Letters of Notification

Notification letters (templates below) must be distributed to residents and business in the area in which filming activity will take place a minimum of 48 hours in advance of your arrival, including prep days and coning. This allows area residents and businesses the opportunity to respond.

Filming Letter of Notification Template

Reoccuring Filming Location Letter of Notification Template

Both sides of the street should be lettered where filming activity is taking place, or as otherwise instructed by Toronto Film, Television and Digital Office staff.

Toronto Film, Television and Digital Office staff must review and approve the letters before they are delivered to ensure that variances to the guidelines are clearly stated. Email letters to filmtoronto@toronto.ca (always indicate project title in subject line) with sufficient time to avoid delays.

The letter should:

• Identify the film company, type and title of production on film company letterhead
• Provide the name and phone number of the location manager and assistant location manager
• Provide the duration of filming (e.g. one day, two consecutive days, recurring location for [ x ] number of days over [ x ] number of months) and times (e.g. 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
• State the proposed parking locations of the production unit, including street name, side of street, parameters etc.
• Include the date(s) and times that coning and/or production vehicles will arrive at the location, as well as wrap date and time
• Propose alternate parking arrangements for any parking permit holders who may be displaced by the production. It is up to the film company to find suitable alternative parking for residents.
• Detail any street dressing, gunfire or special effects
• Include the general contact information for the Toronto Film, Television & Digital Media Office: filmtoronto@toronto.ca; 416-338-3456. Do not include contact information for individual staff of the Toronto Film, Television and Digital Office.
• Include a link to the Filming Guidelines and the Code of Conduct for Cast and Crew.
• Include the following statement: To obtain further information regarding the guidelines for filming refer to the City of Toronto website toronto.ca/film.

Requesting Exemptions

Film productions must provide additional notification to impacted residents via the Have Your Say letter regarding requests for activity in neighbourhoods that would exceed the default street usage and/or hours of operation limitations in the Filming Guidelines.

The Have Your Say letter (templates below) must be delivered to impacted residents, as determined by the Film Office, allowing those residents to confidentially and equitably voice concerns, ask questions or request accommodations.

This process ensures citizens are basing their responses on accurate information vetted by the City of Toronto, and is the sole means used to determine if guideline exemptions can be issued.

Permit exemptions in areas zoned residential will not be approved if the majority of affected residential property owners or authorized personnel (examples: condo corporation, building management) object to the requested exemption.

If residents choose to object to the requested film guideline exemption(s), they must contact filmtoronto@toronto.ca. and provide their name and address. Residents’ personal information is kept confidential and will not be shared with film production crew.

Have Your Say Template

Have Your Say Reoccuring Letter Template

Notes on Exemption Timelines

• Timelines above reflect the minimum amount of notice. Productions are able to adjust the above timelines to afford the neighbourhood and production more time to plan. Please discuss dates with your film coordinator.
• Please plan ahead. The dates and times above reflect the Toronto Film, Television & Digital Media Office opening and closing hours and consultation with the neighbourhood.
• Any changes to the above timelines will require the approval of the Film Commissioner.