Virtual Filming Tours
The City of Abbotsford claims numerous advantages for creative industries. Strategically located only 45 minutes from Vancouver (the third largest film hub in North America), Abbotsford is home to a host of unique under-filmed locations, has access to talented labor, and is both affordable and accessible to the industry. Check out our collection of tours to learn more about the filming locations Abbotsford has to offer.
Filming in the Abbotsford Courthouse
*Please be advised that we are unable to fill requests to film at the old Abbotsford courthouse at this time - please check back on this page for updates or contact our filming office*
To film at Tradex, please contact Susan, Director of Sales and Business Development by email at
SSTEFFENS@TRADEXBC.COM(virtual tour coming)
Film Application Steps
The film office will work will the production companies throughout the approval process. To film your production in Abbotsford, please follow these steps:
- Read the City of Abbotsford’s Outdoor Special Event, Filming and Activities Bylaw No. 2513-2016
- Contact the Economic Development office by phone: 604-864-5586 or by email
- Determine your filming location(s)
- Complete a Abbotsford Film Application and submit to Economic Development.
- Complete a Film Production Business Licence application
- Provide us with a copy of $5 million Commercial General Liability insurance naming the “City of Abbotsford” as an additional insured. (with cross liability coverage)
- Provide a copy of your Communicable Disease Prevention Plan. Visit Worksafe BC for more information.
- The Film Production office will determine your film deposit amount (between $4,000-$5,000) based upon your film production requirements.
- All deposits are to be made by cheque and payable to the “City of Abbotsford” and dropped off to the Filming Office, City of Abbotsford, 5th floor
- Fill out any applicable permit applications (contact filming office to determine which permits are applicable to your specific application) and send to the Economic Development department for review.
*Please note all notices of filming must be sent to the City of Abbotsford Film Office for approval prior to distribution*.
(See samples)- Neighbourhood Notification
- Polling for high impact activity and/or areas with high film activity
- Downtown Abbotsford (ADBA)
- Additional Community Engagement
- Please fill out the Filming Wrap Sheet within 2 weeks after your film production wraps up in Abbotsford and submit it to the City of Abbotsford Filming office
Filming Resources & Templates
The City of Abbotsford's Economic Development team has created a Filming Resource Guide to assist production companies looking to film in Abbotsford. The Filming Resource Guide is an updated directory of resources and information. The guide breaks down the Film Application Process, details Notable Attractions and Filming Locations in Abbotsford, Hotels and Accommodations, Specialty Shops, Restaurants, and more.
The City of Abbotsford Filming Resource Guide is updated annually. If you are an Abbotsford Business Owner that would like to be featured in the guide please contact the Economic Development office at econdev@abbotsford.ca
Please Note: All filming notices must be sent to the City of Abbotsford film office for approval prior to distribution. All notice letters should include information on Wrap, Filming and Prep dates
- Basic neighbourhood notification – Neighborhoods (residential and commercial) in which filming will take place should receive notification with at least two full business days to read and provide feedback. For example, if filming on a Friday the notification must be received before the end of business on Tuesday.
- Polling for high impact activity – For higher impact filming activities such as curfew extensions or recurring locations, we require a two stage notification that starts with a poll of the neighbourhood to measure support before the permit and final notification is approved
- Downtown Abbotsford – If you are filming in Downtown Abbotsford you will be required to complete our ADBA Polling sheets. At this time we require signatures from all businesses impacted by filming in the area.
- Mt. Lehman Area (Nicholson, Schroeder & Mt. Lehman) - If you area requesting filming in the Mt Lehman area, you will be required to complete polling. At this time we will be requiring signatures from all residents impacted by both filming and parking in the area. We are requesting no curfew extensions at this time (7am-10pm).
- Clayburn Village - All filming in Clayburn village must be approved by Clayburn Village Society. No curfew extensions allowed at this time (unless authorized by the village and approved by polling).
- Additional Community Engagement – It is the production’s responsibility to engage more directly with those who might be acutely impacted or when special arrangements must be made. For example, when a shop owner could experience business interruption or a home owner has a front yard that you want to store equipment on.
- Additionally, many neighborhoods have resident or business associations which should be contacted prior to finalizing plans. The Filming Office can provide more information on such groups once you select your locations. This higher level of personal engagement is an industry best practice and helps things go smoother “on the day”. Relying on only the basic notification is a sure way to damage relationships and leave the community with a negative impression of the film industry.
- Site maps for locations should include the name of the film; filming dates; set locations including timing; gear stash, generator and snow drop locations (if applicable); circus parking site; walk and talk location (if applicable); and # of parking stalls required. All maps should have areas clearly marked (highlighted for visibility).
- TMP Plan (must be from a certified management company) - required for any closures - partial or full of roadways.
- Residents Reverse Polling Letter Curfew Extension - SAMPLE*
- Reverse Polling Letter – Reverse Polling Letter Template - SAMPLE*
- Polling Form Sample Sheet - SAMPLE*
- ADBA Filming Notice Letter Template - SAMPLE*
- Filming in Downtown Abbotsford - Polling
*for any of the above form samples - please contact our office for the original word documents at econdev@abbotsford.ca
- Drone Work - please submit your drone information to the Film Office (type of equipment and registration #, flight information (include site map), and operator licence)
For more information, please visit Transport Canada website: Registering Your Drone and Drone Flight Planning - Electrical Permit (Technical Safety BC)
- Highway Use Permit Filming Request Form
- Hydrant Permit
- Park and Picnic Shelter Booking Form
- Pyrotechnics Permit Application
- Snow Use Agreement (please also include your MSDS sheet for any products being used)
- Wrap Sheet
- Drone Work - please submit your drone information to the Film Office (type of equipment and registration #, flight information (include site map), and operator licence)
- Abbotsford Airport
- Abbotsford Downtown Business Association
- Abbotsford School District
- BC Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
- City of Abbotsford – Garbage and Recycling
- Clayburn Village Community Society
- Columbia Bible College
- Creative BC
- Creative BC - Filming in Residential Areas
- Directors Guild of Canada
- Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act
- Merchant Toolkit (Creative BC)
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Motion Picture Association
Film Fees
Item Rate (All payments processed through the Film Office) Film Permit Application: $350 plus GST per application Business License (GST included): $281 + $25 admin fee Security Deposit: To be determined (Refundable) Street – Highways Use Permit: $75 Non-refundable No GST applied Hydrant use permit: $60 per day Extension to duration: $60 per day After hours service call: $200 each call Fire Dept. Inspection Fee: $115 Non-refundable Fire Vehicle/Staff: Cost calculated by type of equipment & staff required Assistance Costs: (Deposit required) Police Officer Costs: $110 per hour plus GST (5%) Deposit required Police Car: $135 per hour plus GST (5%) Deposit required City buildings and Facilities charge rate: Deposit required (individually priced) Building Permits and Sign Permits
Individually priced based on project type City of Abbotsford GST number: 89725 6350 RT
All fees are non-refundable. When filming on City of Abbotsford property a refundable security deposit is required. It is intended that the deposit will guarantee the clean-up of the site and compliance with the terms agreed to by the Production Company.
For fees related to filming in the Abbotsford Downtown business area, please contact the Downtown Business Association
Related Links
Downtown Montrose
Larch Park
Clayburn Village
Horse Drawn Carriage in Downtown
