A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:
A CUA is required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:
Businesses and individuals may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the CUA. You must be in possession of a valid CUA to conduct business in Joshua Tree National Park. Approved ActivitiesCUA's are only available for the following,
How to ApplyTo apply for a Commercial Use Authorization permit, fill out a CUA permit application and submit it to JOTR_Special_Use@nps.gov. With the application, submit the following documentation (if it pertains to your operation): proof of rock climbing certification, current liability insurance & automobile insurance, current first aid and CPR certificate, Leave No Trace training certificate, Wilderness First Responder or equivalent training certificate. Please read all documentation prior to submitting your application. Incomplete packages will not be accepted. Applications are accepted October - February. Allow up to 60 days for your application to be processed.
CUA FeesAnnual Application Fee: $465 Market Price Management Fee: In addition to the application fee, parks are required to collect a reasonable fee to recover the costs associated with administering and managing the CUA program. CUA holders are subject to a market price fee calculated by gross receipts earned from park-based operations. Application fees are credited to the CUA holder upon payment of market price fee. Fees are based on the following: Market Price Fee (% of gross receipts earned from park-based operations)
Example: Suppose a CUA holder earns $750,000 in gross revenue from doing business at Joshua Tree National Park. Under the MPM fee structure, the National Park will charge the CUA holder 3 percent of their gross receipts, 4 percent for the next $250,000, and 5 percent for the remaining $250,000. This hypothetical CUA holder would then have a total fee of $30,000. The application fee will then be subtracted from $30,000. After subtracting the application fee from $30,000, the difference must be remitted to the National Park before a new CUA can be issued. The combined charges for the application fee and the market-rate management fee may not exceed the limits noted in the table above. If the calculated market-rate fee is less than the application, then the National Park Service will retain the application fee.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are the general criteria for the issuance of a CUA?The authorization is issued to an operator to permit the provision of suitable commercial services to park area visitors. The superintendent determines if an operator has the ability to satisfactorily provide visitor services and carry out the terms of the CUA. The superintendent determines that the commercial services are “suitable”; that is they (a) will have minimal impact on park area’s resources and values; (b) are consistent with the purposes for which the park area was established; and, (c) are consistent with all applicable park area management plans, policies, and regulations. The holder must agree to comply with all of the general and specific conditions described in the CUA conditions and operating plans. You should familiarize yourself with these documents before applying for a CUA. For what length of time is an activity- or service-based CUA issued?All activity- and service-based CUAs are issued for up to one year. The CUA operating year is from January 1 to December 31. When is the application period?Applications will be accepted from October through February. Please submit complete application packets 60 days before your first trip in the park. Why does the park charge a fee for a CUA?National Park Service Policy requires the Superintendent to charge a reasonable fee for CUAs. The park retains such fees to help pay for the cost of the CUA program, including administration, evaluations, monitoring, and training. When are Annual Financial Reports and fees due?Annual Financial Reports and Management Fee Calculation Forms, which cover the operating year and require reporting of gross receipts and visitors served for each month of that year, are due by January 31st following the end of the operating year. A separate Financial Report and Management Fee Calculation forms are required for each activity a CUA holder has a CUA for. Annual Financial Report and Management Fee Calculation forms will be available by October 1st of each operating year. The Concessions Management Office will review all Annual Report and Management Fee Calculation Fee Forms for accuracy and inform the CUA holder when payment of management fees can be made. How are CUA fees processed?Commercial Use Authorization applicants and holders must make all payments for application fees and management fees through Pay.gov. Permit OfficeThe permit office is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (PST). We are closed on federal holidays. Contact usPhone: (760) 367-5518 Address: |
Last updated: December 31, 2023