Film Permits & Insurance
Behind the Scenes of ‘Little Women’ (1994)
Southern Vancouver Island is comprised of thirteen municipalities and permit offices. There are also regional, provincial, and national parks, National Defense and First Nations land to consider among others. Start here for information on where to apply for general filming, street use and special electrical permits around the Capital Region.
The majority of film permits will require production insurance coverage. If your production is not already covered by a company policy, look here for suggested providers.
MUNICIPALITIES
Municipal Contacts and Filming Guidelines
All municipalities in Greater Victoria are film-friendly and will expedite the permitting process whenever possible. Applications for filming permits, licenses or location permits should be completed by an accredited Location or Production Manager, or company representative.
Location Managers are familiar with and knowledgeable about local procedures, guidelines and any restrictions regarding sensitive locations or other areas of concern. They are the best-equipped personnel to deal with the various city departments, film policies and officials.
To determine in which municipality your locations are located, please view this comprehensive map of the Capitol Regional District (zoom for more detail).
DISTRICT OF VICTORIA
1 Centennial Square
Victoria, BC, V8W 1P6
Arts, Culture and Events Liaison: David McConachie
Ph: 1-250-361-0246
Web: Filming In Victoria
Permit Processing: You need to apply at least two weeks (10 working days) before you intend to start filming.
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability of $5,000,000
DISTRICT OF SAANICH
770 Vernon Avenue
Saanich, BC V8X 2W7
Film Liaison: Rob Phillips
Ph: 250-475-5558
Fax: 250-475-5400
Email
Web: District of Saanich
Permit Processing: Minimum 5 business days prior
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability of $5,000,000
PDF Info:
Saanich Film Permit Guidelines
Saanich Film Permit Application Form
CENTRAL SAANICH
1903 Mt Newton Cross Road
Saanich, BC V8M 2A9
Film Liaison: Alison O’Leary
Web: District of Central Saanich
Permit Processing: Minimum 2 weeks prior
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability required of $2,000,000
DISTRICT OF NORTH SAANICH
1620 Mills Road
North Saanich, BC V8L 5S9
Public Works Administrative Assistant: Sarah Fairbrass
Ph: 250-655-5480
Fax: 250-656-0782
Email
Web: District of North Saanich
Permit Processing: Minimum 1 week prior
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability of $5,000,000
DISTRICT OF OAK BAY
Recreation Oak Bay
1975 Bee Street
Victoria, BC V8R 5E6
Film Liaison: Steve Meikle
Web: District of Oak Bay
Permit Processing: Minimum 2 weeks prior
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability of $3,000,000
CITY OF COLWOOD
3300 Wishart Road
Colwood, BC V9C 1R1
Film Liaison: Michelle Wakeman
Ph: 1-250-478-5053 Ext. 107
Web: City of Colwood
Permit Processing: Minimum 1- 2 weeks prior
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability required of $5,000,000
TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT
1229 Esquimalt Road
Esquimalt, BC V9A 3P1
Film Liaison: Chris Millan
Ph: 250-412-8525
Event/film permit application here
Website: Township of Esquimalt
Permit Processing: Minimum 5 business days prior
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability required of $5,000,000
CITY OF LANGFORD
2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue
Langford, BC V9B 2X8
Contact: Engineering Department
Ph: 250-478-7882
Fax: 250-478-7864
Email
Web: City of Langford
Permit Processing: 2 weeks
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability of $2,000,000
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
45 View Royal Avenue
View Royal, BC V9B 1A6
Film Liaison: Jennifer Cochrane
Ph: 250-479-6800
Fax: 250-727-9551
Web: Town of View Royal
Permit Processing: 2 weeks
Costs: Base cost of required services
Insurance: General liability of $5,000,000
DISTRICT OF SOOKE
2205 Otter Road
Sooke, BC V9Z 1J2
Email: mpawlow@sooke.ca
Web: District of Sooke
Permit Processing: 2 weeks
Costs: Base cost of required services
Insurance: General Liability $2,000,000
PDF Info:
Film Permit Policy & Application Form
Permit Fees (see Schedule I)
TOWN OF SIDNEY
2440 Sidney Avenue
Sidney, BC V8L 1Y7
Contact: Engineering Department
Ph: 250-656-4502
Web: Town of Sidney
Permit Processing: Minimum 3 business days prior
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability of $2,000,000
DISTRICT OF HIGHLANDS
1980 Millstream Road
Highlands, BC V9B 6H1
Film Liaison: Chris Coates
Ph: 250-474-1773
Fax: 250-474-3677
Permit Processing: 2 weeks
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability of $5,000,000
DISTRICT OF METCHOSIN
4450 Happy Valley Road
Metchosin, BC V9C 3Z3
Film Liaison: Sherry Hurst
Permit Processing: Minimum 2 weeks prior
Costs: Base costs of required services
Insurance: General liability of $2,000,000
PORT RENFREW
Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 39, Port Renfrew B.C. V0S 1K0
Contact: Dan Hager
Telephone: (250) 858-7665
Email
CRD
Film Liaison: Chris Gelson
Ph: 250-360-3036
Parks
BC PARKS
Filming requirements for Provincial Parks will differ by location and time of year to prevent impacts to natural, cultural and recreational values.
Provincial Parks South of Shawnigan Lake
Info:
Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulations
Special Conditions and Park Contacts
FrontCounter BC – Permit Application Process
BC Parks Commercial Filming Permit Info & Application
If you have further questions after reading the above documents regarding Provincial Parks South of Shawnigan Lake, please contact the Acting Parks and Protected Areas Section Head Craig Meding.
Contact: Craig Meding, Acting Parks and Protected Areas Section Head
Ph: 250-947-2616
Email
For more information regarding any filming within BC Parks, please contact: Megan Beveridge
PARKS CANADA
Shooting guidelines for National Parks and Historic Sights vary by location.
Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site of Canada & Fisgard Lighthouse
603 Fort Rodd Hill Road
Victoria, BC V9C 2W8
Contact: Jodi Hawkins
Ph: 250-478-6481
Fax: 250-478-8415
Email
PDF Info:
Filming at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS – Information and Guidelines 2012
____________
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada
2220 Harbour Road
Sidney, BC V8L 2P6
Contact: Breanna Rice
Ph: 250-654-4064
Fax: 250-654-4014
Email
Filming within a national park, national marine conservation area,
national historic site or inside a heritage building:
Film and Photography Fees (Page 136)
CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT (CRD) PARKS
Contact: Jeanette Mollin
Ph: 250-360-3341
Email
PDF Info:
CRD Park permit and usage info
FERRIES, HIGHWAYS and UAVs/DRONES
BC FERRIES
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Suite 500-1321 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 0B7
Contact: Zoe King, Manager, Customer Service Centre
Ph: 250-978-1133
Fax: 250-381-5452
Email
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES
2901 3rd Avenue Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98121
Contact: Jadwiga Kellock, Business Service Manager
Ph: 206-264-3554
Cell: 206-571-5188
Email
BC HIGHWAYS
Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure
Contact: Amy Barker, Special Events & Filming Coordinator
Ph: 604-527-2224
Email
UAVs/DRONES
Victoria Office
Ph: 250-363-6823
Web: Transport Canada Standards
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS
(TO FILM ON SHORE BELOW HIGH TIDE LINE)
Regional Fisheries Protection Office
Ph: 1-604-666-1704
Self Assessment: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/index-eng.html
Email
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