Filming Guidelines
Permit, planning and insurance requirements to help plan your shoot in Oakville.
Requirements for your type of filming
Plan your shoot with the below minimum timelines to help with your film permitting needs in the Town of Oakville.
For each type of filming request we've listed the minimum required lead time:
- Streets, sidewalks and parking - 7 to 10 days
- Parks, athletic fields and community centres - 7 days
- Noise exemptions - 10 days
- "Have your say" notification letter informing surrounding neighbours about your film project - 7 days before filming activity begins (including coning)
- Town-owned facilities - 10 to 14 days
- Emergency services (for Fire and Police services as well as stunts, prop weaopns and explosion work) - 10 to 14 days
- Temporary road closures - 14 to 20 days (temporary advance warning signage must go up two weeks in advance of closure)
- Alter, remove or control traffic signs, streetlighting and street furniture - 7 to 10 days
- Parking in a municipal lot or at parking meters - 7 days
- Crane being used for temporary street occupancy - 10 to 14 days
- Centennial Pool Standing Set rental - 3 to 4 weeks
Still not sure where/when to begin?
Always reach out to our Pilot Project Film Office first. Email us at film.liaison@oakville.ca.
Town of Oakville commercial filming requirements vary depending on the location and scale of the film project. Review the guidelines below to determine applicable requirements. Once the film location has been selected, the Film Liaison will work with you to ensure all necessary documentation is complete.
The following guidelines apply to all location filming which takes place in Oakville, except for current affairs and newscasts:
- Plan accordingly based on the minimum required lead times shown.
- A “Have Your Say” notification letter will be provided per shoot by the Town of Oakville’s Film Liaison and emailed to the Location Manager ahead of the delivery deadline date. Production must hand deliver letters to affected properties 7-10 days ahead of any film production’s arrival. Please keep in mind weather dates and minimum timelines. Submissions that do not allow for minimum timelines to be met will not be considered.
- Filming after 7 p.m. may require a Noise Exemption Permit. Please keep in mind minimum timelines (10 days) for approvals and additional fees.
- Where deemed necessary by the appropriate town department or agency, a security deposit shall be required before issuing a film permit. This deposit shall not be returned, in whole or in part, until all invoices, charges and claims have been cleared.
- For all commercial film projects, a certificate of insurance for general comprehensive liability in the amount of $5 million, naming the Town of Oakville (1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON, L6H 0H3) as additional insured is a requirement.
- To avoid a parking ticket or possible towing, make sure that production vehicles display a valid road occupancy permit in a road-facing window of each parked vehicle.
- Crew vehicles must not block fire hydrants, driveways, or bus zones – or park within five metres of any other designated areas.
- Fees for town-owned and managed properties and services (for example, road occupancy) vary based on scale, duration and other factors. Once your Film Request Form has been submitted, you can request a quote.
- Scouting inquiries for town properties must be requested through the Film Liaison team. Please do not bypass this intake process even if you have contacts in the appropriate town department. This ensures the permitting process is as efficient as possible for your production.
Visit the Filming Locations page or explore Oakville's town maps to identify your ideal filming location.
The Town of Oakville remains committed to nurturing the next generation of film makers and working with educational institutions that require their students to apply for film permits as academic exercises.
Student filming is not considered commercial filming.
The following guidelines apply to student filming in Oakville:
- Student filming, conducted with or without a film permit, must abide by the safety guidelines for the film and television industry in Ontario.
- Blue-plated personal vehicles used by student filmmakers will not be issued road occupancy parking permits. Personal vehicles must park where available and permitted, in accordance with all posted and non-posted parking regulations.
- Student filming is subject to possible fees.
- A "Have Your Say" (HYS) Letter of notification may be required to be delivered by production 7 to 10 days before your filming date. Please consult the Film Liaison who will provide you with more information.
- Late night filming will not be permitted 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Filming after 7 p.m. may require a Noise Exemption Permit.
- Student filming is not permitted to undertake any special effects, use of prop weapons in public view or pedestrian/traffic stoppages requiring Halton Regional Police Services approval or Paid Duty Office supervision.
- Two documents are required for student filming in Oakville. Connect with the town's Film Liaison to submit the required documentation and get started on your film project.
- Letter from the academic institution confirming current program enrolment and that the filming project is for academic purposes.
- Certificate of Insurance noting the academic institution as the production company.
- Student productions wishing to film in Parks must be a current Sheridan College student.
Requirements for your location
Oakville is home to a well maintained mobility network for all who walk, drive or ride.
Permits are needed to restrict parking or film on infrastructure including Oakville streets, sidewalks, alleys, parking lots, vehicle overpasses or cycle tracks.
Safe traffic flow and pedestrian access is to be maintained. If it cannot be maintained, Paid Duty Officers (PDO) or Traffic Control Personnel will be required.
No generators or portable washrooms to be placed adjacent to any residential unit or boulevard cafe without prior notification.
In addition to the forms listed below, neighbourhood notification is required for film projects taking place on municipal streets. The Film Liaison will provide the letter template to inform the neighbourhood.
Things to consider when requesting a road closure:
- Lane closures will be considered if the impact on the public is within reason and congestion can be mitigated.
- Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) officers may be required to conduct traffic control duties for any on-street filming that will affect or interfere with traffic. The applicant must cover costs associated with the hiring of duty officers.
- Intermittent traffic stops (three minute maximum – excluding posted rush hours/clearway) will be considered on Oakville streets under PDO supervision or Traffic Control Personnel.
The Film Liaison will coordinate the parks/facility rental and parking permit process. Please fill out this Film Request Form to get the process started.
Oakville is filled with amazing parks, community centres, trails, and three harbours that offer a great deal of choice for production, with features such as Lake Ontario’s shoreline, access major sports fields, splash pads, ice rinks, green houses, and more.
A few highlights of Oakville’s parks offerings
- Many beautiful destination parks which have been used for filming in the past. For example, Coronation Park was used in HBO’s Handmaid’s Tale and the Nate Smith featuring Avril Lavigne music video for “Can you die of a broken heart?”
- Queen Elizabeth Park features a former school turned Community and Cultural Centre
- Oakville’s extensive Lake Ontario shoreline includes three harbours
- Municipal Greenhouse and Conservatory
Things to consider when requesting to film in a park or field
- Our goal is to accommodate filming requests; however, we must also consider access and availability for members of the public that use these resources. Filming options will be limited if production would greatly affect public access or an event has been previously booked.
- Filming may not be permitted in natural areas and wetlands in order to preserve their ecosystems.
- A cancellation fee may apply if production cancels the park filming without enough notice.
- Parks in Oakville close at 10 p.m.
Go to our Filming Locations page to scout locations of town facilities that can be used for filming.
General guidelines and considerations
Insurance documentation must be submitted to the Film Liaison in order to be issued a location filming permit.
Oakville requires evidence of insurance, in the form of a certificate of insurance, adding the Corporation of the Town of Oakville as additional insured from all permit applicants. This is to protect the town’s interests in the event of a third party claim arising from the permit applicant’s operations.
The following insurance industry standard requirements must appear on the certificate:
Commercial filming COI
- General Comprehensive Public Liability in the amount of $5 million per occurrence. An insurance policy that covers the insured against liability from a third party claim for bodily injury and or property damage which arise from the insured’s business, property or operations.
- Corporation of the Town of Oakville (1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON, L6H 0H3), must be named as an additional insured. A person or entity, other than the named insured, who is protected by the policy, most often in regard to a specific interest and with respect to the operations of the Named Insured. Your comprehensive general liability policy must add the Town of Oakville as an additional insured to protect the town where your actions or operations injure a third party for which a claim may be filed against you and/or the town.
Student Filming COI
- Certificate of insurance indicating coverage for student(s) filming in Oakville where the Corporation of the Town of Oakville (1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON, L6H 0H3) must be listed as an additional insured. Liability coverage must be a minimum of $2 million.
- The production company listed on the COI and registered on the Film Request Form must be the academic institution that the filming is being used for academic purposes.
Permit applicants should consult with their insurance advisors if further clarification and explanation is needed.
Production companies should limit negative environmental conditions resulting from filming, including spill-over lighting, garbage, exhaust fumes and noise, which may affect the enjoyment or operation of surrounding properties.
Please let the Film Liaison know of your plans to use a drone in advance of your shoot so we can review your request and launch/landing area.
Review the Government of Canada Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and drone guidelines to determine requirements.
Plan accordingly based on the minimum required lead times for road closures, intermittent traffic control, and special effects (SPFX) approvals.
Off-duty Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) police officers are available for hire to provide police presence for a range of functions including film shoots.
The town's Film Liaison, in consultation with the Halton Regional Police Services, determines the number of officers to be assigned according to the need for traffic control and public safety. If special effects are involved it may be necessary to assign an officer from the HRPS and/or Oakville Fire Department.
Production companies must apply for noise exemption permits if filming past 7 p.m. or production volume (including use of generators) exceeds permitted noise levels. Please contact the Film Liaison to discuss the potential noise your production might have in the neighbourhood in which you’re filming.
If applicable, productions need to apply for the extra permit at least 10 days in advance of their filming project requiring an exemption to allow proper processing times with the Town of Oakville.
Affected residents, occupants and business owners should be advised in advance of any loud noises on location, such as special effects or simulated gunfire. The Film Liaison will provide you with a list of properties based on a minimum radius of your filming location.
Park parking lot
Type: Lot daily booking for film
Unit: Per day
Fee: Variable, based on risk, scope and impact
Community centre parking lot
Type: Lot daily booking for film
Unit: Per day
Fee: Variable, based on risk, scope and impact
Paid parking zones (excluding Centennial Pool area)
Type: Road daily space rental for film
Unit: Per day or part thereof
Fee: $26.55 plus tax
Paid parking zones in Centennial Pool area (Water Street and adjacent lots)
Type: Road daily space rental for film
Unit: Per day or part thereof
Fee: $17.70 plus tax
Type: Monthly space rental for film
Unit: Per month (30 days)
Fee: $60 plus tax
Residential areas (non-metred)
Type: Road daily space rental for film
Unit: Per day or part thereof
Fee: $8.85 plus tax
Residential areas
Type: Overnight space rental for film (2 to 6 a.m.)
Unit: Per night or part thereof
Fee: $4.42 plus tax
2025 permit fees
Production will be provided a quote from film liaison based on scope, risk, and impact of production on area.
Final invoicing will be sent after filming after taking into account final footprint and permitting needs.
Productions may be subject to cancellation fees if the permit is cancelled with little notice.
For facility rentals (for example, Centennial Pool) please contact film.liaison@oakville.ca directly to discuss as fees are subject to change and will vary based on scope, risk, and impact.
Temporary Street Occupation (TSO) for Crane Use for Film Productions
If you would like to occupy the town’s right of way (the road, sidewalk, boulevard, shoulder or ditch) for a short period of time with a Crane, we call this activity a major temporary street occupation (TSO).
- A Major TSO will allow for temporarily occupying municipal lands for cranes, fixed/mobile tracked equipment, hoarding and shoring. Lane and road closures may also require a TSO on top of a road occupancy permit. Additional fees may apply.
- Off-duty Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) police officers are available for hire to provide police presence for a range of functions including film shoots.
For more information please inform the Film Liaison of your intended use/request for cranes to support your filming needs. Please keep in mind minimum timelines for processing,
Permits authorizing filming/parking between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in areas zoned residential will not be approved unless the majority of affected residential property owners/authorized personnel have given their approval. The Film Office will determine the impacted area in which the “Have Your Say” letter and signatures must be distributed for community feedback.
Permit exemptions authorizing filming/parking between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in areas not zoned residential may still require the distribution of a “Have Your Say” letter to impacted property owners/authorized personnel. The Film Office encourages productions to maintain a positive relationship with BIAs here in Oakville. The Film Office will determine the impacted area in which the “Have Your Say” letter must be distributed for community feedback.
Filming by students is not permitted between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. without exception.
Parks in the Town of Oakville close at 10 p.m. Special exemptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis to film/prep/wrap beyond 10 p.m.
The film company must provide physical written notice of “Have Your Say” letters of filming to affected residents, occupants, businesses owners and Business Improvement Areas (BIA) a minimum of 7 to 10 days prior to their earliest arrival (which includes any coning).
The Film Liaison will provide you with a list and a map of affected properties as well as the approved letter before your delivery date.
A majority of neighbourhood consent may be required if:
- Filming activity will occur after 11 p.m. and/or before 7 a.m., or
- It is deemed necessary by the Film Office.
The Film Office will consider the feedback provided by those affected to determine if a permit will be issued as requested, issued with conditions or declined.
Notification or neighbourhood consent must occur between 7-10 days before the anticipated start of filming activities (including prep/coning), depending on the scope and impact of the filming activities in the area. Contact the Film Liaison to discuss the requirements for your production.
The Film Liaison will notify councilors in advance of filming in their respective wards. These notifications will include the locations of filming and production vehicle parking.
Questions about filming on Oakville?
Contact the Film Liaison for more information on how to get started.
Call: 905-845-6601, ext. 3127
Email: film.liaison@oakville.ca.