Filming in Abbotsford

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 Clayburn Village
- Please contact Clayburn Village for rental inquiries.
- Please ensure you loop in the Clayburn Village Society on any filming details/filming notification.
- No curfew extensions (unless approved by the Clayburn Village Society)
Filming in the Abbotsford Courthouse

If filming at the Abbotsford Courthouse – A film liaison from AngusFilm will be on site throughout the duration of your filming. Please ensure all members of your crew understand the liaison's role and follow their guidance and instruction. Please contact Cameron Gardner or Peter Geering at info@angusfilm.ca

*Please note the courthouse has a blackout period for filming from May 15-July 15th* Please contact film office for updates
Filming in Historic Downtown Abbotsford

For more information on filming in Downtown Abbotsford, please contact econdev@abbotsford.ca
- If filming in Downtown Abbotsford – A film liaison from AngusFilm will be on site throughout the duration of your filming. Please ensure all members of your crew understand the liaison's role and follow their guidance and instruction. Please contact Cameron Gardner or Peter Geering at info@angusfilm.ca
- Please also include Abbotsford Downtown Business Association (ADBA) on all your requests to film in the Downtown area: Filming Downtown filming@downtownabbotsford.com and Jennifer McEwan jennifer@downtownabbotsford.com
- For Mt Lehman Hall rental inquiries, please email or call 604-866-4530.
- For filming in Mt Lehman (Sangara Avenue to Harris Road):
  No curfew extensions for this area - 7am to 10pm
  
  Production to be contained to one site (including catering)
  
  Transport vehicles and any "major" commuting to and from film location site - no heavy transportation activity during school pick up and drop off please (8:45am-9:15 am & 2:50pm-3:15pm)
  
  All film notices to include a site map (with generator placement, catering etc)
  
  Mt Lehman Community Association suggests a donation be made to the community association for filming in the community

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:

1. Read the City of Abbotsford’s Outdoor Special Event, Filming and Activities Bylaw No. 2513-2016
2. Contact the Economic Development filming 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. ** Please DO NOT submit your filming application if your locations are not confirmed.**
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. (with cross liability coverage)
7. Provide a copy of your Communicable Disease Prevention Plan. Visit Worksafe BC for more information.
1. The Film Production office will determine your film deposit amount (between $4,000-$5,000) based upon your film production requirements.
2. All deposits are to be made by cheque and payable to the “City of Abbotsford” and dropped off to the Filming Office, City of Abbotsford, 5th floor - 32315 South Fraser Way.
Fill out any applicable permit applications (please contact the Filming office to determine which permits are applicable to your specific application)
- Highway Use Permit - Filming
*Please note all notices of filming must be sent to the City of Abbotsford Film Office for approval prior to distribution*. (See samples)

Basic neighbourhood notification Neighbourhoods (residential and commercial) in which filming will take place should receive notification with at least three 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. That notification must be on the Abbotsford City approved template .

Polling for high impact activity For higher impact filming activities (ie curfew extensions/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. Important note: Polling results must be accompanied with a polling results map.

Additional community engagement It is the production's responsibility to engage directly with those who might be acutely impacted or when special arrangements must be made. (ex. when a business owner could experience business interruption or a home owner has a front yard that you want to store equipment on).

Additionally, many neighbourhoods 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 finalize 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.
Filming During filming there must always be a senior member of the production team on set who is knowledgeable of the City of Abbotsford filming guidelines and the scope of filming permit; and has the authority to enforce the permit terms and conditions. Please ensure your filming permit and any highway use permits are readily available in print and/or digital format at all times during filming. Permits are public record and can be shown to anyone who requests to confirm that your activities have been permitted.

Receive final statement Once your filming has completed, all related charges will be drawn down from your deposit(s); if the charges:
- Are less than the deposits, you will receive a refund
- Exceed the deposit, an invoice will be issued for the balance remaining

Filming Resources & Templates

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. All filming is approved by Economic Development and ADBA. There is no filming in December.
  If filming in Downtown Abbotsford – A film liaison from AngusFilm will be on site throughout the duration of your filming. Please ensure all members of your crew understand the liaison's role and follow their guidance and instruction. Please contact Cameron Gardner or Peter Geering at info@angusfilm.ca
  
  Please include Abbotsford Downtown Business Association (ADBA) on all your requests to film in the Downtown Abbotsford area: Filming Downtown filming@downtownabbotsford.com and Jennifer McEwan jennifer@downtownabbotsford.com
- Mt. Lehman Community (Mt Lehman, Landing, Schroeder, Nicholson, Sangara) - All filming in this area to be pre-approved by the filming office.
  Productions to complete filming notifications with site map (one production at a time in this neighbourhood). No curfew extensions allowed at this time (7am-10pm). Filming to be contained to one property/site (including catering). Limited transport vehicles to area (with request for no transport during school pick up and drop off).
- 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.
Neighbourhood Film Notice Samples
- Reverse Polling Letter – Reverse Polling Letter Template - SAMPLE*
- Residents Reverse Polling Letter - CURFEW Extension - SAMPLE*
- Polling Form Sample Sheet - SAMPLE*
ADBA Filming Notices
- ADBA Filming Notice Letter Template - SAMPLE*
- Filming in Downtown Abbotsford - Polling Sheets
*if you would like a word version of the above documents - please contact the filming office at econdev@abbotsford.ca
- Drone Work - Transport Canada regulations and all Provincial and Federal privacy laws must be followed for all use of drones when filming in Abbotsford. To get a film permit for the use of a drone, you will be required to get an aviation liability insurance (in addition to the general liability insurance) for filming. Flight path restrictions may also be imposed over certain areas and parks to protect wildlife; such as birds during nesting season. Please submit your drone information to the Film Office (type of equipment and registration #, flight information (include site map), aviation insurance 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 - to use a hydrant you must have a temporary hydrant use permit.
- Park and Picnic Shelter Booking Form
- Pyrotechnics Permit Application
- Snow Use Agreement (please also include your MSDS sheet for any products being used)
- Transit - if your filming will interfere with the normal operations of any bus route - please inform the filming office and also contact BC Transit for approvals at 604-854-3232.
- Wrap Sheet

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) Draw down of fees possible
Street – Highways Use Permit:	$75 + $35 admin fee 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.

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Filming in Abbotsford

Virtual Filming Tours

Film Application Steps

Filming Resources & Templates

Film Fees

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Did you know?

Filming in Abbotsford

Virtual Filming Tours

Film Application Steps

Filming Resources & Templates

Film Fees

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Clayburn Village

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