MALIBU : Council Opens Film Office, Cuts Fees

In an effort to increase city revenues and make Malibu more film-friendly, the City Council has voted unanimously to create an in-house film permit office and reduce fees for permits by $115 each.

Previously, permits to film in Malibu were processed through the Department of Regional Planning’s Los Angeles County Film Office, where a standard permit brought the county $315 and $400 to the city of Malibu.

But Malibu cut the county out of the deal Monday night when the City Council approved amendments to the film permit fee resolution so that the city will collect $600 for a standard permit.

All the processing work will now be done within Malibu City Hall, with a city ombudsman assigned to handle requests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The city will also allow commercial film interests to fax their permit applications and will use the same method to return approved permits.