Special Use Permits

Special Use Permits are issued under closely controlled circumstances for activities such as weddings and commercial filming.

You can get information about special use permits by calling [phone], extension 73 or 74, or email us. Once you have spoken with one of the special use permit coordinators and it has been determined that your desired event is feasible, you can obtain a special use application. This will begin the process leading to the issuance of a Special Use Permit. The basic rules and fees for such activities are listed in two catagories under the headings "Special Use Permits" and "Commercial Filming" below:

 

SPECIAL USE PERMITS - Weddings, baptisms, organized picnics, etc.
Tumacácori National Historical Park was set aside by Executive Order and by Congress in order to conserve and protect an area of historical importance and uniqueness for future generations. Weddings and baptisms have been a part of life at Tumacácori since it first became a mission in 1691. Picnics and similar gatherings have taken place here from the time the mission was abandoned in 1848, even before the area was designated as a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. Tumacácori National Historical Park, as a unit of the United States National Park Service permits such special use activities when they are consistent with the park’s mission and will not harm the resource or interfere with the visitor experience. No special use will be allowed that will have an adverse impact on the park resources or negatively affect visitor use and enjoyment by interrupting or conflicting with regularly scheduled park activities.

When is a permit needed?
Except for organized picnics or other events that do not propose to use the visitor center, mission church and immediate grounds, all events must occur outside of the park’s operating hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM). All such activities, whether within or outside of park hours require a permit.

How do I apply for a permit?
Permit applications are available only after the interested party or parties has spoken with one of the park’s special use permit coordinators either in person or by telephone. Once the special use coordinator has determined that your event is probably feasible, you will need to submit a completed application along with the $130.00 nonrefundable application fee to the park at least two weeks in advance of the date(s) desired. In addition, you may be required to meet with park staff in advance of the event to insure that your event will be successful and that all special requirements will be met. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the application in a timely manner once it is submitted.

What fees will I have to pay?
The National Park Service has been directed by Congress to recover all costs incurred by the Park in processing and monitoring any special uses of its lands, facilities, and/or staff. Tumacácori uses the following cost recovery schedule:

Type of Permit	Application Fee	Administrative Fee	Total Initial Fees	Monitoring Fee ADDITIONAL
Special Events	$100	$30	$130 *	$50 per hour (or increment thereof) per monitor
Weddings	$100	$30	$130 *	$50 per hour (or increment thereof) per monitor
Filming and Photography	$100	$30	$130 * **	$50 per hour (or increment thereof) per monitor
	** Filming and photography permits require an additional Location Fee based on the number of people involved in the activity: see page 5.

Are there any other costs or permit requirements?
A National Park Service employee must be present to monitor the event, including set-up and clean-up. The permittee may be required to provide certain facilities or services directly as a condition of the permit, i.e. portable sanitation facilities, utility costs, security or emergency medical services, county licenses, and/or salary and travel costs for additional National Park Service personnel. Depending on the size and nature of the event, you may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.

 

COMMERCIAL FILMING AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY PERMITS
Tumacácori National Historical Park was set aside by Executive Order and by Congress in order to conserve and protect an area of historical importance and uniqueness for future generations. The tradition of capturing the image of the missions began with early individuals who traveled with paint and canvas or primitive photo apparatus before the area was designated as a national monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. Tumacácori National Historical Park, as a unit of the United States National Park Service permits commercial filming and still photography when it is consistent with the park’s mission and will not harm the resource or interfere with the visitor experience.

When is a permit needed?
All commercial filming activities taking place within Tumacácori National Historical Park require a permit. Commercial filming includes capturing a moving image on film and video as well as sound recordings.

Still photographers require a permit when:

1. the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or

2. the activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location’s natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or

3. the park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

How do I apply for a permit?
Permit applications are available only after the interested party or parties has spoken with one of the park’s special use permit coordinators either in person or by telephone. You will need to submit a completed application along with the application fee to the park as far in advance of your planned date as possible. In addition, you should request a meeting with park staff if your proposed activity is unusual or complex. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the application in a timely manner once it is submitted.

What fees will I have to pay?
The National Park Service is authorized to collect two fees; cost recovery and a location fee. Cost recovery includes a $130.00 nonrefundable application fee which must be submitted with your application as well as a charge to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring your permit. This amount will vary depending on the complexity of your permit request, but will at minimum include a $50 per hour monitoring cost for each hour (or increment thereof) that the filming is in the park. In addition, the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a location fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. The National Park Service uses the following fee schedule:

Commercial Filming/Videos		Still Photography
1 - 2 people, camera & tripod only	$0/day
1 - 10 people	$150/day	1 - 10 people	$50/day
11 - 30 people	$250/day	11 - 30 people	$150/day
31 - 49 people	$500/day	Over 30 people	$250/day
Over 50 people	$750/day

Are there other permit requirements?
You will be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.