Types of film permits

Permits based on the type of film production activity

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  Motion picture production and still photography

  Permit required: Film permit (standard)

  You will need insurance and a film permit if your production:

  • Has equipment packages (anything more than hand-held camera, camera on tripod, or hand-held items, such as bounce-boards, boom mics, and more)
  • Requires street parking for production vehicles
  • Requires exclusive use of City property (except parks) as a film location
  • Uses prop weapons, prop vehicles, actors in police uniform, or stunts on set
  • Requires VPD or VFRS assistance Insurance is required

  Steps to getting a film permit

  Review film permit fees

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  Motion picture production and still photography on Park property

  Permit required: Park Board film permit

  If your motion picture production will require to use Park’s property for most film activity, it requires a separate or additional permit from the City’s standard film permit.

  Steps to getting a film permit

  Review film permit fees

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  Low impact motion picture production and still photography

  Permit required: Film permit (with ultra-low impact production declaration) 

  Ultra-low impact productions

  Ultra-low impact productions (are eligible for a reduction of 85% off the daily permit fee.

  Typically, ultra-low impact productions would be:

  • Still photo shoots
  • Short films
  • Documentaries
  • Music videos
  • B-rolls
  • Splinter units that have very small equipment packages and limited parking requirements or require exclusive use of City property for filming

  Reduced fees

  To get this reduced fee, you must:

  1. Complete the standard film application process
  2. Select “Ultra Low Impact Production” when prompted

  Note Final determination of qualification for this reduced fee will be determined by when your application is reviewed.

  Steps to getting a film permit

  Review film permit fees

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  Student motion picture production and still photography

  Permit required: Film permit (student production rate)

  Student production rate

  A student production rate is for students working on projects as part of their coursework while attending an accredited local educational institution.

  Educational institute requirements

  Educational institutes must have:

  • An annual master agreement
  • Valid insurance

  Note The student production rate is available for both City and Park’s property.

  Learn about filming on City or Park's property

  Steps to getting a film permit

  Review film permit fees

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  Using a drone

  Possible permit required: Film permit (use of drone’s declaration)

  Note We don't directly permit drone use. It is regulated by Transport Canada.

  When you plan to use a drone as part of filming

  If you use a drone as a part of filming, you must:

  • Check "drone use" when prompted during your film permit application
  • Follow all Transport Canada Guidelines and any other permit terms and conditions

  Note If you plan to use a drone on Park property, you'll need to provide more information before we can approve your film permit.

  Note There may be flight path restrictions in some areas and parks to protect wildlife, like birds during nesting season.

  Insurance required if using a drone as part of filming

  You must have valid aviation liability insurance, along with general liability insurance for filming.

  Steps to getting a film permit