Permits and licences
Banff National Park
Drones or unmanned air vehicles (UAV)
In Canada’s national parks, the use of an unmanned air vehicles (UAV) – also known as a drone – is prohibited.
Special event application
Information you need before hosting an event in the park and how to apply for a Special Event Licence.
Wedding ceremonies
The world-class scenery of Banff National Park makes it an attractive place to hold wedding ceremonies.
Business Licences
A business licence is required for all businesses, companies, guides and/or vendors who are operating in Banff National Park. Each contractor and sub-contractor requires their own business licence to work in the park.
Parks Canada and the Town of Banff are the two governing bodies in Banff National Park that issue business licences.
Parks Canada issues the following licences and permits:
- Business licences for work in Banff National Park outside the townsite
- Guided business licence
- Special event applications
- Film and photography (see below)
If you are proposing a new business in Banff or changing the location of an existing business you must email banffrealty-immobiliers@pc.gc.ca with a narrative describing the proposal. For all non-resident business owners wanting to conduct business in the town of Banff please contact the Town of Banff.
Please note: if you are operating a business in both jurisdictions, you must obtain a business licence from Parks Canada as well as one from the Town of Banff.
Guided business licences
Applications for guided/outfitter business licences are reviewed twice annually. The deadlines for the submission of applications are March 1 and September 1 of each year.
General information
Anyone wishing to operate a guided / outfitter activity in a national park in Canada is required to apply to Parks Canada for a business licence. “Business” is defined as any trade, industry, employment, occupation, activity or special event carried on in a park or on Parks Canada-administered lands or waters outside of a park, for profit, gain, fund raising or commercial promotion, and includes an undertaking carried on in a park by a charitable organization, or by an organization or individual on a non-profit basis.
Anyone wishing to operate a guided / outfitter activity in a national park in Canada is required to apply to Parks Canada for a business licence. “Business” is defined as any trade, industry, employment, occupation, activity or special event carried on in a park or on Parks Canada-administered lands or waters outside of a park, for profit, gain, fund raising or commercial promotion, and includes an undertaking carried on in a park by a charitable organization, or by an organization or individual on a non-profit basis.
Guided business licences are generally issued for the following activities:
- hiking tours
- road biking tours
- backpacking tours
- interpretive walks
- guided mountaineering
- guided ski touring
- guided cross-country ski touring
- guided horseback tours
- rafting tours
- angling guides
- scuba diving
- stand-up paddleboard
- outfitting
- all wilderness related tours and guided programs
Please note that you may also be required to apply for a Basic Business Licence, depending on the nature of your business.
Application process
Anyone wishing to operate a guidedFootnote 1 / outfitterFootnote 2 activity in a national park in Canada is required to apply to Parks Canada for a business licence. “Business” is defined as any trade, industry, employment, occupation, activity or special event carried on in a park or on Parks Canada-administered lands or waters outside of a park, for profit, gain, fund raising or commercial promotion, and includes an undertaking carried on in a park by a charitable organization, or by an organization or individual on a non-profit basis.
The following procedure is for new guided/outfitter activity activity businesses wanting to operate in a national park. It is not applicable if you are seeking a replacement licence. A separate application form is available for this purpose. Please contact your local Parks Canada office for further information on this process. All employees that will be conducting Guided Trips will be required to obtain a Guide Identification Card (see “Guide Identification Application Form Part IV”) and carry this card at all times while guiding. The form and procedure are appended to this document.
A separate application is available if you are seeking licensing as a new business in any other area other than guided/outfitter activities. We ask that you contact your local Parks Canada office to obtain the application form.
1. Application: How to apply for a licence to conduct a guided or outfitter activity in a national park
- Complete the Guided/Outfitter Activity Business Licence application form in full. Detailed information is necessary for Parks Canada to conduct an accurate evaluation of your application. If sufficient details are not provided, we will be unable to complete a review of your application.
- Submit the completed application form, including all requirements in the documentation checklist.
Completed applications can be sent to:
Guided Business Liaison, Mountain Parks
Realty and Municipal Services
Jasper National Park of Canada
PO Box 10
Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0
guidelicences-permispourguide@pc.gc.ca
2. Review: Parks Canada review process of a Guided/Outfitter Activity Business Licence application
- Receipt of Application: On receipt of your application, Parks Canada will review your submission for completion. Incomplete applications may be returned to you to provide further information or documentation.
- Summer applications must be submitted prior to September 1. (For the purpose of this application process, summer is defined as April 1 to October 31.)
- Winter applications must be submitted prior to March 1. (For the purpose of this application process, winter is defined as November 1 to March 31.)
- Review/Evaluation: All applications will be evaluated and a recommendation for approval or denial will be forwarded to the Field Unit Superintendent, who makes the final decision based on this recommendation. Applicants will be contacted in the time frames indicated below. This review period recognizes the need for timely review in order to allow businesses to operate in the season following their application.
- Park personnel will review summer applications and will contact proponents by December 1.
- Park personnel will review winter applications and will contact applicants by June 1.
3. Decision: Field Unit Superintendent’s decision
- If the guided/outfitter activity business licence is approved: your business licence will be issued and become valid for the summer or winter season following approval. Any/all conditions imposed on the licence will be clearly defined and appended. The term of the licence cannot exceed one year and will expire on March 31 following the date of issuance.
If, at any time during the term of your licence, the parameters under which you are operating your business change, such as sale or transfer of the business, change in name or location, change to the nature of the business, or additions to the business, you must inform Parks Canada immediately.
- If the guided/outfitter activity business licence is denied: you will be advised, in writing, of the reason(s) for the decision in as timely a manner as possible.
You will be notified of the decision in the manner that you have indicated in Part II of the “Guided/Outfitter Activity Business Licence Application”.
4. Payment: If the application is approved, applicable fees for a Guided/Outfitter Activity Business Licence
While payment is not required until a determination is made on your application, payment for each activity will be payable prior to issuance of a guided/outfitter activity business licence.
Footnotes
- Footnote 1
-
Guide: An individual who provides guiding services in natural/cultural areas of interest or provide local knowledge, technical skill and leadership to allow clients to participate in various day or overnight activities. A guide does not typically outfit their clients with equipment and/or supplies. A guide may be the business licence holder or be the employee of a business licence holder.
Footnotes
- Footnote 2
-
Outfitter: A company that holds the business licence and will hire qualified guides to conduct trips on their behalf, under their company name. The owner/operator of the outfitting company may also work as a qualified guide. The company may outfit clients with equipment and/or supplies.
Application form
Mountain National Parks - Guided Application Form (October 2024) (PDF, 1 MB)
Fillable pdf application form for new guided/outfitter activity businesses wanting to operate in a national park.
Additional resources
- Activity Table Template (PDF, 166 KB)
- Fillable pdf of a blank activity table (appendix B).
- Emergency Response Plan Guide (PDF, 367 KB)
- Required information for Emergency Response Plan submission.
- Blank Emergency Response Plan Template (Microsoft Word, 574 KB)
- Trails not requiring a Guided Business Licence (April 2024) (PDF, 103 KB)
- A list of areas and trails in the Mountain National Parks where it is not required to have a Guided Business Licence. Notwithstanding, it is still required to have a Basic Business Licence to operate in the Mountain National Parks.
- Areas, Trails and Activities with Restrictions (Document currently under review)
- Custodial groups
- A “custodial group” means a group affiliated with an institution, where at least one person is below the age of majority and that minor is not in the company of his/her parent or legal guardian. Institutional groups include (but are not limited to) school groups, Scout/Guide groups, church groups, cadet groups and community youth groups.
For more information, please visit the custodial groups webpage.
For more information on how to apply for a guided business licence in the Mountain National Parks:
Chelan Egilson, Guided Business Liaison for the Mountain Parks
Realty and Municipal Services
Jasper National Park of Canada
PO Box 10 / 607 Connaught Drive
Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0
guidelicences-permispourguide@pc.gc.ca
780-820-0665
Work passes
Work passes for park entry are provided by the Parks Canada administration office at the time a business licence is issued. Work passes shall be used for work purposes only. Special Activity Permits for overweight vehicles are issued by the Banff Dispatch office. Please send your request by e-mail to banff.dispatch@pc.gc.ca after your business licence has been issued.
Film and photography
The Mountain National Parks boast unparalleled film, photographic and recreational possibilities. To care for these special places, all filming activities have guidelines to ensure that activities respect ecologically sensitive areas, wildlife, and the experience of all visitors.
If you wish to visit Parks Canada places and undertake a film or photo shoot, you may require a film permit, business licence, or need to register your project. What you are required to do will depend on the scale and nature of your project.
Applications should be submitted a minimum of 20 business days prior to your intended dates of filming. Choose your project category below for more information.
Small-Scale Travel Media Film & Photo Projects
Do I need a film permit, business licence, or small-scale project registration?
Many small-scale projects only require project registration, rather than a commercial film permit. This registration form is for small travel media crews that wish to film or take photos in Parks Canada locations. “Travel Media” includes journalists, freelancers, photographers, videographers, bloggers and social media influencers.
Your project is considered “small-scale” if it meets all of the following criteria:
- The project is intended to inform audiences about the work of Parks Canada and/or educate on proper behaviour when visiting Parks Canada places.
- Crew size is six people or fewer (including models, guides and other talent).
- Equipment is limited to cameras, tripods, microphones, or other hand-held equipment.
- Activities remain in areas open to the public and during normal operating hours only.
- The filming methods used and final product adheres to all laws and regulations.
- No drones/UAV are used.
If you meet all of these criteria, complete the Small-Scale Travel Media Film and Photo Project Registration form (1.03 Mb) and return the form by email to the appropriate contact below. You will receive response that confirms or denies your registration and provides next steps.
If your project does not meet the criteria of a small-scale shoot, you must apply for a film/photo permit or business licence by emailing your application to the appropriate contact listed. Parks Canada reserves the right to determine if projects are appropriate for a small-scale registration or if a commercial film permit application is required.
Tips for registering your small-scale travel media film and photo project.
- We strongly recommend you register your shoot at least 15 business days in advance to avoid project delays. Please note that registering your project does not exempt it from standard visitors’ fees.
- A Guide to Film/Photo Shoots in Banff National Park is available to assist you with conducting your film and photo activities.
- Depending on the location of your shoot, additional permission may be required from business or property owners, or the Town of Banff.
We look forward to working with you! Travel media are key partners in showcasing the beauty of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Contact us for travel tips, best timing, and unique locations within these sites.
Commercial Film & Photography Permits
Banff National Park will not be accepting applications for large-scale commercial film projects during the period of June 1 to September 30.
Commercial filming & photography activities require a permit. These activities include feature and short films, documentaries, television series, marketing (including styled photoshoots), and other projects with a commercial intent that do not qualify as a travel media small-scale registration. Parks Canada reserves the right to determine if projects are appropriate for a small-scale registration or if a commercial film permit application is required.
What works well?
- Productions involving minimal equipment, smaller crew sizes and no impact on the environment and visitors;
- Productions contributing to public awareness, appreciation and understanding of Canada’s national parks and Parks Canada;
- Productions requesting off-season and/or weekday shooting dates.
Applying
Submit an application by email, a minimum of 20 business days prior to intended film/photography start date. Applications are assessed in relation to Canada's National Parks Act, national park regulations and based on their contribution to awareness, appreciation and education about national parks, as well as safety considerations. If approved, a Commercial Film/Photography permit is issued.
Parks Canada reserves the right to refuse applications that are not in the best interest of the Agency’s mandate or to revoke permission at any time if the terms and conditions of the permit are violated.
Film permit application form (0.35 Mb)
Please complete the form with the most detail possible to help us assess your application, including specific locations, dates, and times for filming, and detailed descriptions of the project and intent. Incomplete applications may result in processing delays.
Park regulations
Full compliance with the Canada National Parks Act and Park Regulations is required. These include, but are not limited to:
- No open firearms, use of firearms (includes discharging of blank ammunition or explosives), or hunting;
- No damaging, destruction or removal of natural or cultural resources;
- No feeding, enticing (e.g. baiting, calling), touching, harassing, or disturbing park wildlife;
- No littering or leaving food or garbage where wildlife can access it (all food and garbage must be stored or disposed of in bear-proof containers and/or packed out);
- No off-roading anywhere in the park; no ATVs, skidoos, or jet-boats; no boats with any kind of motor in park waters (except on Lake Minnewanka);
- No fires outside of designated fire rings or stoves supplied at park campgrounds and day use areas (cigar/cigarette butts and matches are litter and must be fully extinguished and disposed of appropriately);
- No camping outside of designated campgrounds and campsites;
- No entering of closed areas
- An ACMG accredited guide is required to accompany any film crews capturing footage of backcountry, glacier travel, mountaineering and/or ski touring activities (outside of ski area leaseholds) at all times.
- All aerial filming must comply with Canadian Air Regulations; the use of recreational UAV/Drones is not allowed and requires a Restricted Activity Permit in all other circumstances – see UAV section for details.
Fees associated with Film Permits
| Production Crew Size | 2024 Application Fee (per project) | 2024 Location Fee (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | $160.00 | $532.25 |
| 7-15 | $399.25 | $1064.74 |
| 16-30 | $798.50 | $1596.75 |
| 31-99 | $2,661.25 | $2,129.25 |
| 100+ | $3,193.75 | $2,661.25 |
- Projects in the Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay National Park Field Unit will be charged the non-refundable application fee upon receiving an application for a film licence.
- Depending on the scope, location and crew size associated with the project, monitoring fees (including overtime) may be charged to the production company in addition to the fees listed above.
Professional Photography & Videography (including Weddings)
Photographers or videographers capturing images and footage during their visit to Banff National Park, with the intent to sell, require a business licence. Filming and photography covered within this licence must not impede park use and enjoyment by other visitors, damage cultural or natural resources, or disturb wildlife.
Business licences apply to the following activities:- Wedding photography and videography
- Wildlife, nature, and landscape photography
- Stock photo or video capture
- If you are hired to take, or plan to sell photos taken in the park
Visitors taking photos for personal use or as a hobby that are not for sale do not require a permit or licence. Parks Canada rules and regulations apply to all film/photography activities, including respecting wildlife, closed areas, and cultural resources.
Please note that Parks Canada business licence service standards are 15 business days to review and process fully completed business licence applications. Please contact the appropriate Business Licensing department for additional information:
Banff - banffrealty-immobiliers@pc.gc.ca
Lake Louise - permiscommercialllyk-llykbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
UAVs (including micro-drones <250g), are highly regulated in the National Parks to protect wildlife and preserve the experience of visitors, among other considerations. Regardless of drone size, UAV use in a National Park requires both a Commercial Film Permit, and a Restricted Activity Permit.
The use of UAV’s for commercial filming purposes will only be authorized for the purposes of:
- Natural and cultural resource management
- Public safety
- Law enforcement
- Park/site management purposes, including selective filming for outreach, education and promotional purposes
Projects must fit on of the above purposes to be considered for approval at the discretion of the Field Unit Superintendent. Anyone caught operating a drone within park boundaries without an approved permit may result in law enforcement action and a fine of up to $25,000. Recreational use of drones at all Parks Canada places is prohibited.
Film / photography permit contacts – Mountain Parks
Select map to preview
Banff
filmbanff-banfffilm@pc.gc.ca
Planning to film in the Town of Banff? Additional film permits may be required.
Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay
llykfilm@pc.gc.ca
Jasper
filmjasper-jasperfilm@pc.gc.ca
Planning to film in the Municipality of Jasper? Additional film permits may be required.
Waterton Lakes
waterton.communications@pc.gc.ca
Mount Revelstoke and Glacier
filmmrg@pc.gc.ca
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