City Guide Filming in Hamilton, ON
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by the Film Office
- Film Permit Application Fee: $65
Minimum Insurance
- Third-party liability insurance
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Hamilton
Hamilton may be well known as the Steel Capital of Canada because more than half of the country’s steel is produced there. However, the city also has a cinematic soul! Located 36 miles southwest of Toronto and an hour’s drive from the US border, accessibility is one of the things that makes Hamilton an attractive destination for filmmakers. Moreover, you can enter the city by air, rail, road, and port, so you never have to worry about how to get your production cast and crew here because you have different options and get to choose how you move.
There are plenty of reasons to film in Hamilton, and these have made the city a top destination for production companies from within and outside the North American continent. First and foremost, the city features a wide range of locations and neighborhoods that represent different eras with modern and old architectures. Here, filmmakers get to enjoy both the small-town feel and the urban/city landscape. Hamilton has also stood in for towns in other countries, because the locales in the city easily double as many other locations.
As a filmmaker that chooses to do business in Hamilton, another enticing thing about the city is the tax credit that production teams enjoy. Besides that, the city is home to lots of film-friendly businesses that offer resources and equipment that make production a seamless exercise. You can enjoy access to studios, equipment rentals, special effects, and VFX services, if required. There’s so much talent in the city too, so you will get that if needed.
Since filming began here in the mid-1900s, filmmakers have been enjoying memorable experiences because everything always comes together to make production hitch-free in Hamilton. Check out some of the recent projects like The Boys, Locke & Key, The Umbrella Academy, The Handmaid's Tale, Titans (I), The Man from Toronto, Fringe, Nightmare Alley, and The Queen's Gambit to see what Hamilton offers. Find the location for your next production in Hamilton now using Giggster, because nothing is stopping you from enjoying these benefits too.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Hamilton?
Whether you plan to film on private property or public property in the city of Hamilton, the first thing to do know if you will need a film permit or not is to contact the Film Office, either via email or phone. That way, the staff will bring you up to speed on Hamilton’s filming laws that relate to your desired production and whether you will need a permit or not.
There are some other permits or approvals you may require before you film in Hamilton. For instance, if you intend to film using special effects such as fireworks, gunfire, flame effects, squibs, pyrotechnics, etc., you must obtain approval from the Hamilton Fire Department and Hamilton Police Service.
Permit Management in Hamilton
Hamilton Music & Film Office
The Hamilton Music & Film Office is the agency that manages the film permit issuance process in the city of Hamilton. Besides overseeing the processing of obtaining a film permit in Hamilton, the Film Office also assists filmmakers with information about how to secure other required permits or approvals for film production activities. In so doing, the filmmaker can take the required steps to contact any relevant agencies like the Police and Fire Departments and submit all documentation that is needed within the designated periods.
A filmmaker can obtain a film permit in Hamilton in three simple steps:
Register your Production;
Apply for the Film Permit;
Pay the Film Permit Fee if your application is approved.
While you are planning your production activities, contact the Hamilton Music and Film Office as early as possible. As a requirement, you must submit your film permit application at least three business days before your first date of filming. Moreover, if you require a road closure during production, you must submit your application at least ten business days before the commencement of filming.
During the application process, here are the documents you will be required to submit to the Hamilton Music and Film Office:
A Production Information Sheet;
A signed Code of Conduct for Cast and Crew;
A certificate of insurance that complies with Hamilton filming regulations;
Your film permit application;
The draft notification letter for the residents and businesses that will be affected by filming.
In addition, a filmmaker must comply with health and safety requirements during production and secure necessary approvals for special effects if required.
If you intend to film on private property in Hamilton, the property owner may have some additional requirements such as:
Paying a refundable damage deposit;
Paying location fees;
Including the property in the filmmaker’s insurance policy.
What Insurance Do I Need in Hamilton?
The kind of filming activity you intend to undertake will determine the production insurance requirements that you must fulfill. As a basic requirement, all filmmakers must provide a certificate of insurance that lists the City of Hamilton as an additional insured and hold the city harmless from all claims or damages.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Hamilton?
Beautiful filming locations that cater to diverse audiences and script requirements abound in Hamilton, and that is one of the major reasons why filmmakers are lured to the city for production. For instance, Ontario’s online film location database lists over 240 unique filming locations in Hamilton that range from streets to inns, art galleries, avenues, pubs, parks, motels, roads, shopping malls, underpasses, trails, residential and municipal buildings, markets, buildings, and restaurants.
Here in Hamilton, you will find neighborhoods that represent different eras, as well as architectural styles that include Art Deco, Beaux Arts Style, Colonial, Georgian, Italianate, Modern, Regency, Tudor, and Victorian. Moreover, there are buildings in the city that are more than a century old. The city’s prominence as a steel town also adds unique filming opportunities as well.
Hamilton features wide acres of green space in its conservation areas and parks and offers picturesque waterfront views. Feel free to check out the sandy beaches, shipping docks, trails, piers, waterfalls, marinas, and bridges, as these are additional locations that are great for filming.
Some of the common spots that filmmakers fancy in Hamilton include Battlefield House Museum and Park, Whitehern Historic House and Garden, King William Street, Hamilton Museum of Steel and Technology, Dundurn National Historic Site, Oakwood Place, and Ravenscliffe Avenue.
Special Requirements in Hamilton
Conditions
There are some conditions that filmmakers are required to abide by during production to ensure that their activities do not negatively affect the members of the local community in Hamilton. These are summarized below:
A filmmaker must comply with the Noise By-law of the city;
Lighting used during filming must not face the neighboring buildings;
All generators must be equipped with silencers when in use in public areas, except otherwise approved;
No filming is allowed in residential areas between 11 pm and 7 am, except otherwise approved.
Parking is encouraged in private lots in the city and prohibited in No Parking Zones, No Stopping Zones, and main commercial streets.
Hamilton Conservation Authority
The Hamilton Conservation Authority manages the following parks and areas in Hamilton; Christie Lake, Confederation Beach Park, Devil’s Punchbowl, Dundas Valley, Eramosa Karst, Fifty Point, Fletcher Creek, Natural Areas, Spencer Gorge, Tiffany Falls, Valens Lake, Westfield Heritage Village, and Wild Waterworks. If you wish to film in any of these locations, you must apply to the Hamilton Conservation Authority at least ten business days before the scheduled date of filming.
Before you can secure the film permit for any of these areas under Hamilton Conservation Authority’s control, you must submit the following and pay applicable location fees:
A location filming application;
A film permit that is issued by the Hamilton Music and Film Office;
A certificate of insurance with a commercial general liability of $2,000,000 per occurrence that lists the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority as an additional insured. Note that filming at Confederation Beach Park requires a liability of $5,000,000;
Sketches and Maps of the filming location and equipment.
Hamilton International Airport
Before you can engage in any kind of filming activity at Hamilton International Airport, you must first obtain authorization. The Hamilton International Airport Limited (HIAL) requests that filmmakers first contact the Manager, Passenger Experience & Partnerships at least thirty days before the proposed date of filming to discuss the details of the project, what would be required, and if a site tour is necessary. Complex productions may require additional advance notice. Thereafter, the filmmaker can commence the application process.
The process of obtaining the permit to film at Hamilton International Airport is as follows:
Submit a letter of intent at least ten business days before the date of filming;
Pay the non-refundable processing fee;
Submit the script, if required;
Submit the proof of insurance:
Commercial general liability of $2,000,000 for bodily injury/property damage, and $5,000,000 for airfield areas;
Automobile liability of $2,000,000;
Workers’ compensation insurance according to statutory requirements;
Name Hamilton International Airport Limited, TradePort International Corporation, and the City of Hamilton as additional insured;
Pay the refundable cleanup and damage deposit;
Pay the location fees (non-commercial filmmakers may be exempted);
Pay for required passes for the production team and the services of security escorts, if required.
The fees associated with filming at Hamilton International Airport are presented below (harmonized sales tax excluded):
Permit processing fee - $270;
Damage deposit fee - $1,238;
Site Tours/Airport Management Supervision/Pre-Film Meetings - $117 per hour;
Security Guards - $67 per hour;
Airport Maintenance/Firefighting staff - $83 per hour;
Location fees:
Airside locations - $788 per hour;
Restricted areas of Main Terminal building - $654 per hour;
Non-restricted areas of Main Terminal building - $518 per hour;
Groundside areas - $388 per hour.
Hamilton Port
Any filmmaker that intends to film at Hamilton Port must contact the Port representative about their film inquiries and requests.
McMaster University
All requests for commercial filming at McMaster University are coordinated through Conference Services on behalf of the University. If you are a filmmaker, you must abide by the following requirements to obtain approval for filming on the University’s property:
Provide the script to the Office of Public Relations at least two weeks before the scheduled filming date for review and approval;
Sign the filming contract issued by Conference Services at least 72 hours before the start of filming;
Pay the applicable fees as stipulated – scouting fees, location fees, preparation fees, takedown fees, etc.;
Provide the required insurance:
General liability insurance of at least $5,000,000;
Automobile insurance of at least $5,000,000;
Name McMaster University as an additional insured ;
Complete and sign a hold harmless agreement.
Provide a film permit from the Hamilton Film Office if filming on municipal/public property surrounding the University;
Filming is not allowed on weekdays of the academic year between September and April.
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board welcomes permit applications for filming in schools they manage between December and July. A filmmaker can apply for the permit online and await the result of the review process and confirmation of how to proceed.
Royal Botanical Gardens
To film at Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), a filmmaker must first submit a Film Permit Request. The RBG typically responds within two business days. Thereafter, the details and requirements of the production will be communicated to the filmmaker for compliance.
What Does it Cost to Film in Hamilton?
There are fees associated with filming activities in the city of Hamilton. Some of these fees include permit application fee, lane occupancy fee, full road closure fee, and other fees charged by city units for the use of their staff during production.
Additional Fees
In addition to the noted permit and license fees, the licensee is responsible for any additional incurred building/site costs. Filmmakers should note that some sites in Hamilton may not be available on certain dates, so contact the appropriate department to inquire about their availability.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Hamilton?
Hamilton lies in the southern part of Ontario on the western end of Lake Ontario. The Niagara Escarpment passes through the middle of the city, while the Hamilton Harbour forms the northern limit of the city. The cities of Brantford and Burlington are located south and north of Hamilton respectively, while Kitchener lies southwest of the city. St Catharines is a few miles east of the city via Queen Elizabeth Way.
Burlington
Permits to film in the city of Burlington are processed by the Parks and Recreation Department and approved by the Director of Parks and Recreation. Every filmmaker must apply for a film permit online at least ten business days before the date of filming. If your project will involve a road closure, hazardous activity, or require a bylaw exception, you must send in your permit application at least thirty days before the date of filming.
Other requirements for a film permit in Burlington are as follows: Pay the application fee ($162.80); A detailed site map; Proof of insurance with a limit of commercial general liability from at least $2,000,000 to $10,000,000 depending on the nature of your production; Letter of notification to the residents and businesses that will be affected by the production; A refundable damage deposit; The script and proposed filming schedule.
Brantford
Film permits are coordinated by the Film, Television, and Digital Media Unit in the city of Brantford. Any production company that needs a permit for filming in the city must first contact this office to connect with a Film Liaison that will help with the permitting process, location scouting, coordination with local resources, etc. When scouting a filming location in the city of Brantford, a filmmaker will need to complete a screening and indemnity form.
During the application process, a filmmaker will complete the film permit application form and provide the following supporting documents: Proof of insurance that names the City of Brantford as an additional insured: Commercial general liability insurance of at least $5,000,000 per occurrence and $10,000,000 aggregate; Tenant’s legal liability limit of at least $1,000,000; Automobile liability of at least $2,000,000; Notification letter to the residents and businesses that will be affected by the filming activity; Drone / UAV documentation; Location Agreement and Indemnity Agreement; Certificate from the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB). Depending on the nature of your project, you may need to obtain approvals from other city units too.
Kitchener
A film permit is required to make use of public property such as streets, facilities, and sidewalks in Kitchener. To be able to film in the city of Kitchener, you must complete a Film Location Application Form at least two weeks before the date of filming and provide a certificate of insurance that covers at least $2,000,000 liability. Reach out to the Film, music, and interactive media officer via email or phone for assistance or other requirements.
St Catharines
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism Services is in charge of the film permitting process in the city of St Catharines. As a filmmaker, you must submit your film permit application at least ten business days before the date of filming. Some complex projects may require additional days for processing/review e.g., productions that require special effects, road closures, etc. Such projects often require additional permits as well. The film permit application fee is $58.35. Other fees may apply as well.
Outreach in Hamilton
Hamilton filming regulations state that production companies must conduct outreach in the filming location(s). Filmmakers comply by sending out proper notification to every resident and business that will be directly affected by the production activities, including parking and base camp areas.
The standard notification is a one-page letter that is to be printed and delivered at least five business days before the date filming is set to commence. Before distributing the letters, the production team must submit them to the Film Office for review and approval.
If filming is scheduled to take place in a Business Improvement Area (BIA) in the city, the filmmaker must provide a copy of the letter to the executive directors and key contacts of the BIA before delivering it to the community.
Under certain circumstances, the project may require the consent of the members of the neighborhood. In such cases, the filmmaker will need to make use of a neighborhood canvassing letter for residents to give their consent, ask questions or raise objections.
Community Management in Hamilton
Filmmakers know that it is important to be on good terms with the members of the local community where they are working to ensure that the production goes unhitched. Where folks in the neighborhood may have concerns with any aspect of the production, a designated member of the production team must investigate and resolve such concerns as quickly as possible. The film crew can further promote a good relationship with the host community by abiding by Hamilton’s filming guidelines, particularly in the areas of noise making, cleanup, generator use, and filming hours.
Conclusion
Hamilton has been a top filming location in North America for decades and continues to attract the big players in the motion picture industry. Its picturesque and diverse locations, available film-support business, film-friendly residents, and enticing tax credits make the city a place to visit for production activities. Whether your interest is shooting a feature film, television show, commercial, student project, music video, or any other kind of production, you will find what you need here in Hamilton.
The Hamilton Music and Film Office coordinates the process of obtaining a film permit in Hamilton and assists filmmakers with the contacts of city agencies whose approvals or services may be required. By registering your production, applying for the permit, paying the permit fee, and providing other supporting documentation (like insurance), a filmmaker can easily obtain a permit from the Film Office. Thereafter, it’s up to the filmmaker to bring their ideas to life in this city.