• Before you submit a permit request, please review the Calgary Police’s information on the safe operation of drones.
• Drone areas throughout the city have been considered to allow for as broad use as possible, however there are control areas in which drones are not allowed, including the airport, all splash parks, and all cemeteries. Details can be found here.
• If flight plans include provincial lands, please go to the Province of Alberta’s Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles website for information and to apply for permits. Please note that it may take at least 10 business days and up to 30 days to gain the necessary provincial approvals.

• A permit is required for commercial drone usage when launching or landing from City of Calgary property including within (launching from or flying over) any City of Calgary Park or greenspace.
  • The permit applicant must provide the date and time of the expected drone flight, as well as accurate map(s) which identify the drone launching and landing location(s), and flight path.
  • The permit applicant will also need to provide proof of insurance and copies of their drone registration and drone pilot certificate from Transport Canada, an arm of the federal government.
• Permit applicant and drone pilot must ensure they comply with the Migratory Birds Regulations and Alberta Wildlife Act.
• To reduce risk to wildlife and the related requirements, drone usage within natural areas should be avoided, where possible. 
• Drone launching and landing must not occur within, or within 30m of, natural area parks. Drone launching and landing should be completed from a surface such as mowed grass, pathway or parking lot.
• Drone flight paths must avoid flocks of birds, bats, and wildlife in general. If the flightpath is set to interfere with wildlife in the air, the flight path must be altered or flight delayed. If the drone appears to disturb any birds on the ground, water, or within a tree, the drone pilot must increase the altitude of the drone and immediately fly the drone away from that location.
• The drone should remain a minimum of 30 meters above trees and any natural area vegetation when flying over such vegetation along the flightpath to avoid potential nesting birds.
• From March 15 to August 31 (dates subject to change yearly), wildlife including nesting birds utilizing parks and greenspaces are particularly more sensitive to disturbance. Film productions must be aware of this, and it is their duty to comply with provincial and federal legislation surrounding migratory birds and other wildlife. If flight paths occur within parks or greenspaces where the drone needs to be within 30 m of any tree or any natural area vegetation during this time frame, a qualified biologist must be consulted to determine what level of wildlife sweep should be performed (as per the AB Wildlife Sweep Protocols) by the qualified biologist along the flight path to identify important wildlife features to avoid during flying. The qualified biologist should be present on site during the drone usage to ensure compliance to their recommendations.  

All fees are subject to change and 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) 

• Fees vary based on the weight of the drone along with launch and landing locations. Our Film Friendly team will assist you with quotes.