Film Permit Process

The objective of film permitting is to provide a centralized and efficient procedure for obtaining City authorization(s) for filming in the City of Kamloops. Kamloops is a film-friendly location, and we encourage establishing business, industry, and expertise to support and complement the film industry in our community.

Film permitting:

provides the city liability insurance
prevents irreparable property damage
protects public safety
minimizes public inconveniences
recovers costs incurred for services associated with filming activities
ensures that film activities fully observe City bylaws

Things to Note Before Getting Started

If you plan to film in Kamloops, please contact the City’s film official at filmproduction@kamloops.ca or 250-828-3312 to discuss your project’s scope, dates, times, and possible locations and activities so we can best serve you.
The Film Permitting Bylaw 35-96 includes guidelines for all remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS)/drone (filming) activity in the city, whether for commercial or other purposes. Please refer to the RPAS/drone activity page for more information.
All initial film permitting requests must be made well in advance of the project and not less than five working days prior commencing filming activities. For complicated projects, additional advance notice will be required. The City cannot guarantee its authorization(s) of the film project and/or provision of services if insufficient notice is given.
Payments can be made at City Hall by cheque, cash, or debit. Cheque can also be mailed to City Hall. The terms are net 30 days from invoicing.
Authorization forms and schedules of requirements and guidelines are available from the City’s film official.
Due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, information regarding the status of safety planning requirements can be found on the WorkSafeBC and Creative BC websites.

Once you have discussed and confirmed your plans with the City, please follow these steps:

- film permit application form, which can be submitted to filmproduction@kamloops.ca.
- certificate of insurance, with additional coverage of $5 million per occurrence for general comprehensive liability when filming on City of Kamloops land, on roads, or on property—the City MUST be named as an additional insured, and additional insurance may be required based on scope of activity
- City of Kamloops business licence—required to operate in the City of Kamloops; complete the application form and submit payment prior to the start of filming.
A refundable security deposit may be required and is payable by cheque. The deposit is held when commercial film productions are carried out on City property, including roads, parks, and other locations.
The City’s film official will review the film location schedule to establish the scope, risk, and possible impact to the City; discuss the project with production company staff; and work with the City’s Risk Management Division to determine the level of security/damage deposit required.
The deposit will be returned in full once all payments have been submitted at the wrap of production, provided no damage has occurred to City property. The amount refunded will be adjusted for unpaid invoices owed to the City, including, but not limited to, damage repair costs, rental charges, and staffing costs (only if payment has not already been remitted). The deposit will be inclusive of any other securities required to be taken for other permits.
- Apply for all electrical permits directly with the BC Safety Authority.
- Apply for a road right-of-way (ROW) usage permit to film on municipal streets.
- To obtain permits for City-controlled parking lots or stalls, please contact the City’s film official.
- The City has a Good Neighbour Bylaw 49-1, which includes noise regulations (S.3). The City knows that at times, a production may need to film outside of the 7:00 am–10:00 pm regulations. For more information regarding the process to obtain a Good Neighbour Bylaw exemption, please contact the City’s film official.
All for-profit productions that film in the City of Kamloops are required to pay filming fees that vary, depending on the scope of work, risk, locations, land, and property use. Please review the film fees outlined in Film Permitting Bylaw No. 35-96 and contact the City’s film official with any questions and for clarification about what applies to your production. Filming fees should be paid prior to filming whenever possible.

Municipal Cost Recovery

The City operates its film services as a cost recovery program and, as such, requires that the time employees spend assisting productions with coordination and approvals be compensated. Some examples of those activities include, but aren’t limited to, getting approval to film outside the bylaw hours, attending the technical site scouting and survey, assisting with parking and traffic needs, after hours calls to sites or for complaints, etc.

The City does not charge for basic support activities, such as initial contact to file a film permit and discuss film details or for providing information about obtaining a business licence. The City’s film official will provide regular updates to production companies about any time charged (in writing) and will clarify charges as needed.

If contracted services are required to complete a project for a film production, such as building a special sign or prop, the production will be charged at the contractor’s rates, not the municipal hourly rate.

Pyrotechnic Approvals

All productions involving pyrotechnic activities require special approval from Kamloops Fire Rescue. Requests for pyrotechnic activities shall be reviewed at a meeting between the film production company and all approval authorities, which is to be held at least 10 working days prior to the scheduled event. The City’s film official will assist with the meeting coordination.

Tips to Remember When Filming in Kamloops

Permitted circus and crew load-in and load-out times. All load-in and load-out filming activities on municipal AND private land (including the arrival, set-up, and load-out of circus vehicles and crew trucks) must be completed during permitted hours (7:00 am–10:00 pm, seven days a week).
Kamloops is home to a diverse range of wildlife. As such, food waste and garbage need to be kept in closed containers or kept indoors until it can be disposed of at City waste site. Failure to comply may result in a risk to the public or to wildlife and fines up to $10,000.
Productions involving stunts, emergency vehicles, firearms, and/or pyrotechnics MUST follow all industry guidelines and federal and provincial laws, and the City’s film official must be notified at least five days prior to any such planned activities.
The City reserves the right to approve or deny any request for filming involving property, assets, right-of-way, etc. that is owned or governed by the City.

Budget 2024

Business Licence Renewal

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