Street use and parking
Requests for a temporary special zone (TSZ) for filming or parking can be submitted online once filming at a particular location has been conditionally approved. Completed request must be received at least three full working days prior to the request and include:
- Parking map
- Parking details worksheet
Examples and templates of parking requests maps and worksheets are available for download once a film application has been approved.
Applications submitted without the above documents won't be considered complete.
Only vehicles essential to filming should be parked on the street. Non-essential vehicles should be parked off the street.
In some areas, crew and equipment may have to be shuttled from a remote location. Vehicles parked in contravention to the Street and Traffic By-law will be ticketed and may be impounded.
Bus zones, consul zones, loading zones, no stopping, and no parking, rush hour exemptions are not typically granted to film companies. Special arrangements can be made in certain cases, but only after discussion with the Vancouver Film and Special Events branch.
Drone permitting guidelines
Transport Canada External website, opens in new tab regulations and all Provincial and Federal privacy laws must be followed for all use of drones when filming in the City of Vancouver.
To get a film permit for the use of a drone, you will be required to get an aviation liability insurance in addition to the general liability insurance for filming. Your master film licence agreement will provide further details on these insurance requirements.
Flight path restrictions may also be imposed over certain areas and parks to protect wildlife; such as birds during nesting season.
Fire hydrant use permit
To use a hydrant you must have a temporary hydrant use permit. Apply for a permit and get information about fees and conditions
Vancouver Police Department - Traffic control
Vancouver Police will be required on set if there is a need for traffic control, weapons escort, or to otherwise ensure public safety.
Police officers can be booked through the Operational Planning Section of the Vancouver Police Department a minimum of two working days prior to film day. Requests can be made by contacting the Vancouver Police Department, Emergency and Operation Planning Section (EOPS):
All requests must include:
- Number of officers required, if any (subject to police review)
- Date and time (start and end)
- Meeting location
- Description of the exact duties the police officers are expected to perform
Stunts
For stunts that will have significant impact to traffic, businesses, or residents, the location manager must submit a detailed proposal at least 10 working days before the proposed filming date. The proposal must include a description of the stunts, including:
- The proposed location
- The date and time
- Any potential impacts on the neighbourhood
- Any potential noise
- Any potential traffic pattern changes
Send the proposal to:
- City Film and Special Events branch
- The Emergency Operational Planning Section of the Vancouver Police Department
- Coast Mountain Bus Company (if bus traffic is affected)
Site meeting
Once the location for the stunt has been approved by the City Film and Special Events branch, the location manager must arrange a site meeting as soon as possible. The following people should be at the meeting:
- The stunt coordinator
- The director or first assistant director
- The location manager
- A representative from the Vancouver Police Department
- A representative from the City Film and Special Events branch
- A representative from Creative BC
- A representative from any other public utility or service company that may be affected by the stunt
Approval
Approval for the stunt will only be granted after all identified issues have been adequately addressed by the film company. Police may be required to be on set depending on the impacts or public visibility issues. The on-set Police Officer will notify 9-1-1 operators immediately before the stunt takes place.
Special effects
The location manager must submit in writing a detailed description of the special effect at least 10 working days before the proposed filming date.
- The proposed location
- The date and time
- Any potential impacts on the neighbourhood
- Any potential noise
- Any potential traffic pattern changes
- Any potential smoke
Send the proposal to:
- The City Film and Special Events branch
- The Emergency Operational Planning Section of the Vancouver Police Department
- The Vancouver Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Office
The special effects coordinator must also submit a written descriptions of the materials and proposed methods, including the size and weight of each item to be used.
Send this description to:
- The Events Captain at the Vancouver Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Office
- The City Film and Special Events branch
- The Emergency Operational Planning Section of the Vancouver Police Department
If high explosives, such as black powder, are used, you must also send a copy of the description to the Explosives Regulatory Branch of Natural Resources Canada. The Fire Department will consult with the Explosives Branch.
In some circumstances, the special effects coordinator may be asked to submit a resume and references. The City Film and Special Events branch reserves the right to withhold permission from the special effects coordinator who does not provide sufficient proof of training and necessary experience.
Site meeting
Once the location for the special effect has been conditionally approved by the City Film and Special Events branch, the location manager must arrange a site meeting as soon as possible. The following people should be at the meeting:
- The special effect coordinator
- The director or first assistant director
- The location manager
- A representative from the Vancouver Fire Department
- A representative from the Vancouver Police Department
- A representative from the City Film and Special Events branch
- A representative from Creative BC
- A representative from any other public utility or service company that may be affected by the special effect
- A representative from the Explosives Branch of Natural Resources Canada, if high explosives are being used
- The property owner or their representative (if a building or structure is involved in the special effect)
Site requirements
If the effect is visible to the public OR if there is a loud noise or concussive effect associated with the special effect, Police must be on set. 9-1-1 operators must be notified by the Officer on set immediately before the effect takes place.
Fire Department crew and equipment may also be required on set.
If you need to build a temporary structure for filming, you must have a temporary development permit from the Development Services branch of the City of Vancouver. To get the permit, you must provide an engineer’s diagram of the structure and a letter of permission from the property owner.
Approval
If the special effect is expected to impact the area in a significant way, location managers may be required to poll the surrounding neighbourhood.
If an explosion, fire or smoke is involved with the special effect, once the City’s Film and Special Events branch has approved the special effect, the Fire Prevention office will issue a permit to the special effects coordinator. This permit is date and time specific and will list all the materials that have been approved. No materials or methods other than those approved by all parties in the planning process and shown on the permit are permitted.
Guns and gunfire
Vancouver Police are required on set for weapon escort whenever a gun is used for interior or exterior filming.
Only quarter-load gunfire is permitted in the City of Vancouver for both interior and exterior filming. Gunfire may be permitted during regular curfew hours in all areas of the city.
Vancouver Police may also be required on set for squib hits. Squib effects may not be louder than quarter-load gunfire sound.
Burning and explosives
When special effects involving burning or explosives are to be used, you must have a permit must from the Fire Prevention Division at #201 456 W Broadway, telephone 604-873-7595.
For example, a permit is required for the following situations:
- Open burning involving structures, vehicles, facades, wood products, and paper products (real or simulated) fueled by combustible material, flammable/combustible liquids, propane, or other materials used by the industry to create a fire effect. Fires that are contained entirely within a building and are not visible from the exterior do not require a permit; however, you must still have approval from the Fire Prevention Division.
- Use, transportation, or storage of any substance that is made or manufactured for the purpose of producing an explosion or use of any substance for the purpose of simulating an explosion. This includes, but is not limited to, substances such as black powder and mixes using black powder, dynamite, detonators, detonator cord, prima cord, fireworks, flares, rockets, and propellant powders.
Submit permit requests at least 10 days before the date of the event to allow time for an assessment and scheduling of standby crews and vehicles, if required.
Include the following information and items with your permit request:
- Date, time, and location of special effect.
- Detailed description of special effect including type and quantities of flammables, combustibles, and explosives to be used.
- Description of safety precautions to be employed.
- Letter of permission from the property owner where the special effect will take place (If located in a Vancouver park, include the appropriate Park Board permit) and written permission from owners of adjacent properties that may be directly affected.
- Proof of liability insurance.
- Resume of Special Events Coordinator (If they have no past experience working in Vancouver)
- A cheque for $200 payable to the City of Vancouver.
The permit will only be issued in the name of the person responsible for the design, assembly, and execution of the special effect and the permit must be signed by this person. Usually this is the Special Effects Coordinator.
If, as a condition of the permit, standby vehicles and crews are required to be on site, the Fire Prevention Office will make the necessary arrangements. A list of charges for equipment and personnel is available on request.
Use of Fire and Rescue Services equipment and personnel
If fire equipment or personnel are required for any reason other than as a condition of a permit, send a written request to the Deputy Chief Emergency Services Office at least 7 days before the event. The request should contain all pertinent details including the portion of the script in which personnel or equipment will appear.
Deputy Chief Emergency Services Office,
900 Heatley Ave
Vancouver, BC V6A 3S7
604-665-6041, fax 604-665-6016
Movie and special events equipment and staff rental rates
- Equipment and personnel must be booked for a minimum of 4 hours
- A 2 hour labour charge will be applied for cleaning equipment, if required (for example, hose change, refill SCBA etc.)
- Firehalls and Training Academy are available from 8am-5pm
- F.D.3 to be sent to D/C's office with list of member's names attending, equipment rented, account number, and name of film and contact
