Filming in Toronto
As of October 7, 2026: Toronto's Film, Television & Digital Media Office (the Film Office) coordinates and issues permits for location filming, which Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 459 requires. The City issues film permits for commercial filming only, and requests are made through its FilmPal portal. The office needs a minimum of two full business days, not including the day of submission, to issue a permit, and three if the request includes filming in a City park.
Source: City of Toronto: Guidelines for Filming in Toronto. Also: City of Toronto: Film Permitting. Last verified October 7, 2026 by Terrell Groggins, photojournalist. This is not legal advice.
Film office and permits
Start with Toronto Film, Television & Digital Media Office.
Film commissions for Canada: Ontario Film Commission, BC Film Commission (Creative BC).
Personal: Filming that is not commercial under the City's definition does not receive a film permit. The City names live-to-air newscasts and event broadcasting, real estate advertisements, construction and technical surveys, filming special events, demonstrations or marches, film premieres, advertising pop-ups without continuous filming and internal corporate training videos, and says they may need permits or approvals from other city divisions before taking place on city property.
Commercial: Before a permit is issued, the production must give the Film Office a certificate of comprehensive general liability insurance of $2,000,000 per occurrence, or a higher limit if the City reasonably requires one for the kind of filming. If an application is approved, the office emails instructions and a link to pay the film permitting fees.
Sources: City of Toronto: Guidelines for Filming in Toronto · City of Toronto: Film Permitting
Permits and incentives in Canada · Drone rules in Canada
Sun and light, 2026
Local time on the 15th of each month, daylight saving included. Blue hour runs from dawn to sunrise and from sunset to dusk; golden hour runs from sunrise to the morning time shown, and from the evening time shown to sunset. Computed from the city's coordinates.
| Month | Dawn | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Dusk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7:16 AM | 7:47 AM | 8:32 AM | 4:21 PM | 5:06 PM | 5:38 PM |
| Feb | 6:46 AM | 7:15 AM | 7:56 AM | 5:07 PM | 5:47 PM | 6:17 PM |
| Mar | 7:01 AM | 7:29 AM | 8:07 AM | 6:45 PM | 7:23 PM | 7:52 PM |
| Apr | 6:04 AM | 6:34 AM | 7:13 AM | 7:22 PM | 8:01 PM | 8:31 PM |
| May | 5:19 AM | 5:52 AM | 6:33 AM | 7:54 PM | 8:36 PM | 9:09 PM |
| Jun | 4:59 AM | 5:35 AM | 6:19 AM | 8:17 PM | 9:00 PM | 9:36 PM |
| Jul | 5:15 AM | 5:49 AM | 6:32 AM | 8:14 PM | 8:56 PM | 9:31 PM |
| Aug | 5:51 AM | 6:22 AM | 7:01 AM | 7:41 PM | 8:20 PM | 8:51 PM |
| Sep | 6:28 AM | 6:56 AM | 7:34 AM | 6:49 PM | 7:27 PM | 7:56 PM |
| Oct | 7:02 AM | 7:31 AM | 8:10 AM | 5:54 PM | 6:33 PM | 7:02 PM |
| Nov | 6:40 AM | 7:11 AM | 7:54 AM | 4:08 PM | 4:52 PM | 5:23 PM |
| Dec | 7:11 AM | 7:44 AM | 8:31 AM | 3:54 PM | 4:41 PM | 5:14 PM |
Private locations
Homes, warehouses and venues whose owners rent them for shoots are booked through marketplaces such as Peerspace and Giggster.
Last verified October 6, 2026 by Terrell Groggins. Rules change: check the official source before you shoot or post. This is not legal advice.