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How do I apply for a permit to film in the City of Toronto? |
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View our scene-by-scene guide to filming in Toronto.
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Why do I need insurance? We are a very small production company. |
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Whether you are a crew of 1 or 100, The City of Toronto requires evidence of insurance in the form of a certificate of insurance. You must add the City as additional insured along with permit applicants. This is to protect the City's interests in the event of a third party claim arising from the permit applicant's operations.
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What is the cost of a permit? |
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There is no charge for the filming permit itself. However, if your production vehicles are parked where there are meters, our office will charge you for the meters based on the number of production vehicles, metered spaces and duration of parking. These charges will be reflected on your permit. Payment is accepted by way of cash, money order or certified cheque and is payable at the time you pick up your permit from our office.
Learn more about calculating meter fees (PDF 56Kb)
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When do I need a filming permit? |
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A filming permit is required when you are filming on any City-owned street, sidewalk, boulevard, park, building or property. A deposit and staffing charges may apply if you are filming at City Hall, Metro Hall or any of the five Civic Centres. Please contact our office for contact names and numbers.
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Do I need a permit to film on private property? |
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We do not issue permits if you are filming and parking on private property. However, if you are filming on private property and parking on a City owned street, you will require a permit. Also, if you are doing special effects on private property or filming in a residential neighbourhood, between the hours of 11 p.m. - 7 a.m., contact our office for clarification as you may need a permit.
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Do I need to hire Paid Duty Officers (PDOs)? |
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You need to hire Paid Duty Officers when there will be a road or lane closure or if intermittent traffic stoppages will be occurring. You also need to hire a PDO to help with pedestrian traffic when filming on the sidewalk.
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Do I need to notify the neighbourhood or obtain signatures to film? |
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You must deliver a letter of notification to the affected residents, occupants and businesses a minimum of 2 days prior to any filming activity or parking of production vehicles. Please note you must attach a copy of the Code of Conduct for Cast & Crew to the notification letter. You require signatures from a majority of affected residents if:
filming happens between 11 p.m. - 6 a.m.
your production vehicles arrive or depart outside of
 these times
filming takes place in a residential area for more than 7
consecutive days;
View a sample signature sheet (PDF 52Kb)
You may need the free Adobe Acrobat Viewer to view PDF files.
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I will be doing some major and some minor special effects. Do I need a separate permit? |
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You do not need a seperate permit for special effects but a special effects letter of intent form must be completed. Depending on the special effect, you may require a Toronto Police Service (TPS) or Emergency Task Force (ETF) officer. Toronto Police Service, ETF personnel and Toronto Fire Services must approve all special effects.Please ensure ample lead time when requesting approval for special effects.
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I will have scenes that involve helicopter filming. How do I get permission to do this? |
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Arrangements must be made for helicopter filming involving landings, take-offs and/or flying at altitudes less than 1,000 feet in the City of Toronto. An additional insurance certificate in the amount of $10,000,000 must be taken out by the helicopter company and a copy sent to this office. The helicopter company conducting the flight must make necessary arrangements with Transport Canada.
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I require City services to help with removing or covering certain obstacles like bicycle racks and street signs. |
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Our A - Z site index provides City contacts for everything from bicycle racks and street signs to removal of pay and display parking meters.
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