The park is a special place where glittering waters meet emerald shorelines. Its rich history is revealed in legends, shipwrecks, and the stories of people who helped to shape this unique area. We are home to four distinct yet interconnected ecosystems. These resources, combined with the closeness of Miami, make the park an ideal location for a variety of special activity requests. Each event, activity, research project and commercial operation in the park requires a permit. Permits are issued and approved after National Park Service employees follow required steps for environmental compliance. This includes reviews to determine that activities will not impair park values, resources or visitor enjoyment. Permits are required for: SPECIAL PARK USES IMPORTANT NOTICE: A minimum of 15 business days is required to review special park use permit requests. This review period begins the day the completed permit application and the $100 non-refundable permit fee are received. Applications will not be considered until payment of the $100 non-refundable application fee is received. Large or complex projects may take additional time. In addition to the application fee, other fees may be charged. National Park Service staff may be assigned as on-site monitors for the project. The permittee will be billed for all costs incurred. Special park use permit application
Complete a special park use permit application and send it to the permit coordinator's attention at 9700 SW 328 Street, Homestead, FL 33033. The application must contain a statement of the goal of the organization and the proposed activity. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Permits for First Amendment activities may take up to ten days to approve or deny. Customary permit fees requirements are not applied to First Amendment activities.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: A minimum of 15 business days is required to review Stiltsville permit requests. This review period begins the day the completed permit application and $100 non-refundable permit fee are received. Applications will not be considered until payment of the $100 non-refundable application fee is received. Large or complex projects may take additional time. In addition to the application fee, other fees may be charged. National Park Service staff may be assigned as on-site monitors for the project. The permittee will be billed for all costs incurred.
COMMERCIAL FILMING and PHOTOGRAPHY Private individuals engaged in still photography for their own personal use and enjoyment generally do not need a film permit. Commercial still photography may be exempt, unless it involves product or service advertisement; the use of models, sets or props, or when there is a potential for resource damage or disruption of visitor activities, or when the activity requests access to an area not normally open to the general public. IMPORTANT NOTICES: A minimum of 15 business days is required to review commercial filming/still photography permit requests. This review period begins the day the completed permit application and $100 non-refundable permit fee are received. Applications will not be considered until payment of the $100 non-refundable application fee is received. Large or complex projects may take additional time. Most projects require a certificate of insurance issued by a United States company showing general liability coverage and naming the United States Government, National Park Service as an additional insured. The usual minimum amount of insurance is $1,000,000 but the required amount may be increased for certain high-risk situations. In addition to the application fee, other fees may be charged. National Park Service staff may be assigned as on-site monitors for the project. The permittee will be billed for all costs incurred. Commercial filming and photography activities are subject to location fees. Commercial filming/still photography permit application COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS The Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) program authorizes the provision of non-exclusive, suitable commercial services to park area visitors, as long as certain conditions are met: the services must be appropriate to the mission of the park, compliment resource protection, visitor protection and interpretation goals, and not pose any potential for derogation of values or purposes for which the park was established. They must be consistent with the park's future plans as well as present operations. They should be compatible with the planning documents for the park, and consistent with all applicable park area management plans, policies and regulations. The superintendent may grant CUAs to businesses when there are no fixed commercial facilities within a national park area; the commercial activity originates and terminates outside the park; no money changes hands on park lands; and no commercial solicitation occurs on park lands. At this time, CUA permits are available for the following activities: sightseeing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, salvage/tow and vessel transportation, and charter and guide fishing. A business wishing to conduct any of these activities in the park must procure a CUA in advance and follow the terms and conditions of the authorization. Requirements including, but not limited to, liability insurance, licensing, equipment and first aid must be met in order to be considered for a CUA. Should you have additional questions, you may contact the Concessions Management Specialist who oversees the CUA program through this email link or by calling 305-242-7744.
RESEARCH and COLLECTING Permits are required by those seeking to conduct scientific and social studies in the park. Although studies conducted by outside investigators are not required to focus on specific NPS issues, all studies must be consistent with NPS statutes, policies, and environmental laws that govern research on NPS lands. Research permit applications and proposals go through a review process in order to ensure that all proposed research studies for the park comply with NPS statutes and policies, that park resources and values are not impaired, and that park visitors are not unduly impacted by proposed activities. Researchers working under park permits are expected to follow the SFNRC research data reporting requirements and be cognizant of their obligation to submit their final deliverables. How to apply: the National Park Service developed the Research Permit and Reporting System website to facilitate application for scientific research permits. Investigators interested in conducting research in the park are required to submit both an application and a research proposal via this system. Proposals may be uploaded during the online application. Investigators are encouraged to review the NPS guidelines for research proposals prior to submitting an application and research proposal. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Permit applications will not be reviewed unless a study proposal is submitted. Review and processing of research applications and proposals can take 90 days or more. |
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Last updated: October 2, 2019