Commercial filming and photography

1. Book an appointment in advance to view VanDusen Botanical Garden during operating hours, free of charge. Book an appointment by calling 604-257-8661 or emailing vandusenrentals@vancouver.ca.
2. Complete an application form PDF file (281 KB)
   • Attach a $1,000 reservation fee cheque and a $5,000 damage deposit cheque payable to: City of Vancouver – VanDusen Botanical Garden, GST# R121 361 042
   • Include a copy of insurance and provide it to Jennifer Cooper at VanDusen Botanical Garden

A permit is required and will be issued to you once your booking is approved. Allow 3 to 5 business days to process an application.

Information icon Liaison supervision required during duration of shoot.

Reservation fee and damage deposit

The reservation fee cheque will be applied toward the booking. The deposit cheque will not be cashed and will be returned to you upon payment of your invoice following completion of filming, should there be no damage to the garden. The rental fee is required per calendar day or portion thereof and is applicable to all prep, filming, and wrap days for the garden.

Rates are subject to 5% GST.

Important information

• Areas where filming is not permitted:
  • Meditation Garden in the Sino-Himalayan area
  • Inside garden beds
• Areas with special filming restrictions (inquire for more details):
  • Visitor Centre and Floral Hall Buildings
  • Stone Garden/Former reservoir under the in the Sino-Himalayan area
  • Stand of Douglas firs on the south side of Heron Lake west of the Heather Garden

1. The User will inform all residents of the adjacent street in advance of the days of shooting.
2. If special sound or light effects are used (example: gun fire, loud music, daylight at night), the User must inform the adjacent residents of these prior to filming.
3. All parking must be on West 37th Ave (City permit required). Some limited parking may be available in the Service Yard at the discretion of the Garden Foreman or his designate. The southwest corner of our parking lot may also be available for rent based on availability for $350/day in off peak season, or $500/day from April-September (all fees subject to change and GST).
4. During prep and filming a sign must be placed on the pathways informing garden visitors that filming is in progress. The User staff is expected to treat garden visitors in a courteous and respectful manner.
5. The main roadways in the garden must be kept clear as much as possible to allow our regular work vehicles to move about.
6. Small golf carts or gators are allowed for transport of equipment or personnel within the garden. Vehicles are not allowed to leave the paved paths and must be operated at a safe and slow speed that respects the garden and its visitors. Any vehicles parked on turf areas must be on plywood.
7. All delivery trucks making deliveries for the User and not part of the regular crew, or contracted to outside suppliers, must know exactly where they are going before entering the garden and must be escorted in and out of the garden by a crew member. There are no exceptions to this regulation.
8. Refreshment area location will be chosen by mutual consent with the Garden Superintendent/ Liaison. Catering vehicles must remain on paved areas or on plywood sheeting.
9. All stipulations under Sensitive Area Protection must be adhered to.
10. Crews are not allowed to enter planted beds. Do not remove any silver plant tags which are wired on. Black plant labels may only be removed with permission of, and under the supervision of, the Garden Superintendent or liaison.
11. No plants will be pruned without permission of, and under the supervision of, the Garden Superintendent or liaison.
12. There is to be no digging in the garden because of possible damage to the garden’s extensive irrigation system.  Spikes or sunken poles are not allowed in any areas. All structures must be secured above ground (with blocks or other).
13. The User will be charged for the costs of restoration of any disturbed and/or damaged areas or plants to the condition in which they were prior to filming. In the event of a disagreement, the Park Board will decide in its reasonable judgment.
14. Filming can only take place in one area of the garden at a time. If multiple units wish to film in the garden simultaneously in different areas, then double rental fees apply.
15. Depending on complexity of the shoot, multiple film liaisons may be required to monitor filming activity.
16. Garden Superintendent or liaison must be present in the garden during all prep, filming, and wrap.
17. The Vancouver Park Board does not allow the use of drones anywhere in the garden due to wildlife and general public concerns. We cannot risk disturbance or damage to migratory birds and other wildlife in their natural breeding habitat and feeding grounds within the garden, as well as patron privacy.
18. Social distancing plan and contact list for all cast and crew that comes on site is required for contact tracing purposes.

1. Complete an application form PDF file (217 KB)
   • Attach a $1,000 deposit cheque payable to: City of Vancouver – VanDusen Botanical Garden, GST # R121 361 042
   • Include a copy of insurance
2. Email above documents to vandusenrentals@vancouver.ca 

A permit is required and will be issued to you once your booking is approved.

To arrange a time to scout, email vandusenrentals@vancouver.ca to book an appointment.

Information icon Liaison supervision required during duration of shoot.

Damage deposit and cancellation fee

The damage deposit cheque will not be cashed and will be returned to you upon payment of your invoice following completion of your shoot.

There is a $1,000 cancellation fee plus any scheduled supervisory charges if filming is cancelled for any reason without 2 days advance notice.

Rates subject to 5% GST.

Additional fees:

• For complex shoots or outside of regular business hours, garden superintendent or designate time may be required at $150/hour
• Additional fees may apply should a specific area of the garden need to be blocked off for the shoot, or depending on complexities of the request
• Higher staffing fees will apply if shooting on weekend or Statutory holidays
• Special permission or additional fees required to shoot in the following areas:
  • Hedge Maze
  • Laburnum Walk during bloom season (Late April through May)
  • The stand of old-growth Douglas firs on the south west side of Heron Lake

Photography is not permitted in the following areas:

• Meditation Garden in the Sino-Himalayan area
• Inside planted beds

1. Special permission required for vehicles of any kind to enter the garden.
2. No one (photographer or models) permitted to enter plant beds. No exceptions. Even if a bed looks empty, you do not know what is lying dormant beneath the surface. Standing on a bed compacts the soil and could kill or seriously damage dormant plant life
3. Equipment of any kind (stands, tripods) is not allowed in plant beds and must remain on pathways or lawn areas. No exceptions. Even if a bed looks empty, you do not know what is lying dormant beneath the surface. Standing on a bed compacts the soil and could kill or seriously damage dormant plant life.
4. Do not remove any silver plant tags which are wired on. Black plant labels may only be removed with the permission of the Garden Superintendent/Designate or Garden Liaison.
5. There is to be no digging in the garden and equipment on stakes are also not allowed; they may damage our extensive underground irrigation system.
6. No plants will be pruned, trimmed, or removed without permission and under the supervision of the Garden Superintendent/Designate.
7. The Garden Superintendent or Garden Liaison must be present for duration of all photo shoots.
8. The Vancouver Park Board does not allow the use of drones anywhere in the garden due to wildlife and general public concerns. We cannot risk disturbance or damage to migratory birds and other wildlife in their natural breeding habitat and feeding grounds within the garden, as well as patron privacy.
9. It is requested that a location credit be given to VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, BC.
10. Social distancing plan and contact list for all cast and crew that comes on site is required for contact tracing purposes.

We are pleased to offer a new, COVID-19 friendly, photography package with exclusive access to the garden. This is the perfect package for couples looking to take photos in popular areas of the garden without having to worry about other visitors in the background. A staff member will accompany you and will be able to provide recommendations on garden locations in bloom at the time of your shoot.

To learn more or book your date, email vandusengroupphotos@vancouver.ca one month before your photo session.

At this time, elopements are not permitted and group photography is not permitted during regular garden hours. Group photography includes photo shoots for weddings, engagements, family groups, and graduations.

Information icon Liaison supervision required during duration of shoot.

1. During public garden hours, do not block pathways or take photos in an area that would limit other visitors and staff from being able to pass by with a minimum 2-metre (or 6-foot) distance.
2. During public garden hours, all tri-pods must be on grass areas and off pathways. Do not place tri-pods in garden beds.
3. Do not stand or walk through the garden beds.
4. Drone photography and videography is not permitted.
5. Be respectful of all 1-way path directions.
6. Props, furniture (chairs, arbours, tables, sound system) and pets are not permitted.