Right of Way Permits

Right of way permits are required for commercial purposes for which people must pass over, under, or through park property. Examples of activities that require a right of way permit include use of the parkway by commercial vehicles, construction over or adjacent to park property, and work on utilities that pass through park property.

All operators of commercial vehicles must have a permit to use the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Clara Barton Parkway, Spout Run Parkway, Crest Lane, East Boulevard, or West Boulevard. Commercial vehicles are defined in 36 C.F.R. 5.6 as vehicles "used in transporting movable property for a fee or profit, either as a direct charge to another person, or otherwise, or used as an incident to providing services to another person, or used in connection with any business."

If you can reach your destination by another route, your permit will be denied.

Please be aware that there are bridges with low clearances along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Check bridge heights along your route to avoid costly damage.

Right of way permits can only be issued for activities specifically authorized by Congress and only if there is no practicable alternative to the use of NPS lands. If a legal authority for a requested use is not found, the park must deny the use.

There is a $250 nonrefundable application fee for right of way permits. Applications for new right of way permits can take from six months to one year to process, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Permit Application

Permit Application Checklist

Contact Pete McCallum at 703-289-2516 if you have any questions.