Land use - film

British Columbia is a top film and television production center in North America. To accommodate the growing industry, the Commercial Film Tenure Program makes Crown land available for the production of motion pictures and television programs. It also makes land available for still photography for commercial, educational and promotional purposes.

On this page

• Application documents
• Who may apply?
• Types of tenure
• Fees and costs
• Additional requirements
• Potential additional requirements

Permission to use Crown land is obtained by application to the B.C. government.

The quick-pace film industry requires a quick approval process. The B.C. government has established a condensed application process, supported by other agencies of government. Applicants are encouraged to contact the FrontCounter BC office nearest to where they plan to film as early as possible to determine additional considerations specific to their application and associated processing time frames.

Application documents

In addition to reading the information on this webpage, the following documents should be reviewed prior to submitting your application:

• Commercial - General Policy (PDF, 201KB)
• B.C. Film Location Policy
• Sample Site Maps

The following documents must be completed prior to submitting your application:

Complete Application Package which includes:

• Crown land application
• Film Requirement List/Film Activity Letter (PDF, 239 KB)
• Certificate of Insurance (DOC, 132KB)

Who may apply?

Companies must be registered in British Columbia to be eligible for commercial film tenures. Even companies already registered outside the province must register in B.C. to obtain a commercial film tenure. Under certain circumstances, private individuals may apply on behalf of a film company.

Types of tenure

Either a temporary licence or a standard licence may be granted.

• A Commercial Film temporary licence is the most common form of film tenure. It permits use of Crown land for up to 6 months, where the use is limited to the filming of scenery or backdrops involving no structural improvements, camps or large equipment
• A Licence of Occupation is required where a commercial film production calls for substantial improvements, camps, vehicles, large equipment or modifications to the land. A licence is normally issued for one year

Fees and costs

You will be required to pay an application fee when you submit your application, as identified in the Crown land fees schedule (PDF, 49KB).

Required for a commercial film tenure are:

• Rent - see pricing listed for Temporary Licence or Licence of Occupation (Film) in Appendix 12 – Land Policy Pricing – General Commercial (PDF, 7.7MB)
• A $5,000 security deposit as outlined in the general commercial policy, and
• A minimum of $3 million in liability insurance

Additional requirements

The most common reason for delay is submission of an incomplete application, which is then returned to the applicant.

Applicants should be aware of the Province’s consultation obligations with First Nations and associated time requirements for meaningful consultation. In many locations, the Province has agreements with First Nations which include engagement protocols for applications which may affect their interests.  There may be occasions when additional detailed information is required to allow for the appropriate review of an application. It is important that applicants provide the necessary detailed information as requested in the Application Package in order to avoid a longer than anticipated period of time to evaluate the application.  

If your application is accepted, you will be notified if Advertising is required. Please wait for confirmation before advertising.

Potential additional requirements

• Agent letter (PDF, 75KB) is required when an agent or consultant will be acting on behalf of an applicant
• Certificate of incorporation is required when the applicant is a company registered in B.C.
• Co-applicant permission is required when more than one applicant has requested to be named on the tenure document, which makes them co-applicants. A separate letter is required for each co-applicant and is generated within the online application system. The letter authorizes the main applicant to provide personal information for all co-applicants
• Occupant licence to cut is required when the tenure holder needs to cut timber on the Crown land tenure
• Road use permit for a Forest Service road, or a maintenance agreement with an existing road permit or special use permit holder, is required if the tenure holder will transport heavy equipment or materials on an existing Forest Service road
• Water Sustainability Act – change or use approval which allows the tenure holder to make changes in and about a freshwater source. Change or use approval applies depending on activity and length of use