West Hollywood Weighs Ordinance to Keep Studios

The city has asked staff to draft rules aimed at retaining movie studio space as at least one soundstage closes.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Film — General

Corrugated-metal soundstage building with a closed roll-up door, equipment cases and a light stand on the pavement, under warm golden-hour light beside a palm tree. — West Hollywood directed city staff in October 2025 to draft an ordinance aimed at keeping movie studios operating after Quixote Studios began winding down its Fuller Avenue soundstage. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of West Hollywood directed staff in October 2025 to explore how to keep movie studios operating in the city. The effort follows Quixote Studios telling clients it was winding down its soundstage on Fuller Avenue.

Why it matters

Studio space supports film production and related local jobs, and losing soundstages can push filming to other cities. Any rules the city adopts would need to comply with state housing law.

The Lot at Santa Monica and Formosa operates seven soundstages, the largest studio cluster cited in the reporting. The source does not provide production volume, budget, or occupancy figures for the city's studios.

The players

Helen Krieger

Helen Krieger is a West Hollywood political figure who held the studio town hall and is projected to win a seat on the City Council.

Quixote Studios

Quixote Studios is a film production facility whose wind-down of its Fuller Avenue soundstage prompted the city's review.

The details

Staff was directed to write an ordinance and consult people who run studios in the city. The city is gathering input from studio owners, workers and nearby residents through its Engage WeHo platform, and Councilmember Helen Krieger held a town hall titled 'Film Here, Work Here' at The Lot in July.

October 2025: City directed staff to explore keeping movie studios in town.
April 2026: Quixote Studios told clients it was winding down its soundstage.
July: Helen Krieger held the 'Film Here, Work Here' town hall at The Lot.

Industry Dynamics

West Hollywood's effort sits alongside competition from Los Angeles and Culver City, which also compete for filming permits. Keeping soundstages in use is one way the city seeks to hold production that might otherwise relocate.

Residents can share input on the studio effort through the city's Engage WeHo platform. The outcome may affect where local productions film and how easily residents encounter filming activity in their neighborhoods.

The takeaway

Studio space is a local asset that shapes where productions choose to shoot. Residents, workers and studio operators can weigh in while the city drafts its approach.