Film Permit

Requirements

Film permits are required for any commercial production filming or still shoots within the Malibu city limits. Please note that filming is not allowed on Sundays under any circumstance.

Contact

  • Film companies should call the Malibu Film Office at 805-495-7521 for all information related to permits and filming in Malibu.
  • Malibu residents wishing to report violations or who need assistance with issues related to filming in their neighborhood may call 805-495-7521. (For after-hours assistance, call 805-732-9433.)

California Film and Television Tax Credit Program 4.0 

The California Film Commission administers the Film & Television Tax Credit Program 4.0 which provides tax credits based on qualified expenditures for eligible productions that are produced in California. The $3.75 billion program runs for 5 years, with a sunset date of June 30, 2030. Each fiscal year – July 1 to June 30 – the $750-million funding is categorized in: TV Projects, Relocating TV, Indie Features, and Non-Indie Features. 

TAX CREDIT RATE AND ADDITIONAL CREDITS

The Film & Television Tax Credit Program 4.0 provides the following tax credit rates:

35%

  • Indie & Non-Indie Films
  • New TV
  • Recurring
  • Limited
  • Pilot

40%

  • Relocating TV Series

5% OR 10%

Uplifts – Additional Tax Credits may apply as outlined below.

Local Hire Labor / Local Wage Expenditures

  • 10% for Indie & Non-Indie Films, New TV, Recurring, Limited, Pilot
  • 5% for Relocating TV

Out of Los Angeles Zone Filming Expenditures & Visual Effects

  • 5% for Non-Indie Films, New TV, Recurring, Limited, Pilot

For more details and application materials, visit the California Film Commission website.

TAX CREDIT 4.0 APPLICATION WINDOWS

The California Film Commission (CFC) will administer six application windows for fiscal year two of Tax Credit Program 4.0.  The application, phase two, and Credit Allocation Letter (approval letter) dates are listed below.  


Window #1: Television Projects

  • Application Window: June 15-17, 2026
  • Phase II: June 18-20, 2026
  • Credit Allocation Approval Date: July 27, 2026

Window #2: Film Projects

  • Application Window: August 10-12, 2026
  • Phase II: August 13-15, 2026
  • Credit Allocation Approval Date: September 21, 2026

Window #3: Television Projects

  • Application Window: October 5-7, 2026
  • Phase II: October 8-10, 2026
  • Credit Allocation Approval Date: November 16, 2026

Window #4: Film Projects

  • Application Window: January 11-13, 2027
  • Phase II: January 14-15, 2027
  • Credit Allocation Approval Date: February 22, 2027

Window #5: Television Projects

  • Application Window: March 8-10, 2027
  • Phase II: March 11-13, 2027
  • Credit Allocation Approval Date: April 19, 2027

Window #6: Film Projects

  • Application Window: May 3-5, 2027
  • Phase II: May 6-8, 2027
  • Credit Allocation Approval Date: June 14, 2027

 

The CFC website provides updated informational documents to assist tax credit applicants during the application process. Applicants are strongly advised to review each resource prior to project budgeting and scheduling. Be sure to carefully read the Budget Tagging and Tracking Tips instructions to accurately tag budgets; pay close attention to box rentals and car allowances. The Qualified Expenditures Chart document lists suggested methodology and tagging to determine uplifts and bonus points. In addition, the required documentation checklist is specific to each project category:

Resources