the “Keep Hollywood Home” initiative introduced in December 2025 by Councilman Adrin Nazarian, according to The Eastsider LA. Nazarian stated during the council meeting that the package resulted from 13 meetings with labor organizations and 10 meetings with city departments. “The package before you is not symbolic. It’s not theoretical, and it’s not aspirational,” Nazarian said, as reported by The Eastsider LA. “It is targeted, practical reforms built from lived experience, and it is ready to effectuate change.” The newly approved motions build upon an executive order issued last year by Mayor Karen Bass to facilitate filming at prominent locations such as the Griffith Observatory and the Central Library, while also lowering permit fees.

Specific Reforms and City Instructions

Following the unanimous vote, city staff received explicit directives to implement several structural changes, according to The Eastsider LA. The council instructed staff to develop a contract with neighboring film jurisdictions in conjunction with FilmLA—the official film office for the city and county—to boost regional competitiveness and workforce development. Additionally, the city will streamline filming permits, standardize notification and monitoring requirements, fast-track soundstage certifications, and develop a “fan tour” alongside a “Made in LA” brand initiative. The council also requested that the City Controller audit the film permitting process and directed the City Attorney’s Office to draft a free “micro-shoot permit” for qualifying public space productions, as reported by The Eastsider LA.

Local Impacts and Industry Reactions

While the package drew broad support from entertainment workers who filled the Council Chamber, local concerns emerged regarding neighborhood disruptions. Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado voiced apprehension that standardized notification and monitoring rules could negatively impact her 14th District, which covers downtown and northeast Los Angeles. Jurado noted that unexpected street closures during peak holiday periods can harm fragile downtown businesses by rendering parking and streets inaccessible to customers, according to The Eastsider LA. In response, Nazarian assured that officials would work closely to mitigate those neighborhood impacts. Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson emphasized the local stakes, stating, “Downtown L.A. is apparently the most filmed neighborhood in the world, so it’s really important that we do the work to keep it that way,” per The Eastsider LA. James Babbin, a Sherman Oaks resident and owner of Barnegat Light Productions, praised the measures during public comment, telling the council that operational efficiency is critical because existing systems have not kept pace with industry changes.