City Guide Filming in Vancouver, BC
Production Permit Fees
- Filming in Vancouver in public locations that are not parks is managed by the City Film and Special Events Branch.
- Filming in Vancouver’s parks or on the beaches is managed by the Park Board Film and Special Events Office.
- Requirements & Costs
- Business License - $63
- Temporary Business License $95
- Electrical Permit – Varied
- Master Film Permit Application Fee - $105
- Security Deposit - $2,040 - is eventually offset against fees
- Public Location Permit Fees
- Master Film Permit Daily Activity Fee- $1300 for each day of filming
- Permit Surcharge For Late Night/Early Morning Filming - $2000
- Student Film Permit - $46
- The CFSE operates what is called a clean energy incentive. They offer a 50% reduction on daily filming fees if you can prove your production is using clean energy. If your production falls into the ultra -low impact category you could be eligible for a reduction in the daily activity fee of up to 85%.
- Park Location Permit Fees
- Neighborhood Parks Small Productions Level 1 - $205
- Neighborhood Parks Small Productions Level 2 – $420
- Neighborhood Parks Large Productions Level 3 - $840
- Neighborhood Parks Large Productions Level 4 - $1258
- Stanley Park, Major Parks & Beaches Level 1 - $274
- Stanley Park, Major Parks & Beaches Level 2 - $551
- Stanley Park, Major Parks & Beaches Level 3 - $1,108
- Stanley Park, Major Parks & Beaches Level 4 - $1,664
- Student Film Permit - $46
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial general liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Vancouver
Vancouver might not be one of the first names that springs to mind when you think of places associated with the film and TV industry, but it should be. Filming in Vancouver is a big part of the city's economy. Approximately three percent of Vancouver's six-hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants are employed in or work for businesses connected with the film industry.
Filming of one sort or another happens in Vancouver every day and it ranks almost as high on the list of the most popular shoot locations for major productions as Los Angeles does. Why? This Canadian city in the province of British Columbia is bordered by the Strait of Georgia and backed by the magnificent spread of the North Shore Mountains. Because of its geographical position, Vancouver has a micro climate that means its winters are mild and there's minimal snowfall so filming can be done pretty much all year round.
The weather and the scenery isn't all that makes Vancouver great for filming though. Vancouver also has the production infrastructure needed to get a project from script stage to screen. That's quite possibly the reason why countless films and TV series in every genre imaginable including thrillers, romance and even horror have been made there. Deadpool, The Butterfly Effect, Fifty Shades of Gray and even the classic, Titanic, to name just a few, have all had their Vancouver moments.
Vancouver may be a very film-friendly city, but it's one that likes its visiting or resident filmmakers to follow a certain set of rules regarding filming in the city. Before you set your tripod up in Stanley Park and start shooting, read on to find out the filming regulations in Vancouver and whether or not your personal production will need a permit.
If you're still searching for amazing shoot locations in Vancouver, take a look at the ones on Giggster and without a doubt, you'll find exactly what you're looking for.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Vancouver?
Yes, you need a permit for commercial filming in Vancouver. In fact you will need more than one as there are certain requirements and licenses you need to get before you can apply for a Master Film Permit whether you are filming on location or in a studio. It's a complex and lengthy procedure so begin well in advance of your estimated shoot date.
Permits to film in public locations in Vancouver and permits to film in parks in Vancouver are dealt with by different departments. Applying for each has its own process that must be completed which is different for residents and non-residents of Vancouver. There is a daily charge for film permits. The fees for public locations and parks are different.
Electrical Permit
As well as a business license, temporary or otherwise, anyone wishing to apply for a filming permit must first get an electrical permit. Fees for electrical permits vary depending on the duration of the filming.
Daily Activity Request
For every single day you will be filming you will be required to give full details of the filming activities and locations. This has to be done in advance of the filming. You will need to register for a Master Film Permit production account with the City of Vancouver's Film and Special Events Department. The online system allows you to enter all the details of your production, pay any relevant fees and upload copies of your business license, electrical permit and then, once your permit has been approved, the required Daily Activity Request submissions.
Student Film Permits
Students are given very reduced rates and are charged a one-off fee rather than a daily one so long as the production is part of their college coursework.
Business License
If you live permanently in Vancouver you are required to apply for a business license before beginning the Master Film Permit application process. If you are going to be in Vancouver for filming only you are required to apply for a temporary business license before beginning the permit application procedure. NB: Any business license can take up to eight weeks to be processed.
Permit Management in Vancouver
There are two different departments of film and special events that deal with filming permits in Vancouver.
The City Film and Special Events Branch oversees filming permits for all public locations except parks.
The Park Board Film and Special Events Office control film permits for filming in parks and at beach areas.
Both departments will assign a Film and Special Events Officer to your production once you begin the application for your filming permit.
What Insurance Do I Need in Vancouver?
When you are filming in Vancouver you will be required to have insurance. You can purchase your insurance from any broker you want as long as it meets the conditions required by the CFSE or PBFSE. The insurance policy should contain additional endorsements naming The City of Vancouver, the Board of Parks and Recreation, and the Vancouver Police Board, their employees, officers, agents, and volunteers. Always ensure your broker is fully aware of the correct wordage to use or your policy won't be accepted as valid.
The minimum commercial general liability coverage for filming is $5,000,000. That’s in Canadian dollars, by the way.
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 Vancouver?
The kind of filming locations you'll find in Vancouver will cover just about every possibility you can think of. For outdoor locations there's Main Street with its incredible mountain backdrop, Stanley Park with its lake and beach, to yacht-filled marinas and graffitied skateboard parks to name just a few. Scouting outdoor shoot locations in Vancouver will be an absolute pleasure, but can eventually become time-consuming as there are just so many great places to choose from.
If you're searching for somewhere to film some sporting action there are eight ice rinks in Vancouver, numerous golf courses, sports fields of every description and gymnasiums galore as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There's seriously no sporting facility you won't find - including a gym set up like a nightclub.
Start scrolling through the indoor shoot locations in Vancouver and you could end up with a sore finger and square eyes as they are seemingly without end. If you're shooting a series like Friends for example you'll have so many smartly furnished studios to select from you may well rewrite the script and have everyone live separately instead of together.
When you want something more Bohemian you won't have to look too hard. Check out the indoor locations in Gastown and you'll see they fit the bill, especially if you want somewhere like an artsy, two-level loft or a pad suitable for a trendy young executive.
You'll come across uniquely furnished bars and restaurants in Vancouver ideal for those social shots when your actors need to be seen eating or drinking. If you have a wedding reception to film, there's also ready-prepared event spaces just waiting for your cast and crew to turn up. If there's anything else you can think of that's not been mentioned here, don't worry, it'll be there and you'll find it on Giggster.
Special Requirements in Vancouver
Temporary Special Zone
Filming or parking production vehicles on the streets of Vancouver requires additional permission, but permission won't be granted until you've had permission to film in that location. The City Film and Special Events Branch classifies this as a Temporary Special Zone or TSZ.
To be able to acquire a Temporary Special Zone you are required to submit a map of the area in question and a worksheet. You can't apply for this until your filming permit has been granted. Once it has, you can download examples of the appropriate paperwork from the Vancouver City Film and Special Events Branch website.
Traffic Control
When your production doesn't involve closing the street down, but your activities are likely to inhibit vehicle flow, you will need a Vancouver police officer present for traffic control. This can be organized directly with the Vancouver Police Department and should be done at least two days prior to the shoot.
Drone Usage
Drone usage on any filming location in Vancouver must follow the strict regulations set out by Transport Canada unless the drone weighs less than two-hundred and fifty grams in which case the rules are not applicable.
You will however still be required by the CFSE, or PBFSE if you're filming in parks, to have aviation liability insurance in addition to the commercial general liability insurance needed to obtain your film permit. Depending on your chosen location there may be times of the year when drone flights are prohibited due to the breeding seasons of animals and birds so check carefully if that applies to your production.
Use Of Fire Hydrants
If you're thinking you can use a Vancouver fire hydrant for a special effect without getting permission and paying for it, think again. Before you use a fire hydrant in Vancouver you'll need to apply for a permit from Water Design and tell them how, when and why you want to use the fire hydrant.
NB: Not all fire hydrants can be used by anyone other than the fire department. Fire hydrants that can be used can be found on the city's VanMap app. If the fire hydrant on your chosen street location is marked with a red dot, you're out of luck, you won't be able to use it.
Pyrotechnics
If you're using any form of firework, explosives, or plan on burning your set down then you will need to apply for a permit from the Fire Prevention Department. Permits can take ten days to be approved as the proposed site will need to be inspected by an official prior to the permit being issued.
Weapons
When any guns or gunfire is to be used during the shoot you are required to have a Vancouver police officer present whether you're filming inside or out.
Parking Meters
When your shoot or production vehicles occupy spots where parking meters are present you will be required to compensate Vancouver City for the revenue lost from the meters not being in use.
What Does it Cost to Film in Vancouver?
Filming in Vancouver initially appears to be a costly affair and something you wouldn’t be able to do on a low budget. However, if you go green and can prove you're using clean energy or are an ultra-low impact production you can get large reductions on the standard daily activity fees, so keep planning. The CFSE operates what is called a clean energy incentive. They offer a 50% reduction on daily filming fees if you can prove your production is using clean energy. If your production falls into the ultra-low impact category you could be eligible for a reduction in the daily activity fee of up to 85%.
Additional Fees
The CFSE operates what is called a clean energy incentive. They offer a 50% reduction on daily filming fees if you can prove your production uses clean energy. If your production falls into the ultra-low impact category, you could be eligible for a reduced daily activity fee of up to 85%.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Vancouver?
Vancouver occupies the western side of the Burrard Peninsula in British Columbia with an extensive urban reach that covers almost nine hundred square kilometers. Stanley Park forms the city's most northerly land point. The Burrard Inlet serves as its northern border and the watery divide which separates it from North Vancouver. Vancouver's southerly stretch reaches as far as the Fraser River which separates the city from neighboring Richmond on Lulu Island. Burnaby, Burnaby Heights, and Maywood are Vancouver's eastern neighbors while the city's most westerly land points are occupied by the expansive grounds and campus facilities of the University of British Columbia. To film in North Vancouver you will need to apply to the City of North Vancouver for a permit. To film in Richmond you will need to apply to the City of Richmond for a permit.
Outreach in Vancouver
A lot of filming takes place in Vancouver and it can sometimes cause disruption in the daily routines of the people living there. Your production might be exciting to you, but it's not always for everybody else. In some instances, popular locations have been overused, so film permits for those specific places are often limited.
To help avoid community problems the City Film and Special Events Branch will require you to do some community groundwork before your shoot commences.
Standard Outreach
When you're going to be filming in a residential or commercial zone you will need to notify the home and business owners. This has to be done at least two days prior to the shoot starting. You can download a standard format letter for the notifications from the City Film and Special Events Branch website.
Polling and Outreach
If your production is likely to cause a major impact on the neighborhood you've chosen as a shoot location, you'll have more work to do. This can be because you have a large crew, lots of production vehicles and may make a lot of noise or because you need to operate outside of Vancouver City's filming curfew hours which are:-
Monday to Thursday - 07:00 to 23:00
Friday - 07:00 to 24:00
Saturday - 08:00 to 24:00
Sunday and Holidays - 08:00 to 23:00
It may also apply to your production if you plan to return to the same location on several occasions.
When this applies to your production the first thing you will have to do is conduct a poll of the area where you're going to be filming. This is quite a complicated and lengthy process.
To poll you are required to first distribute a letter to any businesses or residents that may be affected by your production at least two weeks before the estimated shoot commence date. The letter should include details of the hoped-for extension of hours, any stunt work, special effects that might be used, and any alterations to the appearance of the location you might make. While a standard format letter is downloadable from the City Film and Special Events Branch website, it must still be approved by them before you distribute it.
Two or three days after sending the letter out you will be required to go door to door polling whether or not people are in agreement with what you will be doing. Signatures are required as proof of conducting the poll. You will need to submit the final poll results to the City Film and Special Events Branch at least five days before your shoot start date. If you don't get the right amount of support, you'll need to look for another shoot location and possibly start the entire process from the beginning again.
Community Management in Vancouver
The production company is responsible for maintaining community relations, especially if there are members of the public or parts of the shoot location community that may be more affected by the filming than others. If you think this may occur, it's a good idea to have a community liaison officer on-site during shooting who can deal with any problems as they arise, but before they escalate.
Conclusion
After reading through this information you may well have realized that getting a permit for filming in Vancouver can be a complex and fairly costly process. Follow the steps set out by the City Film and Special Events Branch one by one and try to be an ultra-low impact production if you can. It'll pay you dividends in the end.
Vancouver is favored by big production companies who have the mega budgets to play with and don’t bat an eye at having to compensate the city for the loss of parking meter revenue. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, consider having a location rethink. There are cities - New York for example - where filming regulations are simple and costs are practically next to nothing so they’re ideal for low-budget movie shoots.