Filming In Delta

Complete and email a Filming Application Package to Film Office at least 7 working days prior to the filming activity. Additional notice is required for bigger productions or locations like Ladner Village, North 40 Park Reserve, and Westham Island.

Filming Application Package:

• Fully completed Filming Application Form
• Valid Commercial General Liability Certificate of Insurance with a minimum of $5 million naming the "City of Delta" as an additional insured. If an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) like a drone is involved, a UAV policy with limits of $2 million for liability is required.
• Draft Polling Letter/Form and Polling Map*
• Traffic Control/Management Plan
• Parking/Location/Site Map
• Draft Neighbourhood Film Notice and Notification Map

*Polling is required for productions in Ladner Village and Westham Island, and in general, for any noise variance requests. Noise Control Bylaw Hours are 7 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday; 9 am to 5 pm, Saturdays; and no noise on Sundays or Statutory Holidays. Otherwise, the Film Office will determine if polling is needed in requested area.

The application will be activated when the application package is received, and production company can then pay the filming application fee online. Upon payment, the Film Office starts the review process which may involve consultation with related department(s).

All relevant filming fees and deposit need to be remitted to the City prior to approval of filming permit. These include park and city facility rental fees.

Filming  Application fee can be paid online and for all other fees/deposits via cheque (payable to City of Delta) to be delivered to Engineering Front Counter, City Hall, 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta. Opening hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday.

Deposit refund cheque typically takes around 4 weeks to process and will be mailed to the payor’s address. Full or partial deposit may be refunded depending on the actual service costs incurred by production; any damages caused or unmet conditions by production company.

For filming fees, please visit: Schedule 8 of Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw

Note: Administrative charge of 15% will be added to City services.

• Verified student productions are exempt from filming application fees but are subject to charges if they require city services (i.e. police, fire, liaison, parking, city facility/park use, etc.). Students must provide proof of registration in an accredited educational institution.

Delta's Goods and Services Tax Number: 121377592

Permit & Approvals

• All productions require a filming permit for locations under Delta’s jurisdiction.
• Polling letters and film notifications must be reviewed and approved by the Film Office before distribution.
• For noise variance requests, notifications must be distributed at least 5 days prior to filming activity.
• Direct approvals must be obtained from regulatory bodies for locations outside Delta’s jurisdiction (e.g., Federal/Provincial, Metro Vancouver, Transport Canada, Tsawwassen First Nation). A copy of the approval must be provided to the Delta Film Office.
• All filming must follow federal, provincial, and local protocols. For more details, visit BC Film Commission Protocols and Resources.

Liaison & Oversight

• A Film Site Liaison Officer contracted by the City (funded by the production company) is required for filming in: 
  • Ladner Village
  • North 40 Park Reserve
  • Westham Island

Location Restrictions

• Filming on Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) must comply with the ALR General Regulation.
• No filming requests will be accepted for: 
  • Cemetery
  • City Hall
  • Old Delta Municipal Hall / Delta Museum and Archives

Timing Restrictions

Unless granted by the Film Office, filming will not take place during:

• Statutory holidays and/or Sundays
• City Special Events
• Active construction or anticipated City works near the proposed filming area
• If there is already active filming nearby

Compliance & Enforcement

• The City of Delta retains the right to refuse or cancel a filming application or permit if: 
  • The property owner or production company is non-compliant with any City policy, permit conditions, bylaws, licenses, fire orders, or other applicable laws/regulations.
• Additional fees and fines may apply for violations.

Other Requirements

• Business Licence is not required for filming in Delta.
• If a Hydrant Use Permit is needed, submit the Hydrant Use Permit Application Form to engineering@delta.ca.
• Electrical/SPFX Equipment Operating Permits can be secured through Technical Safety BC.

General Requirements

• No weekend filming in Ladner Village during summer months.
• Minimum 7 days between any filming production and/or special event.
• Film Liaison from Angusfilm must be on-site during technical survey, prep, shoot, and wrap.
• Polling is required, signed only by the owner or manager, and positive results are necessary before the application can proceed.
• Production companies must engage with businesses to understand and mitigate disruption prior to application.

Traffic & Parking

• Minimal traffic and parking interruptions are preferred.
• Most film vehicles should be parked off-site/outside Ladner Village.

Pedestrian Access

• No limit on pedestrian access to businesses.
• If approved, pedestrian access can be restricted for a maximum of 3-minute intervals.
• Exceptions for extended lock-ups must be reviewed and approved by Delta Engineering.
• If access is blocked, the production company must provide an alternative route to access businesses.

Signage Requirements

Provide clear signage as follows:

• “Filming is in Progress”
• Assistant Locations Manager on Set: <name>, <cell number>
• Production Office Number: <office number>
• Delta’s Third-Party Film Liaison Number on Set: <name>, <cell number>
• “Businesses Open as Usual”

Environmental & Wildlife Protection Requirements

• Bird Nesting Season:* March 1 – August 31 
• A Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) must conduct a nest survey before any activity that could disturb active nests (including but not limited to: drones, lighting, noise, vegetation disturbance or clearing).
• Survey validity: up to 5 days from the day of the QEP’s field observations or as determined by QEP. If work begins after the survey validity period, a new survey is required.
• Production to implement all recommendations made by the QEP to prevent nest disturbance or destruction.
• QEP report must be submitted before permit issuance.

*Bald eagle nests are protected year-round; they may start nesting earlier than March 1. Great Blue Heron nests and Pileated Woodpecker cavities are also protected year-round.

Filming & Event Requirements

• Minimum 7 days between any filming production and/or special event.
• Film Liaison from Angusfilm must be on-site during technical survey, prep, shoot, and wrap.
• Filming notification posted at park entrance at least 5 days prior.
• Speed limit signage (max 5 km/hr) installed by production before filming.
• No digging, tree cutting or clearing unless approved and completed by Delta Engineering Operations.
• Production assistant stationed at park entrance.
• Share lighting and drone plans with Boundary Bay Airport Air Traffic Control.
• Park must remain open to the public, and parking available at entrance.
• Detailed filming plan must be approved by Parks Department before permit issuance.

General Requirements

• Minimum 7 days between any filming production and/or special event.
• Film Liaison from Angusfilm must be on-site during technical survey and shoot and may be required for prep and wrap.
• Polling is required, and positive polling results are necessary before the application can move forward.
• Filming must meet the requirements of Agricultural Land Reserve Use Regulation.

Location & Activity Restrictions

• Filming is restricted to private property.
• Filming activity cannot impact or disrupt road traffic and/or harvesting operations, including film-related traffic to and from the filming location.
• Farming vehicles always have the right-of-way.

Agricultural Schedule Considerations

Work around the farming schedule unless approved by the Film Office:

• Planting: April – June
• Harvesting: July – August (berries, forage), mid–late October (potatoes, cranberries)
• U-Pick: June – August
• Distribution shipping: December – January/February (especially potatoes)

• Delta Map
• BC Film Commission at Creative BC – Industry and Community Affairs Resources
• BC Film Commission at Creative BC – Filming in Business Areas
• BC Film Commission at Creative BC – Filming in Residential Areas
• Delta's Third Party Film Liaison: Angusfilm Production Services – info@angusfilm.ca