Getting Permits from the Los Angeles Harbor Department
The Port of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Harbor Department) manages the land in the Harbor District on behalf of the City of Los Angeles and the State of California under the State Tidelands Trust. Any activity on Port property other than visiting areas open to the public requires permission from the Los Angeles Harbor Department.
Construction, Repairs, and Demolition on Port Property
These types of activities may require multiple permits from the Harbor Department, which can all be applied for with a single Application for Port Permit (APP). The APP requires the submission of:
If the proposed work includes the storage and/or use of bulk commodities, the APP also requires submission of:
Completed forms, engineering drawings, and payment can be submitted either via mail or in person to the Planning and Strategy Division at 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro CA 90731. Harbor Department staff may require additional documents or engineering information during the application process.
The APP Instruction Manual, which answers frequently asked questions, is available here.
If you have any questions, please email staff at [email protected]
- General Information Form
- Environmental Form
- Site Map
- Site Plan
- Engineering drawings, calculations, and any other related engineering documents, signed and stamped by a State of California-licensed engineer – three sets of size 24”x36” originals and one set of 11”x17 originals
- A $500 application fee via check made payable to The City of LA Harbor Department
If the proposed work includes the storage and/or use of bulk commodities, the APP also requires submission of:
Completed forms, engineering drawings, and payment can be submitted either via mail or in person to the Planning and Strategy Division at 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro CA 90731. Harbor Department staff may require additional documents or engineering information during the application process.
The APP Instruction Manual, which answers frequently asked questions, is available here.
If you have any questions, please email staff at [email protected]
Diving Permits
Swimming or diving for recreational purposes is prohibited in the Port of Los Angeles. Any diving for commercial, environmental, or scientific purposes within the Port jurisdiction requires a diving permit. All requirements are outlined in the dive permit application. To apply, divers will need to provide identification, a photo and their applicable diving certification. Fees apply for first-time applicants and for renewals. Permits are non-transferable and must be renewed annually.
Get the application here.
Get the application here.
Film and Photography Permits
All filming on Port property requires pre-approval from the Port’s Wharfinger Division. A Film L.A. permit, approved by the Port of Los Angeles, is required before filming can begin. Additional permits may be required depending on filming activities and locations within the Port. Please contact the Wharfinger Division at (310) 732-3810 prior to scouting locations at the Port of Los Angeles.
The Port of Los Angeles will assess fees on Port properties not leased by outside entities. The fees are charged per location, per day for uses such as: prep, strike, filming, crew parking, basecamp, and still photos. Additional fees may be assessed if services from other Port divisions are required, such as Port Police or maintenance crews. If filming involves boats, barges, tugs, etc., daily dockage will be assessed per Tariff No. 4, Section Four, Item Nos. 400-480.
Learn More
Insurance is required for all filming activities in the Port of Los Angeles and must be approved prior to the start of filming. The Los Angeles Harbor Department Insurance Guidelines for Film Permits lists the types of coverages that may be required for your production/photography.
Photographers may easily capture typical Port operations (ships, tugs, cranes, containers, docks, etc.) from several vantage points along the Los Angeles Main Channel in the following public areas:
No special clearance or access are required to take photos from the above areas; however, taking photos on private property and/or secured terminals will require permission from the terminal operator. Please contact the Port's Wharfinger Division at (310) 732-3810 before taking any photos on Port property.
Any journalists, photographers, videographers (including freelancers) who wish to obtain their own photos or footage of the Port of Los Angeles for media purposes, must first contact the Port’s Media Relations Division at (310) 732-0430.
The Port of Los Angeles will assess fees on Port properties not leased by outside entities. The fees are charged per location, per day for uses such as: prep, strike, filming, crew parking, basecamp, and still photos. Additional fees may be assessed if services from other Port divisions are required, such as Port Police or maintenance crews. If filming involves boats, barges, tugs, etc., daily dockage will be assessed per Tariff No. 4, Section Four, Item Nos. 400-480.
Learn More
Insurance is required for all filming activities in the Port of Los Angeles and must be approved prior to the start of filming. The Los Angeles Harbor Department Insurance Guidelines for Film Permits lists the types of coverages that may be required for your production/photography.
Photographers may easily capture typical Port operations (ships, tugs, cranes, containers, docks, etc.) from several vantage points along the Los Angeles Main Channel in the following public areas:
- Banning's Landing Community Center, 100 E. Water Street, Wilmington
- Downtown Harbor (next to Los Angeles Maritime Museum), 504 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro
- Korean Bell at Angels Gate Park, 3601 S Gaffey Street, San Pedro
- Lookout Point Park, 3400 N Gaffey Street, San Pedro
- Los Angeles Cruise Ship Promenade, 100 Swinford Street, San Pedro
- San Pedro Fish Market & Restaurant, 1190 Nagoya Way, San Pedro
No special clearance or access are required to take photos from the above areas; however, taking photos on private property and/or secured terminals will require permission from the terminal operator. Please contact the Port's Wharfinger Division at (310) 732-3810 before taking any photos on Port property.
Any journalists, photographers, videographers (including freelancers) who wish to obtain their own photos or footage of the Port of Los Angeles for media purposes, must first contact the Port’s Media Relations Division at (310) 732-0430.
Hosting An Event
These types of activities will require a Temporary Entry and Use Permit (TEUP), and may require a Harbor Engineer’s Permit, both of which are applied for with a single Application for Port Permit (APP). The APP requires submission of:
- Events Form
- Site Map
- Site Plan
If the proposed event will involve involving erecting structures, anchoring structures to port property, assembling equipment, closing roads, etc., also submit:
- A $500 application fee via check made payable to The City of LA Harbor Department
Completed forms, and payment can be submitted either via mail or in person to the Planning and Strategy Division at 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro CA 90731. Harbor Department staff may require additional documents or engineering information during the application process.
The APP Instruction Manual, which answers frequently asked questions, is available here.
If you have any questions, please email staff at [email protected]
- Events Form
- Site Map
- Site Plan
If the proposed event will involve involving erecting structures, anchoring structures to port property, assembling equipment, closing roads, etc., also submit:
- A $500 application fee via check made payable to The City of LA Harbor Department
Completed forms, and payment can be submitted either via mail or in person to the Planning and Strategy Division at 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro CA 90731. Harbor Department staff may require additional documents or engineering information during the application process.
The APP Instruction Manual, which answers frequently asked questions, is available here.
If you have any questions, please email staff at [email protected]
Hot Work Permits
Permits are required before proceeding with any hot work on Port property. Hot work is any work that involves burning, welding, using fire- or spark-producing tools, or that produces a source of ignition. Welding, soldering, and brazing are all examples of hot work. Call Los Angeles Port Police at (310) 732-3500 and speak with a dispatcher to arrange for permit issuance.
Leasing Port Property
Leasing port property from the Harbor Department, whether on a long-term or short-term basis, involves the completion of an Application for Port Permit (APP). The APP requires the submission of:
- General Information Form
- Environmental Form
- Real Estate Entitlement Form
- Site Map
Completed forms, and payment can be submitted either via mail or in person to the Planning and Strategy Division at 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro CA 90731.
Harbor Department staff may require additional documents or engineering information during the application process.
The APP Instruction Manual, which answers frequently asked questions, is available here.
If you have any questions, please email staff at [email protected]
- General Information Form
- Environmental Form
- Real Estate Entitlement Form
- Site Map
Completed forms, and payment can be submitted either via mail or in person to the Planning and Strategy Division at 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro CA 90731.
Harbor Department staff may require additional documents or engineering information during the application process.
The APP Instruction Manual, which answers frequently asked questions, is available here.
If you have any questions, please email staff at [email protected]
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Permits
The Port of Los Angeles is a “No Drone Zone.” Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), commonly referred to as drones, are strictly prohibited for public use.
As defined in Los Angeles Municipal Code 63.44 (B) 8, no person shall land, take off or fly any balloon, except children’s toy balloons not inflated with any flammable material, helicopter, parakite, hang glider, aircraft or powered models thereof, except in areas specifically set aside for therefor.
Third parties may submit an application for drone use. Approval requires compliance with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements including having an FAA-certified operator for the drone. See “Application for Port Permits (APP) Process.”
As defined in Los Angeles Municipal Code 63.44 (B) 8, no person shall land, take off or fly any balloon, except children’s toy balloons not inflated with any flammable material, helicopter, parakite, hang glider, aircraft or powered models thereof, except in areas specifically set aside for therefor.
Third parties may submit an application for drone use. Approval requires compliance with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements including having an FAA-certified operator for the drone. See “Application for Port Permits (APP) Process.”
Vendor Permits
The Port’s Cargo and Industrial Real Estate Division issues vendor permits to catering trucks providing service to Port of Los Angeles tenants at the written request of the tenant. Vendors are required to operate within the tenant’s premises or directly outside of the premises. Requirements include written consent of a Harbor Department tenant, seller’s permit from the City of Los Angeles, general, fire legal liability, and automobile liability insurance, and County of Los Angeles health permit. The fee is $100 per month, per truck.
The Application for Vendor Permits can be found here.
The Application for Vendor Permits can be found here.