Open 24/7 · Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County

(323) 997-8867
Crenshaw Lock

Master Key System in Burbank · 24/7 mobile

Master Key System in Burbank, California

Crenshaw Lock Company designs and installs master key and restricted key systems with real key control for Burbank businesses and property owners. We are fully mobile and available 24/7, and we come to you. Call (323) 997-8867 to plan a system that fits your doors and your people.

  • Mobile to your Burbank location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
Call (323) 997-8867or tap to call — we answer 24/7
Large ring of master system keys with colored key caps
Open now(323) 997-8867

A master key system sounds simple: one key opens many doors, and other keys open only some. In practice, a good system is a piece of planning. Someone has to decide who needs access to what, how many levels of access the building really requires, and what happens when a key goes missing or a crew member leaves. Done well, it saves everyone from a ring of twenty keys. Done badly, it quietly weakens every lock it touches.

Burbank is a city where this matters more than most. Between the production offices of the Media District, the aluminum-storefront strips along Magnolia Boulevard and Olive Avenue, and the studio-adjacent businesses that orbit Warner Bros. Studios and Walt Disney Studios, many sites see steady turnover of crew, contractors, vendors and tenants. Every one of those people can end up holding a key, and every key is a question about who can get in.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, led by owner and lead technician David Shar. We are a mobile-only operation with no storefront, so the work happens on your site, after we have looked at your actual doors, hardware and daily routines. This page explains how we approach master key and restricted key systems in Burbank, what drives the scope, and what to ask before you commit.

How it works in Burbank

  1. 1

    Walk the site and list every opening

    We start by visiting the property and identifying every door, gate, cabinet and storage space that should be keyed. We note the existing hardware, its condition, and whether it can accept a master-keyed cylinder. Older mortise sets, storefront deadbolts and gate locks each have their own limits.

  2. 2

    Map who needs access to what

    Next we sit down with you to define access levels: a top master, perhaps department or zone masters, and individual keys for specific rooms. For a production office, that might mean separating stages, edit bays, equipment cages and general office space. We keep the structure as simple as the operation allows.

  3. 3

    Design the keying hierarchy and choose a key control level

    We lay out the key system on paper, including how many levels it needs and room for future expansion. We then discuss whether a standard keyway is enough or a restricted keyway makes sense, so that copies can only be made with authorization rather than at any hardware counter.

  4. 4

    Install and rekey the hardware

    We bring the cylinders and tools to your site and install or rekey the locks, testing each key against every door it should and should not open. Where a lock cannot be made to fit the system safely, we tell you and propose a replacement rather than forcing it.

  5. 5

    Document the system and hand over keys

    You receive an organized record of the hierarchy and which keys were issued. We explain how to log key assignments, how to handle a lost key, and how to add doors later without compromising the structure.

  6. 6

    Support changes as your team turns over

    Crews finish, tenants move out and managers change. When it happens, we can rekey affected doors or extend the system. Because we work 24/7 and come to you, an urgent access change does not have to wait for a store to open.

Need master key system in Burbank?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

What affects the price

  • The number of doors, gates and other openings that need to be keyed into the system.
  • How many access levels the hierarchy requires, such as a grand master, zone masters and individual keys.
  • Whether you choose a restricted keyway with controlled duplication, which is a higher level of key control than a standard keyway.
  • The condition and type of existing hardware, since worn or incompatible locks may need replacement instead of rekeying.
  • The grade and style of locks you want, from standard commercial cylinders to higher-security or access-control-ready hardware.
  • How many keys you need cut and issued, and whether the work is planned in advance or an urgent after-hours change.

Why Burbank chooses us

  • Fully mobile service: we come to your office, stage, shop or property, so the design is based on the doors you actually have.
  • In business since 1987, with owner David Shar personally involved in how systems are planned.
  • We design for the people using the system, not just the hardware, because most problems come from unclear access rules.
  • We tell you honestly when a lock should be replaced rather than stretched into a system it cannot support safely.
  • Available 24/7, which matters when crew turnover or a lost key means access needs to change right away.
  • We hand over clear documentation so you can manage keys yourself instead of depending on us for every small question.

Master Key System across Burbank

In Burbank, master key work tends to fall into a few recognizable patterns. In the Media District, production offices and small studios in commercial strips often have glass-and-aluminum storefront doors, back-of-house equipment rooms and shared suites. Crew turnover is constant, so a hierarchy that separates general office access from equipment and storage areas, backed by a rekey whenever a project wraps, is usually more practical than handing out the same key to everyone. Businesses near ZIP 91505 and 91522, close to the major studio campuses, often ask about restricted keyways so that keys cannot be copied casually.

Magnolia Park and the Magnolia Boulevard antique row present a different challenge. Many 1920s to 1940s Spanish and California bungalows still carry original mortise and skeleton-key hardware, and small shops along the boulevard often occupy similar older buildings. In ZIP 91506 and 91501, owners frequently want a consistent key arrangement across a main door, side gate and storage room without damaging vintage doors. Where mortise locks can be rekeyed and paired with a modern Grade 1 deadbolt, we try to preserve the original look.

The Rancho District adds its own needs: gated horse properties with barns, stables and tack rooms where padlocks corrode and driveway gate locks wear out. A keyed-alike or master-keyed arrangement can let an owner carry one key for the gate and tack room while giving a trainer or farrier access to only part of the property. Whether you are near Hollywood Burbank Airport, off Hollywood Way, or just off the I-5 or SR-134, we travel to you. We are mobile only, with no storefront, so call (323) 997-8867 to start.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

Other Burbank locksmith services

See all of our Burbank services, or our citywide master key system page.

Master Key System in Burbank — FAQs

What is a master key system?
It is a keying design in which each lock has its own key, and one or more higher-level master keys open several locks. It lets managers carry fewer keys while still limiting what each person can open. Call (323) 997-8867 to talk through what structure fits your Burbank property.
Can my existing locks be turned into a master key system?
Often yes, if the cylinders are compatible and in good condition. Some older or worn locks cannot be master-keyed reliably, and we will say so and suggest replacements for those doors only.
What is a restricted keyway and do I need one?
A restricted keyway uses a blank that is not sold openly, so copies require authorization. It is worth considering for studios, production offices and any site where uncontrolled copying is a concern. A standard keyway may be fine for lower-risk spaces.
We have a lot of crew turnover. How should we handle keys?
Design the hierarchy so temporary staff only receive access to the areas they need, keep a written log of issued keys, and rekey affected doors when a project ends or a key is not returned. We can set that up and help with rekeys when needed.
Can you work on older Magnolia Park bungalow doors?
Yes. Original mortise hardware can often be rekeyed, and a modern Grade 1 deadbolt can be added in a way that respects the vintage door. We look at each door before recommending anything.
Can a master key system include gates and padlocks, like on Rancho District properties?
Yes. Gate locks and compatible padlocks can be keyed into a system, so one key can cover the driveway gate and tack room while other keys have narrower access. Corroded hardware may need replacing first.
Do you offer after-hours service?
We are available 24/7 and fully mobile. If you need an urgent rekey after a termination or lost key, call (323) 997-8867 and we will discuss the situation.
Do I need to visit a shop to arrange this?
No. Crenshaw Lock Company is mobile only and has no storefront. We come to your Burbank location, assess the doors, and carry out the work on site.
DS

Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-12.

Call (323) 997-8867 · Open 24/7