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425 S. Palos Verdes Street,
San Pedro, California USA 90731
Phone: (310) 732-3508
Email: community@portla.org

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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.

Ballast Water Permits
To request a ballast water permit the requestor must submit a formal letter with signature on company letterhead via email to laportpdrecords@portla.org. The following information should be included in the letter:
 
  1. Company Name
  2. Company’s point of contact information
  3. Subject with vessel name
  4. Estimated date/time of arrival to the Port of Los Angeles
  5. Vessel details:
    1. Berthing location
    2. Vessel Name
    3. Flag
    4. IMO#
    5. Official#
    6. Call Sign
  6. Return information
  7. Signature
If approved, permit will be sent to the requestor via email.
Commercial fishing on Port property is by permit only. This permit process applies to commercial fishing vessels only. Please contact the Port's Wharfinger Division at (310) 732-3810 for more information. (No fishing license is required on the Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier, which is open to the public.)
 
Please use permits.portoflosangeles.org and select the "Fishing" application. Please be prepared to provide the following:
 
  1. Proof of vessel registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or United States Coast Guard (USCG).
  2. Proof of vessel registration with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW).
  3. Proof of personal license registration with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW).
  4. Fish report from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW).
  5. Proof of valid vessel insurance.
  6. List of all authorized persons allowed on vessel (first and last names).
  7. License plate numbers, make, model, year, and color for all vehicles needing parking permits.
If you have any questions, please email staff at WharfingerClerical@portla.org
 
Construction, Repairs, and Demolition on Port Property
All projects conducted in the Port of Los Angeles (Harbor District) must be reviewed by the Harbor Department and any required permits must be issued prior to project implementation. To facilitate that review, the Harbor Department requires applicants to complete and submit the Application for Port Permit (APP) form, along with all other required attachments.
 
Applicants should submit APPs via email via developmentpermits@portla.org. If you are unsure if your activity is a project that requires a permit, or you have any other questions, including a request to schedule a pre-application meeting, you may contact developmentpermits@portla.org with your inquires.
 
Prospective tenants should contact the Harbor Department’s Real Estate Division at REDclerical@portla.org prior to submitting an APP.
 
 
Depending on the type of project and responses to the questions in the APP form, you may need to include the following:

1. Project Location Aerial Map
2. Site Plan or Plot Plan
3. Written Project Description
4. Business References
5. Credit References
6. Financial Statements for the preceding 2 fiscal years
7. Resume of prospective tenant’s experience in the industry related to this request
8. City of Los Angeles Business License (Business Tax Registration Certificate)
9. Electronic copies of engineering drawings, calculations, and any other related engineering documents, signed and stamped by a State of California-licensed engineer
***Hard copies of the engineering documents may be requested by Port staff during the permitting process.
 
For large projects, applicants may be asked to complete the Supplemental Environmental Form for additional environmental review.
 
If the required documents are too large to submit via email, please contact developmentpermits@portla.org to set up a secure file transfer.
 
If you have any questions, please email staff at developmentpermits@portla.org.
Dangerous Cargo Permits
No person may handle, transport, load, discharge, stow, store, or retain any class of explosives on any vessel, lighter or barge, or any dock or wharf, or in any transit shed, in Los Angeles Harbor, without applying for a Dangerous Cargo Permit, per Port of Los Angeles Tarfiff No. 4. These permits are subject to the approval of the 
Los Angeles Fire Department.
 
Please use permits.portoflosangeles.org and select the “Dangerous Cargo” application. 
 
For more information, please contact the Los Angeles Port Police Hazardous Materials Unit at hazmat@portla.org or call (310) 732-7633.
 
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 diver permit. All requirements are outlined in the diver 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.
 
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.
 
Drones for Commercial Film and Photography use may be allowed. Please see the FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHY section below.
 
All other Drone usage (i.e., for construction activity or terminal related projects) should submit inquiries to developmentpermits@portla.org. Approval requires compliance with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements including having an FAA-certified operator for the drone.
 
Applications must be received at least three (3) weeks prior to the desired drone flight date(s).
 
Please use permits.portoflosangeles.org and select the “Host an Event” application. In the “Activities/Equipment” section of the application, please remember to mark “Use of Aircraft.” The application will ask you to upload documents before submitting.
 
 
Please include the following in your attachments:

1. Site Location Aerial Map (include the dimensions of flight area being requested)
2. Copy of Pilot’s U.S. Pilot’s License
3. Copy of Pilot’s U.S. Driver’s License
4. Proof of Insurance
 
Upon reviewing your submitted application, Port staff may ask you to submit additional information. Please be advised a minimum Port Police escort fee of $448 will be incurred at time of flight. If you have any questions, please email staff at developmentpermits@portla.org.
 
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) Event Form.
 
Applicants should submit APPs via email via developmentpermits@portla.org. If you are unsure if your activity is a project that requires a permit, or you have any other questions, including a request to schedule a pre-application meeting, you may contact developmentpermits@portla.org with your inquiries.
 
You may check location availability by contacting the Harbor Department’s Real Estate Division at REDclerical@portla.org prior to submitting an APP.
 
Applications must be received at least three (3) weeks prior to the desired event date(s) for small events. Large events may require a minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) weeks submittal prior to the event.
 
Film and Photography Permits
All filming and photography on Port property require pre-approval from the Port’s Wharfinger Division. Please contact the Port's Wharfinger Division at (310) 732-3810 before taking any photos or filming on Port property.
 
Film and Photography Permit Process 
 
Please use permits.portoflosangeles.org and select the “Film & Photography” application. Please be prepared to provide the following:
 
1. Desired filming locations
2. Crew Parking and/or Base Camp locations
 
If you have any questions, please email staff at WharfingerClerical@portla.org

Other Permits, Fees and Insurance
 
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.
 
Insurance is required for all filming activities at the Port of Los Angeles and must be approved prior to the start of filming. The City of Los Angeles Harbor Department Insurance Guidelines for Film Permits lists the types of coverages that may be required for your production/photography. Please allow seven business days for insurance approval and factor that timing into your production start date. 

Media Filming
 
Media who wish to obtain their own photos/footage of the Port of Los Angeles should contact the Port’s Media Relations Division at (310) 732-0430, or by email at polanews@portla.org. Click here for more information. 
 
Media includes, journalists (including freelancers), photographers, videographers, filmmakers and/or production companies interested in filming the Port of Los Angeles as the subject of a documentary.
 
The Port of Los Angeles does not provide or arrange access to secure cargo terminals for the purposes of touring, filming or photography.
 
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 work 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. To apply for a hot work permit, the requestor must:

1. Appear in person at the Front Desk of the Port Police Headquarters building at 330 South Centre Street, San Pedro, CA 90731.

2. The requestor must be prepared to provide the following information:

          -Name
          -Permittee (name of permit holder/owner of company)
          -Address of Business
          -Contact phone number
          -Job site (one permit will be issued even if there are multiple job sites within the Port of Los Angeles)
          -Berth Number (if applicable)
          -Type of work (welding, cutting, burning, steam cleaning, maintenance and repair)

3. Three (3) copies of the permit will be issued to the requestor to be taken to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Office for final approval.

          -One (1) Copy for permittee
          -One (1) Copy for LAFD Fire Prevention Office, located at 638 Beacon Street, San Pedro, CA 90731, Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (310) 732-4580 for more info.
          -One (1) Copy will be mailed back to the Los Angeles Port Police by the LAFD.

Leasing Port Property
Projects must be vetted through your assigned property manager before application submission. If you do not know who your property manager is, email REDclerical@portla.org.
 
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 Form is available below, and along with all required attachments, should be submitted to developmentpermits@portla.org. 

Prospective Tenants
 
 
Please be prepared to submit the following:

1. Property Location Aerial Map
2. Site Plan/Plot Plan (include the dimensions of the property being requested)
3. Business References
4. Credit References
5. Financial Statements for the preceding 2 fiscal years
6. Resume of prospective tenant’s experience in the industry related to this request
7. City of Los Angeles Business License (Business Tax Registration Certificate)

If the request for property involves proposing modifications to the existing conditions of said property (i.e. construction, demolition, installation of fencing, lighting, other equipment, etc.), electronic copies of engineering drawings, calculations, and any other related engineering documents*, signed and stamped by a State of California-licensed engineer may also be required.

***Hard copies of the engineering documents may be requested by Port staff during the permitting process.

For large projects, applicants may be asked to complete the Supplemental Environmental Form for additional environmental review.

If you have any questions, please email staff at developmentpermits@portla.org.
 
 
Current Tenants
 
 
Please be prepared to submit the following:

1. Property Location Aerial Map
2. Site Plan/Plot Plan (include the dimensions of the property being requested)

If the request for property involves proposing modifications to the existing conditions of said property (i.e. construction, demolition, installation of fencing, lighting, other equipment, etc.), electronic copies of engineering drawings, calculations, and any other related engineering documents, signed and stamped by a State of California-licensed engineer may also be required.

***Hard copies of the engineering documents may be requested by Port staff during the permitting process.
 
For large projects, applicants may be asked to complete the Supplemental Environmental Form for additional environmental review.
 
If you have any questions, please email staff at developmentpermits@portla.org.
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.

Notice to Los Angeles Harbor Department Industry Professionals

If you are compensated to interact with the Los Angeles Harbor Department, City law may require you to register as a lobbyist and report your activity. Any individual may qualify as a lobbyist, regardless of occupation, education, training, or professional title. A lobbyist may hold a position that includes but is not limited to attorney, CEO, consultant, government liaison, business owner, permit applicant, urban planners, expediters, land developers, various real estate specialists and others. More information is available online through the Ethics Commission’s lobbying program and publication pages. For assistance, please contact the Ethics Commission.