Film Permits & Fees

To book a film production location in the City of North Vancouver you need to complete a film permit application.

Please submit one application for each filming location, at least 5 working days prior to filming.

1. Fill in the application form (email us if you need a Word version).
   
   
2. Submit completed film permit application form to filming@cnv.org.
   
   

The next steps after your permit(s) has been approved are listed in the Checklist for Location Departments section.

Our checklist has information, links, and timelines which is key to keeping your production on time and on budget.

The first step is to review our Filming Procedures (PDF), and submit your Film Permit Application (PDF, one form per location).

After your permit has been APPROVED we'll need the following:

• Certificate of Insurance for $5 million, naming The City of North Vancouver as additional insured.
  
  
• Security Deposit of $5,000 (cheque payable to City of North Vancouver). We can draw on this amount for your fees if that is your production's preference.
  
  
• Electrical Permit Application (if using an electrical generator on site) and an Electrical Contractor Authorization Declaration (one per location). Cost for one year is $768, and a one-time use permit is $127.
  
  
• Parking requirements - Parking requirements - if you need on-street parking, send your requirements ASAP using the attached Film Parking Street Use form.  NOTE: We need a minimum of six (6) business days to print and sign on street parking for filming.   
  
  
• Street closures - if you're planning on closing a street or intermittent short duration road closures, complete a Filming Street Closure Form. We require a minimum of five (5) business days for approval (for more complex closures our traffic department requests a minimum of seven (7) business days).
  
  
• Letter to residents and/or businesses for our approval. Letters must be delivered BEFORE we put out the 'no parking' signage.

The following information may also be helpful for your production.

Police

The North Vancouver RCMP ideally needs five working days notice to fill filming requests. To book RCMP personnel, please email NVFSS@rcmp-grc.gc.ca and copy Filming@cnv.org for billing purposes. Include the following information:

• Production name
• Production office address 
• Production office phone number
• Name of TV show
• Day, date and time officer(s) needed
• Requirements (e.g. Intermittent Traffic control, exposed weapons, scenes with gunfire, etc.)
• Number of RCMP required 
• Number of hours required
• Location(s)
• Name and contact number of ALM on site

Curfew

Normal working hours are 7am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 10pm on Sunday (and Statutory Holidays).

Fire Hydrants

The City doesn't permit temporary fire hydrant use for filming, except at The Shipyards, where the water supply can be used for wet downs.

Special Effects

If your production involves special effects, you'll need to complete a Special Effects Permit Application for review by the North Vancouver City Fire Department. The application must be received at least seven calendar days prior to the the date scheduled for the special effect.

GST Number

The City's GST registration number is 122083959.

Business Licence

If your production office is based in the City of North Vancouver, you need a business licence (check the City boundaries in the map on this page). If your production office is based elsewhere, no business licence is required. 

Contact Us

Questions? Contact the Film Office at Filming@cnv.org or 604-982-3910.

Our Filming Procedures apply to all location filming which takes place in the City of North Vancouver, except for current affairs and newscasts. Note that we reserve the right to refuse to issue a permit to a production company or individual who has failed in the past to adhere to our Filming Procedures.

   >> Download Filming Procedures (PDF)

The film-friendly City of North Vancouver is shown in the map below.

Note that our locations include the North Vancouver Cemetery which is located towards the east.

>> View map in new window

The Schedule of Fees for filming is shown below, per the Fees and Charges Bylaw 6383, Schedule C.

Goods & Services Tax (GST) applies to all fees, except as noted. Please note that listed fees are subject to change without notice.

Fee Reduction

The City’s Film Office staff have the authority to consider a request for a one-time 50% fee reduction of the City’s location fees, subject to the following criteria:

1. Productions should be either non-theatrical (such as shorts, student foundation films, documentaries), or
2. Theatrical productions that are under $500,000 total gross budget (staff will request they provide their budget top sheet to verify), 
3. Filming will not take place over more than two days in the City location.
4. The reduction does not apply to The Shipyards public realm.

Any questions? Please don't hesitate to contact our Film Office (filming@cnv.org) for more information.