What We Do
We are responsible for ensuring that services provided at theaters are safe, sanitary, and free from imminent health and safety hazards. The Theater Inspection Program conducts routine annual inspections and complaint investigations at theater premises that are not required to have a food facility (restaurant) Public Health Permit. This protects consumers and workers' health and safety and limits the potential for disease to spread. Inspectors in this program act under the authority of Los Angeles County Code Titles 8 and 11.
The Theater Inspection Program is managed by the District Inspection (DI) Branch. It is deployed throughout Los Angeles County by twenty-nine DSE district offices spread across all geographic areas.
All theaters within Los Angeles County are required to apply for a Theatre Public Health Permit if the facility does not fit into the food facility (restaurant) permit category.
How to open a business
To open a theatre in any part of Los Angeles County, you must apply for a Theater Public Health Permit and be approved to operate by your local District Surveillance and Enforcement Branch (DSE) office.
You will be asked to provide business or individual identity documents, such as a Business License, Seller's Permit, Articles of Incorporation, or California ID, depending on the nature of your business.
The Theatre Public Health Permit is not transferrable and must be renewed annually.
For more information on requirements and how to apply, see below and contact your local District Offices. You can find your District Offices address and contact information by calling (888)700-9995 or visiting our District Offices page.
Applications and Information
Theater Inspections
If you would like to know about how our we inspect theaters, please visit our Theater Inspection page for more details.
If you are interested in opening a theater business in Los Angeles County, contact your local District Offices.
Los Angeles County Code Title 8, Section 8.04.460 defines a theater as follows:
- "Theater" means any building, room, or place where any play, motion picture, concert, opera, circus, trick or jugglery show, or gymnastic exhibition is held, given or shown, and where an admission fee is charged.
- For fee purposes, "theater" shall not include cafes, nightclubs, and similar establishments which have a valid restaurant public health permit and where the seats for the audience are counted in computing the restaurant public health permit fee.
- A "theater" may, however, have a snack bar or a refreshment stand without being classified as a restaurant if no food items are prepared on the premises.
Report a Problem
Complaints about a theater can be filed by calling the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) at (888) 700-9995 or Filing a Complaint Online. DPH will not ask about your immigration status, and you can file complaints anonymously.
You can report to Public Health if theaters do not:
- Control pests like rats, mice, and cockroaches
- Dispose of wastewater through an approved system
- Ensure sanitary conditions inside the facility
- Have clean bathrooms with soap, water, toilet paper, and hand towels
- Have hot and cold running water
- Maintain toilet rooms that are well ventilated and lighted, or are missing supplies
- Take steps to prevent all imminent health and safety hazards as defined in the California Health and Safety Code
Contact Us
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm
Tel: (888) 700-9995
Fax: (626) 813-4833
For local district offices contact information, please visit our
District Offices Page
for complete contact information.
Contact your local District Inspection Branch (DI) office for more information. A list of District offices, addresses, and contact information can be found on our District Offices page. Call us at (888)700-9995 to find out more.