The role of the Vancouver Film Office

The Vancouver Film Office was established in 1980 to facilitate on-location filming, protect the rights and interests of neighbourhoods, and to ensure public safety. A branch of the City of Vancouver's Engineering Department, the Film Office helps production companies access City services and obtain the proper permits and authorizations to film on City streets or property.

The Vancouver Film Office works with location managers to make the process as easy as possible. With the rapid growth of the film industry in Vancouver over the past two decades, the Vancouver Film Office has handled the filming needs of productions ranging from commercials and small independent films to television series and feature films. Staff are familiar with the needs of the film industry and the structure of the City, and aim to balance a production's requirements with the needs of Vancouver's residents.

Whenever a production company's on-location filming will have any impact on public property or the surrounding neighbourhood, a permit to film is required. The following document provides film industry professionals with the procedures for obtaining permits to film within the City of Vancouver. The City of Vancouver Filming Guidelines (PDF 35kb) are the foundation on which the policies that are outlined in this document have been based.

Where to begin?