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

Film Liaison: Dave Zethof
Ph: 250-361-0246
Email

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

Ph: 250-544-4210

Email: Alison.Oleary@csaanich.ca

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. 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

Film Liaison: Matthew Pawlow

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

Web: District of Highlands

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

Ph: 250-474-3167

Fax: 250-474-6298

Email: planner@metchosin.ca

Web: District of Metchosin

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

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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)