Services for Production

City services for production

We’re making it easier to access municipal services and locations

The City of Calgary is supporting a thriving creative economy and the growth of the film and TV industry by offering access to public spaces and City services, supporting partnerships and programs.

The Film Friendly Team supports productions, coordinates City services and makes it easy to apply for required permits.

We've simplified and streamlined our permitting process.

Redesigned to provide one window for all requests for support from the City of Calgary, this process also tracks economic activity, the needs of the industry and helps the City develop a sustainable program.

If you do not require municipal permits and need information about filming on private properties and scouting please visit our partner Calgary Economic Development.

Ready to get started?

See available City services and locations
Start the application process

City services, locations and fees

The City offers a wide range of services to the film and TV industry. Review the service terms, requirements and pricing at the cards below. 

Permits are needed to film any motion picture, TV program, commercial, music video or commercial still photography on City of Calgary property.

Permit requirements do not apply to television stations preparing news or current affairs programs.

  • Streets, sidewalks and parking

    Minimum 5-10 business days lead time

    For filming on City of Calgary streets, sidewalks and for restricted street parking.

  • Noise exemption

    Minimum 5 business days lead time

    For when production noise will exceed allowable noise limits.

  • Parks and athletic fields

    Minimum 5 business days lead time

    For filming in City of Calgary greenspaces, playfields, parks and pathways.

  • City-owned facilities

    Minimum 10 business days lead time

    For use of properties and buildings owned by the City of Calgary.

  • Transit

    Minimum 14 business days lead time

    For filming on any Calgary Transit property including buses, CTrain cars and CTrain platforms.

  • Drones

    Minimum 10 business days lead time

    A permit is required when flying a drone from City of Calgary property.

  • Emergency services

    Minimum 3 weeks lead time

    For fire and police services as well as stunts, prop weapons and explosions work.

  • Other services

    Lead times vary

    Including use of helicopters, hot air balloons and low-flying aircraft.

  • Contact us

    If you have questions and would like to get in touch with a City of Calgary Film Permits & Services Coordinator, please email us at film@calgary.ca.

Requesting City Services

Location Scouting

Curious about access to a City owned building or public space? Want to tour it before requesting to book?

Scouting inquiries for City properties must be submitted through the Film Friendly Team. This ensures the process is as efficient as possible. DO NOT bypass this intake process even if you have contacts in the City department as they cannot review and approve the request.

Tour scheduling is subject to the operations of that building. Public buildings, vehicles, playfields, lobby’s and mechanical areas require coordination and approval before accessing. Public plazas and parks may be toured without contacting the City.

Email the Film Friendly Team to set up a site tour

Email film@calgary.ca and a Film Friendly Team member will reply within 2 business days to coordinate a tour.

Include the following information in the email:

  • Required:
    • Address of the location
    • Three preferred tour dates and time
    • Name of Production Company
    • Location Manager contact information (name, email and phone)
    • Number of people and departments attending the tour
    • Information about the reason for the tour (i.e. Location scouting or technical survey).
  • Optional:
    • Production Title
    • Location or building name
    • Any specific areas or features at the location that you are looking to access.
    • Information about the scene you are filming that align with this location.

Step 1: Film Production Information Sheet with the Calgary Film Commission.

All productions filming in Calgary must submit the Film Production Information Sheet. You will leave our site temporarily to fill this out. 

Submitting this form helps our partner the Calgary Film Commission gather data to better position Calgary, support industry growth and capture the positive impact that the screen industries have on our region’s economy. 

If you have any issues completing or submitting the form, please contact filmtv@calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com for assistance.  

Complete the Film Production Information Sheet

Step 2: City of Calgary Film Services Intake form.

Step 2 assigns a City of Calgary Film Permits & Services Coordinator to your production. Within two business days, a Coordinator will reach out to discuss your production plans, help determine what services you may need and answer any questions you have.

Complete the City of Calgary Film Production Intake form

If you want to scout a location or know the locations, dates and services you will be needing, you can continue before hearing back from a Coordinator. If you are still developing plans and uncertain of your production’s needs, stop at Step 2.

Please note that each step starts after the previous one ends – they are not completed at the same time. Replies for Step 2 will take up to 2 business days. After Step 2 is completed, service approvals in Step 3 will take between 5 and 21 business days. Please ensure you are leaving enough time in your planning.

* Required documents – Before approval will be provided all productions must submit the below forms. You can submit these at any step in the process through the intake system or by email to ensure there are no delays. 

Step 3: Fill out the Film Services Intake Form to request City of Calgary services.

If you have all the information for the required fields in Step 3, you may continue before the Coordinator reaches out.

See above for detailed information on each service area to help with trouble shooting, planning, requirements and minimum submission lead times. 

Please note that each step starts after the previous one ends – they are not completed at the same time. Replies for Step 2 will take up to 2 business days. After Step 2 is completed, service approvals in Step 3 will take between 5 and 21 business days. Please ensure you are leaving enough time in your planning.

Before approval will be granted, all productions must provide the following requirements through the application process or by email to their Coordinator. These can be submitted at any step in the process. 

Fill out the application form at the link below to request services.

Film Services Application

Some services are not supported by our online system at this time. Please download the below application forms as you require and attach them in the Step 3 application process. 

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