Permit & Inspection Services

Filming Permits

Fuel Truck

  • Follow Los Angeles County Guidelines.
  • Underwriters Laboratory approved pumps required.
  • Bonded fuel delivery hose with a hand actuated nozzle and no lock open device required.
  • An approved metal to metal grounding device must be used when dispensing flammable or combustible liquids.
  • A fire extinguisher of, minimum, 20BC rating shall be provided and immediately available to operator for the event of fire emergency.
  • Gravity dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids is not allowed.
  • Dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids is not allowed from fuel drums.
  • Emergency push-pull type emergency shut off switch is to be located on front of fuel truck.
  • Proper D.O.T. placards and warning are required on vehicle, e.g., “Flammable, No Smoking within 50 feet.”

Open Flame on Motion Picture Set

  • Follow the Industry Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee, Safety Bulletin #19, Recommended Guidelines for the Use of Open Flame on Production.
  • No flammable or combustible liquids or gases allowed in the area.
  • Combustible materials to be kept at a safe distance.
  • Control all other possible forms of ignition source on stage, e.g., water heaters.
  • Coordinate with other departments to insure no use of flammable or combustible materials on stage.
  • Fire extinguishers, class A (water) and multi-purpose (ABC) type to be immediately available for the event of a fire emergency.
  • A 30-minute fire watch needed after use of open flame.
  • No smoking in building.
  • All permits are subject to revocation at discretion of CCFD.

Pyrotechnics/Special Effects

  • Follow the Industry Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee, Safety Bulletin #16, Recommended Guidelines for Safety with Pyrotechnic Special Effects.
  • Proper State Fire Marshal credentials are to be held and in possession by the pyrotechnic operator.
  • No flammable or combustible liquids or gases to be in the area.
  • Control all other possible forms of ignition source on stage, e.g., water heaters.
  • Coordinate with other departments to insure no use of flammable or combustible materials on stage.
  • At least one 2A10BC extinguisher is to be immediately available for the event of fire emergency. Additional fire protection equipment may be required. This is determined by the opinion of a Culver City Fire Safety Officer on scene and/or Culver City Community Risk Reduction Division personnel, based upon varieties and amounts of pyrotechnics or other special effects to be used.
  • Proper pyrotechnics storage magazine to be kept in a safe, secure area.
  • Minimal personnel, limited to those only necessary for production, to be in immediate area of pyrotechnics use.
  • No smoking in building.
  • Conduct safety meeting with all involved personnel prior to use of pyrotechnics.
  • All permits are subject to revocation at discretion of CCFD.

Vehicles on Set

  • Vehicles to be inspected for and free of ignitable liquid leaks.
  • Vehicle should have less than a ¼ tank of fuel.
  • Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  • Elephant (large stage) doors to be kept open while vehicles are on stage and stage is occupied.
  • All exits to be maintained unobstructed.
  • No smoking in building with signs posted.
  • At least one 2A10BC fire extinguisher needs to be immediately available.
  • Portable, temporary heat detectors to be in place and in operations when set is un-occupied.
  • Vehicles to be parked no closer than 20 feet to each other and no closer than 30 feet from building structure members.
  • No fueling of vehicles on set.

Welding/Cutting/Grinding

  • No flammable or combustible liquids or gases allowed in the area, except those necessary for process (welding gases).
  • Combustible materials to be kept out of range of sparks and other sources of ignition that are products of welding or cutting processes.
  • Coordinate with other departments to insure no use of flammable or combustible materials on stage.
  • Fire extinguishers, Class A (water) and multi-purpose (ABC) type to be immediately available for the event of a fire emergency.
  • A 30-minute fire watch needed after completion of hot work, e.g., welding, cutting, etc.
  • Compressed gas bottles are to be properly secured so that they will not fall if disrupted.
  • No smoking in building.

Inspection Services

How do I schedule an inspection?

Please call Community Risk Reduction at (310) 253-5925 to inquire about scheduling an inspection.

When can I schedule an inspection?

Inspections can generally be scheduled anytime Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, depending on the Inspector’s schedule and appointments.

Operational Permits

Amusement Building

  • A copy of the permit shall be maintained in plain visible sight during all hours of operation.
  • All fabrics shall be treated with an approved flame retardant material. All fabrics shall be tested prior to use. The use of plastic (visqueen) shall not be permitted. T-19 CCR 3.21.
  • Under no circumstances shall the occupant load of the haunted house exceed 49 persons including actors and those persons operating the house.
  • Evacuation diagrams shall be placed adjacent to each exit and shall remain during the operation of the house. T-19 CCR 3.09.
  • Fire extinguishers with a minimum 2A10BC rating shall be installed at each exit and control room. 
  • All persons working in the house shall be trained in evacuation procedures. In addition, any individuals acting as guides shall brief all customers on evacuation procedures, obtain a head count for all members in their group and account for them until the tour is over and guests are discharged. T-19 CCR 3.13
  • Under no circumstances shall electrical wiring be stapled to the walls or be run under carpeting. Any permanent wiring shall be performed under a permit issued by the Building Safety Division. 
  • Illuminated exit signs shall be maintained in operating order over all exits during operating hours.
  • Under no circumstances shall smoking or any use of open flame be permitted. No smoking signs shall be posted at each entrance.

Open Flame in Building

  • No flammable or combustible liquids or gases allowed in the area.
  • Combustible materials to be kept at a safe distance.
  • Fire extinguishers, Class A and multi-purpose (ABC) type to be immediately available for the event of a fire emergency.
  • A 30 minute fire watch needed after use of open flame.
  • All permits are subject to revocation at discretion of CCFD.

Tents/Canopies

  • Compliance with 2016 California Fire Code Chapter 31 is required for tents over 400 sq. ft. and canopies over 700 sq. ft.
  • Tents and membrane structures shall be adequately roped, braced, and anchored to withstand the elements of weather and to prevent collapsing.
  • Material needs to be treated with fire retardant treatment and certified.
  • No smoking signs shall be conspicuously posted.
  • No vehicles parked closer than 20 feet.
  • Exits to be clearly identified with signage, as required for clarity.
  • All permits are subject to revocation at discretion of CCFD.

What is an "Operational Permit" and why do I need one?

Operational permits are required for a number of activities and businesses. Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code lists the various operations. Some examples include the operation of Assembly Occupancies, Carnivals and Fairs, Combustible dust-producing operations, Dry Cleaning, Hazardous Materials and Compressed Gases, Lumber Yards, Open Flames and Candles, Pyrotechnics, Refrigeration Equipment, Repair Garages, Tents or Membrane Structures, Production Facilities and Filming. Specific Fire Code requirements apply to each operation. Some common requirements are listed below.

Special Event Permits

What is a "Special Permit" and why do I need one?

All events open to the public require a permit from the City’s Committee on Permits and Licenses.

Where do I apply for a special event permit?

Special Event applicants must go to the Business License Desk on the First Floor of City Hall to complete an Event Permit Application. Learn more about the Special Event Permit application process on the City's website.

What information do I need to include with my special event permit application?

Applicants must also be sure to bring a plot plan of the facility, which includes the location of the event on the premises, any stationary objects such as tables, chairs, etc. with their respective dimensions.

How long does the special event permit application process take?

Be advised that the Special Event Application Process takes approximately 3 weeks to complete.

After I complete the special event permit application, what is the process?

  • Once the Application has been completed, the Business License Division will then direct the Applicant to the Planning Department on the Second Floor for review and approval of the Plot Plan. Note: other department approvals such as Police and Engineering may be necessary depending on the type of event.
  • Once Planning has received and approved the Plot Plan, they will direct the Applicant to the Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Division, which is also located on the Second Floor of City Hall. CRR will review and approve the Plot Plan for fire and life safety concerns and will issue any pertinent Special Permits (e.g., tents/canopies, special event fees, open flame, etc.). CRR will then direct the Applicant back to the Business License Division on the First Floor.
  • The Business License Division will then accept the Application and department approvals and will place it on the Agenda for the Permits and License Committee Meeting for approval consideration. The Permits and License Committee meets every Wednesday. However, the item must be placed on the Agenda no later than the Friday before the next Wednesday meeting in order to give the public notice as required by the Brown Act.
  • Once the Committee has approved the Application, the Applicant will be able to go forward with the Special Event.

Fire Safety Officer (FSO) and Life Safety Officer (LSO) Requests

Culver City Fire Safety Officers and Life Safety Officers can be requested to be on scene for filming productions and events as required. 

Request a Fire Safety Officer (FSO)

Request a Life Safety Officer (LSO) 

Back to top