Filming in Abbotsford

• STEP ONE: Filming Application, Business Licence & Insurance

  1. Read the City of Abbotsford’s Outdoor Special Event, Filming and Activities Bylaw No. 2513-2016
  2. Contact the Economic Development office by phone: 604-864-5586 or by email
  3. Determine your filming location(s)
  4. Complete a Abbotsford Film Application and submit to Economic Development.
  5. Complete a Film Production Business Licence application
  6. Provide us with a copy of $5 million Commercial General Liability insurance naming the “City of Abbotsford” as an additional insured.
  7. Provide a copy of your Covid-19 Safety Protocol/Plan
• STEP TWO: Security Deposit

  1. The Film Production office will determine your film deposit amount (between $2,000-$5,000) based upon your film production requirements.
  2. All deposits are to be made by cheque and payable to the “City of Abbotsford”
• STEP THREE: Additional Permits

  1. Fill out any applicable permit applications (contact filming coordinator to determine which permits are applicable to your specific application) and send to the Economic Development department for review.
• STEP FOUR: Community Engagement and Notification

  *Please note all notices of filming must be sent to the City of Abbotsford Film Office for approval prior to distribution*. (See samples)

  1. Neighbourhood Notification
  2. Polling for high impact activity
  3. Downtown Abbotsford (ADBA)
  4. Additional Community Engagement
      
• STEP FIVE: Filming Wrap Sheet

  1. 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

• Film Notification Process

  Please Note: All filming notices must be sent to the City of Abbotsford film office for approval prior to distribution.

  • 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.
  • 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. 
• Polling & Notice Letter Templates

  • Residents Reverse Polling Letter Curfew Extension - SAMPLE*
  • Reverse Polling Letter – Reverse Polling Letter Template - SAMPLE*
  • ADBA Filming Notice Letter Template - SAMPLE*
  • Polling Form Sample Sheet - SAMPLE*

    *for the above form samples please contact our office for original word documents at econdev@abbotsford.ca

  • ADBA Polling Sheet - Blank
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – Montvue
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – Essendene
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – Pauline Street North
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – South Fraser Way/Pauline Street South
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – South Fraser Way North
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – Lower Montrose/George Ferguson Way
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – Upper Montrose/South Fraser North
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – West Railway North
  • ADBA Polling Sheet – West Railway – South
     
• Additional Permits & Forms

  • Electrical Permit (Technical Safety BC)
  • Highway Use Permit Request Form
  • Hydrant Permit
  • Park and Picnic Shelter Booking Form
  • Pyrotechnics Permit Application
  • Snow Use Agreement
  • Wrap Sheet
     
• Filming Resources

  • 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
  • Directors Guild of Canada
  • Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act
  • Merchant Toolkit (Creative BC)
  • Ministry of Agriculture
  • Motion Picture Association
     
• Covid19 Filming Resources

  • BC Motion Picture Industry Covid19 Safety Guidelines
  • Location Filming - Managing the Pandemic Risk (portrait)
  • Location Filming - Managing the Pandemic Risk (landscape)

Film Fees

• Filming Fee Schedule

  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.