Filming in Abbotsford

• Abbywood Self Guided Tour

  View the Abbywood's Walk of Fame Self Guided Tour
  Learn what amazing productions have been filmed here in Abbywood!

• Arenas, Auditoriums and Halls

  Filming in Arenas, Auditoriums and Halls

• Clayburn Village

  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) 7am-10pm
• Courthouse

  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

  Blackout Dates for Booking Courthouse

  • December 1,2024-Jan 6 2025
• Historic Downtown Abbotsford

  Filming in Historic Downtown Abbotsford

  For more information on filming in Downtown Abbotsford, please contact filming@abbotsford.ca

  • When 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
  • Signature polling is required when filming in Downtown
  • Please include Abbotsford Downtown Business Association (ADBA) on requests to film in the Abbotsford Downtown area & filming correspondence: 
    Filming Downtown filming@downtownabbotsford.com and  Jennifer McEwan jennifer@downtownabbotsford.com

  No filming in Abbotsford Downtown during the month of December *

• Mt Lehman Community

  We are currently only permitting a max of  1-2 productions per month in this neighbourhood.

  The following guidelines for filming in Mt Lehman (Mt Lehman, Nicholson, Schroeder, Landing):

  • No curfew extensions permitted for this area  - 7am to 10pm 
    (*no exemptions will be made at this time)
  • 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)
  • No parking at Mt Lehman Hall (where possible)
  • Due to the narrow roads in this area - there is no parking permitted on any streets and no road scenes in the area
  • Mt Lehman Community Association suggests a donation be made to the community association for filming in the community 

  No filming in Mt Lehman during the month of December *

• Parks

  Filming in Abbotsford Parks

  To request a park booking or to check availability for filming, please fill out the online booking request  form.

  If filming in any of our City Parks or Trails – 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

  No filming in Abbotsford Parks from December 23-January 2, 2025

• Restaurants and Cafes

  Filming in Restaurants and Cafes

• Tradex

  To film at Tradex, please contact Susan, Director of Sales and Business Development by email at SSTEFFENS@TRADEXBC.COM

Film Application Steps

• 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 Film Office by phone: 604.864.5670 or by email.
  3. Determine your filming location(s) - the virtual film tours above are a great resource tool to help you with your location search. The film office may place a hold in the film calendar for your production - this DOES NOT guarantee your filming location -  a film application must be submitted to secure your date/location. Film holds may be released after 24hrs if the film office receives no response from your team.
  4. Complete the online Abbotsford Film Application.
     Film applications should be submitted no less than 14 days prior to filming activity commencing together with your Filming Application Fee  ($350 +GST - fee is non refundable)
     * Please DO NOT submit your filming application with multiple hold locations  and/or a block of dates* Please confirm locations prior to submission of your application.
  5. Complete a Film Production Business Licence application. Related filming contractors should also hold a valid City of Abbotsford business licence. If you wish to draw down from deposit fee please advise film office and a business licence application can be sent to your production.
  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 film office your security deposit (Cheque or Money Order)
  8. All onsite catering/food trucks are required to have current fire decals; business licence; and valid health permits. 
• STEP TWO: Security Deposit

  1. The Filming office will determine your film deposit amount based upon your film production requirements (MOW/Series $5,000) Commercials ($2,000) - larger productions will be based on scope
  2. All deposits are to be made by cheque/money order and payable to the “City of Abbotsford”
     Please address envelope to the Filming Office,  5th floor, City of Abbotsford,  32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford BC.
     *You may leave payment with Reception Desk on the 1st floor
• STEP THREE: Highway Use Permit Application

  REQUEST FOR USE OF CITY STREETS. Film production company must request the use of any City streets/sidewalks by completing a highway use application. Ensure you include crew and circus parking proposal, lighting placement, sidewalk scenes, generator placement, snow/ice placement, etc.

  • Highway Use Permit - Filming 
    (Please submit your Filming Highway Use permit application a minimum of 7 business days prior to your filming date; if you require a TMP (for intermittent or full closures),  please submit a minimum of 10 business days prior to your filming date, in order to ensure enough time for processing of your request)
    *Please note: you will be required to include your business licence, WCB certificate; insurance documentation and related site maps/TMP with your hup application 
  • To  obtain your WCB Certificate/Clearance Letter, please visit WorkSafe BC
  • For more information, please refer to the Street and Traffic Bylaw
• STEP FOUR: Community Engagement and Filming Notification

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

• STEP FIVE: Filming and Payment of Services

  Filming
  During filming there must always be a senior member of the production team on set who is knowledgeable with the City of Abbotsford filming guidelines and the scope of your 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
• STEP SIX: Filming Wrap Sheet

  Please fill out the Filming Wrap Sheet within 2 weeks after your film production wraps and submit it to the City of Abbotsford Filming office OR your can complete the wrap sheet online using our Filming Wrap Form

• Student Productions

  Student productions - please contact the filming office at filming@abbotsford.ca 
  Please submit filming application  and select other - student production. 
  
  The City of Abbotsford supports student productions that are a requirement of school projects/curriculum. These student productions will require a letter from your educational institution verifying your project (and a copy of educational institution school insurance)  Filming application fee will be waived. *Facility rental fees and/or highway use fees associated with production may be applicable depending on your scope.

Filming Resources & Templates

• Permits & Form Information

  • Bulk Water Supply Stations . Please download and complete the Bulk Water Filling Station Permit Water supply stations can be found in Abbotsford at:
    • 1400 Townline Rd
    • 34075 Farmer Rd
    • 4076 Sumas Mountain Rd
  • 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. Please complete the online hydrant request form
  • 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 Transit for approvals at 604-854-3232.
  • Wrap Sheet or Online Filming Wrap Form
• Film Resource Guide

  Abbotsford Film Resource Guide - coming soon

• RESIDENT TOOL KIT

  Download the Creative BC Resident Toolkit for homeowners, tenants, and neighbours. 

• BUSINESS OWNER TOOL KIT

  Download the Creative BC Filming Toolkit for Businesses for business owners, storefronts, and commercial properties.

Film Fees

• Filming Fee Schedule

  Item	Rate (All payments processed through the Film Office)
  Film Permit Application:	$350 plus GST per application = $367.50 (Non-refundable) *change fees may apply
  Business License (GST included):	$281 + $25 admin fee - $306
  Security Deposit:	To be determined (Refundable) Draw down of fees possible
  Street – Highways Use Permit:	$75 + $35 admin fee = $110 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:	Deposit required (APD will determine)
  Police Car:	Deposit required (APD will determine)
  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 in the City of Abbotsford, 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.