[KHTS] – Santa Clarita Valley officials have annexed three more movie ranches into city’s Movie Ranch Overlay Zone.

The city has annexed three additional movie ranches into its Movie Ranch Overlay Zone (MROZ), including Blue Cloud Movie Ranch, 50’s Town, and Veluzat Movie Ranch, according to a news release from the city.

“Already one of the busiest film communities in Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita anticipates continued increases in filming as a result of the recent annexation,” said city officials.

In April 2013, the City became the first in Los Angeles County to create a MROZ as a way to support existing production and film businesses, while attracting new productions and film companies, according to a news release.

Filming at properties located within this Zone benefit from reduced-cost permits and expedited permit processing time, according to the news release. Sable Movie Ranch, Rancho Maria and A Rancho Deluxe were the first three ranches to be included in the MROZ last year.

“The film industry has been a part of Santa Clarita’s business community for more than a century,” said Mayor Laurene Weste.  “We are one of the busiest film communities in Los Angeles County, and are committed to developing innovative programs and incentives that help keep the State’s signature industry right here.”

The MROZ provides the film industry with stability and certainty of being able to film at these ranches now and in the future, according to a news release. The MROZ also demonstrates the City’s commitment to the film industry, providing an incentive for film productions to relocate to Santa Clarita.

About the Movie Ranches: 

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 and more than 20 sound stages.  In fiscal year 2013-2014, Santa Clarita set new film records with 1,370 film days representing an estimated $33.5 million in local economic impact from location filming alone.

August 2014 was another record-breaking month for the film office, with a 19 percent increase in film days and 43 percent increase in economic impact when compared to the year prior.

The City of Santa Clarita is currently home to some of television’s most-watched programming, including “NCIS,” “Switched at Birth,” “The Bridge,” “Chasing Life,” “Franklin and Bash,” “Justified,” “Utopia” and “Wipeout.”  For more information, please contact the Santa Clarita Film Office at 661-284-1425 or visit theirwebsite.