Filming in Oshawa

Do you require a Filming Location Permit for all filming in Oshawa?

All film and television production activity must be reported to and coordinated through Economic Development Services at the City of Oshawa. This includes all requests for filming, whether on private or public property, but does not include street interviews, newscasts, press conferences or visual recordings for personal purposes.

What is the cost of obtaining a Filming Location Permit?

There is no cost to obtain a Filming Location Permit.

What is the process for getting approval to film in Oshawa?

A Filming Location Permit Request should be submitted to Economic Development Services staff, and they will circulate all Filming Location Permit information to appropriate staff and external parties as required. This circulation and notification process may take up to five business days (or more if a road closure is requested).

What paperwork is required for filming?

You will need to complete the following documents:

• Filming Location Permit Request
• Insurance Certificate as specified

Depending on the details of your particular production, additional approvals or paperwork may be required.

Are there any regulations for using Special Effects (F.X.) and stunts?

The use of guns, gunfire, explosives, fireworks, bomb mock-ups, flash powder, detonators or flammable liquids/materials, otherwise known as Special Effects (F.X.), and the filming of dangerous stunts require notification of and approval from the appropriate authorities. A Special Effects Plan shall be submitted for review by the appropriate authorities. There is a fee for the review of the Special Effects Plan. Paid Duty Police Officers, Fire Services and EMS personnel may be required at the filming location for the detonation of Special Effects (F.X.) and dangerous situations filming. Any costs associated with these filming activities, including any restoration work, are at the expense of the Production Company.

Do we have to notify residents and businesses in the area when filming?

The Production Company may be required to notify any affected residents and local businesses in writing, prior to the commencement of filming activities. The Production Company shall also provide a copy of the notification to the City to retain on file.

How can the Production Company minimize the impact of filming activities on adjacent neighbourhoods?

• Noise: Make sure that you abide by the City’s Noise By-Law.
• Lighting: Lighting for filming should be oriented away from neighbouring residences and businesses.
• Generators: All generators used on streets or in public areas should be equipped with silencing attachments.
• Night Filming: Filming should not take place in residential areas after 11:00 p.m. Any restricted activities will require written permission from the City.
• Animals: Wild Animals and Exotic Animals as defined under By-Law 11-96, as amended, are not permitted to be kept within Oshawa under most circumstances.

What are the basic insurance requirements?

The Production Company shall have in place a Commercial General Liability insurance policy written on an occurrence basis with a liability limit of not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000), or an amount deemed to be satisfactory to the City at its sole discretion, per accident or occurrence and the policy must name the City of Oshawa as an Additional Insured. If Special Effects (F.X.) are involved in filming, the liability limit may be increased to an amount that is satisfactory to the City.

Will there be additional costs associated with filming in Oshawa?

• Road Closures:  If the filming requires intermittent traffic stops, rolling stops or a complete closure on a City road or a Region of Durham road, a Road Occupancy Permit (R.O.P.) will be required. There is a cost for a minor City R.O.P.  Additional costs may be incurred for a road closure of a Region road.  In addition to the fee for the ROP, there would be staff and equipment costs associated with closing a road, including but not limited to Paid Duty Police Officers.  These fees may vary depending on the time of day, day of week and extent of closure.  City Traffic Services will provide an estimate of anticipated costs for the applicant.  Road Occupancy Permits are obtained using the Event Road/Sidewalk Use/Closure Application 
  
  • Special Effects (F.X.): There is a fee for the review of any Special Effects (F.X.), stunts or pyrotechnic plans. There may be additional costs for on-site Paid Duty Police Officers, Fire Services and E.M.S. personnel while shooting the Special Effects.
  • Parking: If the Production Company vehicles cannot be contained at filming location, additional parking fees may be incurred. It is recommended that a full parking plan be established.
  • Facility Booking Permit: If the use of a City facility is required for a filming, i.e. parking lot, park, community centre, etc. then a Facility Booking Permit will be required for that use. The cost of the City facility will be determined by the Facility Booking Office at the time of application. The Facility Booking Office can be reached directly at (905) 436-3311.

1. The Filming Location Permit Request form shall be completed and returned not later than 10 working days prior to filming, exclusive of Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. The approved Filming Location Permit (“Permit”) must be retained by the Production Company for inspection at the Filming Location.
2. The Production Company shall continuously save and keep harmless and fully indemnify the City of Oshawa (“City”) from and against any and all actions, claims, costs, damages, demands , proceedings, liabilities, losses, suits, and expenses including legal fees (“Claims”) which may be brought against or made upon or incurred by the City resulting from or arising out of or in any way related to the operations of the Production Company and/or the planning and execution of the filming and/or the issuance or existence of this Permit.
3. The Production Company must have in place a Commercial General Liability insurance policy written on an occurrence basis with a liability limit of not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000), or an amount deemed to be satisfactory to the City at its sole discretion, per accident or occurrence and the policy must name the City of Oshawa as Additional Insured. If Special Effects (FX), such as pyrotechnics, are involved in the filming, then the Production Company must confirm that it has insurance coverage in place for Special Effects (FX) operations.
4. The Production Company must verify that valid insurance coverage as set out in this Permit is in place by submitting an Insurance Certificate(s) to the City which must be acceptable in all respects to the City.
5. In addition to this Permit, the Production Company may be required to obtain other permits when filming on roads and/or property. It is the responsibility of the Production Company to ensure that all the required permits are in place prior to filming.
6. Where Special Effects (FX) are required, the Production Company shall submit an FX Plan through Service Oshawa to Oshawa Fire Services for review. Fee as per the City of Oshawa General Fees and Charges By-Law 13-2003. If determined by the Oshawa Fire Services or requested by the Production Company that an on-site Fire Services vehicle is required, the rate will be MTO rates in effect at the time of service. This service consists of one fire suppression vehicle and four fire suppression staff.
7. Adequate signage, barricades and signals to guide pedestrians and/or motorists around the Filming Location shall be provided, erected and maintained by the Production Company and to the satisfaction of the City. The Production Company shall comply with any request by the City to move or remove any signage, barricades and signals, and upon completion of filming, the Production Company shall remove all signage, barricades and signals.
8. Vehicular and/or pedestrian access to all properties must be maintained.
9. Through traffic must be maintained at all times, unless otherwise approved by the City and/or Region of Durham (the “Region”). 
10. Traffic on a road may not be stopped in any direction for longer than a three-minute interval. If traffic must be stopped for a longer period, if a road is to be partially closed or if traffic is restricted in any way, it is the responsibility of the Production Company complete an Event Road/Sidewalk Use/Closure Application and/or the Region to inform them of the road affected and the dates and time of commencement and completion of filming and obtain the appropriate Road Occupancy Permit (“ROP”).
11. Pay duty police officers (PDO) must be at the Filming Location when traffic is stopped in any direction or for travelling shots.
12. No permanent or temporary fixtures or road signs may be covered, removed or altered in any way without the express written approval of the City and/or the Region.
13. The Production Company must comply at all times with local parking regulations, unless otherwise exempted by the City.
14. When refuse collection will be interrupted as a result of filming, the Production Company is responsible for making alternate arrangements which are satisfactory to the City and the affected property owners.
15. All vehicles associated with the Production Company filming which exceed maximum dimension or weight restrictions must have a valid moving permit approved by the City or Region.
16. The Production Company shall be responsible for all costs, including lost revenue, associated with the reservation or removal of parking meters.
17. The Production Company shall be responsible for the removal of litter and the restoration of the Filming Location.
18. The Production Company must notify in writing any area residents and businesses that may be affected during filming at or near the Filming Location and provide to the City a copy of this notification along with a map detailing area of notification.
19. The Production Company must adhere to all municipal by-laws and provincial and federal legislation while filming in the City.
20. Municipal Noise By-laws must be adhered to at all times. Any restricted activities will require written permission from the City.
21. Night filming, interior or exterior, is permitted until 11 p.m. only, unless written approval is obtained by the City and all affected parties.
22. Wild Animals and Exotic Animals as defined under City of Oshawa By-law 11-96, as amended, are not permitted to be kept within the City under most circumstances. Exotic Animals include, but are not limited to: horses, pigs, bats, all spiders, venomous insects, bears and weasels. Refer to Schedule “A” of the By-law for a complete listing. Upon conviction fines for offences under the By-law may be imposed of up to $5,000 per occurrence.

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