Santa Clarita is the first city in the 30-Mile Zone to approve a new zoning designation that supports filming at local movie ranches.

The new zoning designation assigns certain areas within the City where location filming and related facilities, including soundstages, are permitted by right.  The designation is intended to encourage location filming and full service motion picture and television filming on-site, permitted by right, subject to review by the Santa Clarita Film Office.

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It will enable the film industry to be confident in the long-term support for filming in the City, and to have a blueprint for consistency in film policy at the designated movie ranches.  The City of Santa Clarita City Council unanimously approved the new overlay zone titled the “Movie Ranch Overlay Zone (MOZ)” on November 8.

Santa Clarita is one of the most filmed Southern California film communities in the 30-Mile Zone because of its film-friendly practices and policies, as well as its film infrastructure, which includes nearly 10 movie ranches in the area.   The City created the MOZ as a way to support existing production and film businesses, while attracting new production and film companies.

“Filming is important to us in Santa Clarita,” said Mayor Marsha McLean.  “Not only is it a part of our community’s past and our state’s history; filming is one of Santa Clarita’s top industries today, employing thousands of residents and infusing millions of dollars into our local businesses.  We are committed to doing everything we can to support and grow California’s signature industry, while making a name for Santa Clarita as the City that not only understands the industry, but supports filming at every level, from ordinances and policies to infrastructure and zoning.”

The City of Santa Clarita works to balance the needs of film production with those of its residents and businesses.  This includes implementing consistent and fair filming practices, which are the foundation of the City’s filming ordinance and the new movie ranch overlay zone.

The MOZ was approved by the City Council on November 8 and goes into effect 30 days after approval on December 8.

For more information about the Movie Ranch Overlay Zone, please contact Jason Crawford, economic development manager, with the City of Santa Clarita at (661)-255-4347.