Restricted locations
Restricted locations ("hotspots" or "sensitive spots") are high-demand locations which limit how often filming is allowed. Some locations have limits year-round, while other locations change as demand changes.
Information icon Check with the Film and Special Events Officer assigned to your project before scouting, as the locations that are "hot" or "sensitive" can change on very short notice.
Some locations are extremely popular choices for filming. In an attempt to minimize the disruption to residents and business, these locations have restrictions on how frequently filming is allowed.
What are hot locations?
Hot locations have reached the limit of filming permits that will be issued for a while. No new permits will be issued at or around these locations until the City Film and Special Events branch staff decide otherwise.
What are sensitive locations?
Sensitive locations are nearing the limit of filming permits that will be issued for that area.
Consider if polling is required
We require film companies to poll a neighbourhood when:
- Filming activities will be particularly invasive to a neighbourhood (for example, a major special effect)
- A location will be used for filming on more than separate one occasion
Alert icon If this is likely, contact the Film and Special Events Officer assigned to you as early as possible. These situations require more lead time and will likely also require a community meeting.
- Scenes to be filmed require more hours of daylight or darkness during the City's filming curfew hours. The filming curfew applies to the entire city, not just residential areas.
Alert icon Approval to poll for an extension to the filming curfew will be granted only when all other avenues have been exhausted. Extensions will not be granted to accommodate a production’s “slipping” schedule. All requests for an extension to the curfew will be considered on an individual basis.
The polling guidelines PDF file (430 KB) have detailed information and sample letters for your reference.
Important note Polling results must be submitted along with a polling results map. Refer to our map style guide PDF file (1 MB) for examples on how your map should be formatted
Catering and craft services
The placement of catering and craft service facilities is a sensitive issue in some areas of Vancouver, especially in neighbourhoods where poverty and homelessness are prevalent.
There are some areas in which preparation and consumption of food must not be visible to the public. As well, cast and crew may be required to cover their food when walking from the catering facilities to an eating area.
Consult with the film coordinator assigned to your project regarding the placement of catering and craft service facilities.
Pedestrian traffic
Pedestrians may be delayed on a sidewalk for short periods to ensure public safety or continuity of the scene being filmed. Unless approved by the City Film and Special Events branch, sidewalks are to remain open for regular pedestrian use. Pedestrians should not be directed to walk on the road.
If a sidewalk closure has been approved, production assistants at both ends of the closed block should direct pedestrians to the opposite sidewalk. All wires, cables, and hoses that cross a sidewalk must be covered with a protective mat or ramp to minimize the risk of tripping. Storing equipment on the sidewalks is discouraged.
Vehicle traffic
All production vehicles are required to follow the regulations as set out in:
- The BC Motor Vehicle Act
- Our Street and Traffic By-law 2849
- Our Traffic Management's traffic control requirements
Approval for any work that will impact use of the road must be received from the City Film and Special Events branch prior to booking police officers for traffic control. In general, intermittent traffic control of up to three minutes per ten minute period is permitted on most streets outside of rush hours and other heavy volume periods.
Pre-approved traffic control will always be up to the discretion of the officers assigned. In cases where public safety may be compromised or traffic volumes are unexpectedly high, filming activities will be curtailed.
