Special Use Permits
A Special Use Permit is required for activities that:
- Provide a benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large:
- Requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the NPS in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
- Is not prohibited by law and regulation;
- Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the Service; and
- Is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.
The following activities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore may require a Special Use Permit:
Weddings and Vow Renewals: At Least 45 Days prior to requested wedding/ceremony date
All weddings and vow renewals at Cape Hatteras National Seashore require a Special Use Permit. Please visit our wedding permits page for more information.
Sporting Events, Special Events: At Least 45 Days prior to requested event date
Surfing and kite boarding tournaments, races, fishing tournaments. Military ceremonies require a permit but the application fee is waived.
Permit Application Steps:
- Complete the Sporting Events/Special Events application.
- Pay a non-refundable $200 application fee using Pay.gov. You can pay using debit, or charge card. Do not send cash or checks.
- E mail signed application and receipt of required payment to caha_special_use_permits@nps.gov
The non-refundable $200 application fee covers the cost of administering the permit request and is non-refundable. Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, may apply.
You will receive a response regarding your application within two weeks of receipt.
Commercial Film and Still Photography
All commercial filming activities taking place within a unit of the National Park System require a permit. "Commercial filming" means the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income.
Filming permits may not be required for news gathering activities.
Filming permits are required for any public or commercial photographer, regardless of whether the filming is for charitable, educational or philanthropic purposes, if one or more of the following apply:
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Filming will include use of models and/or props;
- You are requesting access to areas normally closed to the public;
- You are filming "B" Roll footage for a commercial film;
- Other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income:
- You are requesting support from the National Park Service, such as an interview with a ranger; and/or
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The National Park Service determines that monitoring and oversight of the filming is required in order to protect park resources and/or provide for visitor use and safety during the filming.
Non-commercial filming may require a permit if a permit is necessary to manage the activity to protect park resources and values while minimizing conflict between user groups or to ensure public safety. Examples of non-commercial filming include, but are not limited to, filming for tourism bureaus, convention and visitor bureaus, and student filming. In most cases, a permit is not necessary for visitors engaging in casual, non-commercial filming.
Permits issued for non-commercial filming may be subject to cost recovery charges, and you may be required to obtain insurance naming the United States as additionally insured.
Still photographers require a permit only when:
- The activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or
- 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
- The park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.
Permit Application Steps: At Least 45 Days prior to requested filming dates.
- Complete the Commercial Filming/Still Photography application.
- E mail signed application to caha_special_use_permits@nps.gov
- If your proposed filming meets the criteria above we will send you an E-Bill to your e mail address to pay the required $250 application fee along with the appropriate location fee
The $250 application fee covers the cost of administering the permit request and is non-refundable. Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, will apply.
The following location fees will also apply:
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COMMERCIAL FILMING/VIDEOS
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STILL PHOTOGRAPHY
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1-10 People
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$150/Day
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1-10 People
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$50/Day
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11-30 People
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$250/Day
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11-30 People
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$150/Day
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31-49 People
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$500/Day
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Over 30 People
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$250/Day
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Over 50 People
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$750/Day
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You will receive a response regarding your application within two weeks of receipt.
First Amendment Examples of First Amendment activities:
- Religious services
- Political speeches
- Press conferences
- Voter registration
- Public demonstration, picketing, assembly or rally expressing opinions and views
A permit is required for First Amendment activities that meet any of the following criteria:
- Groups larger than 25 participants
- Utilizes significant equipment including generators, platforms, tents, etc.
- Would like a guarantee of priority use of a specific location
- Is requesting an area not otherwise open to the public
- Complete the Permit Application if you answer YES to any of the above criteria.
A group of 25 people or fewer is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if you do not meet the criteria above, but you may choose to obtain a permit to prevent another group from reserving your requested area.
The National Park Service has designated six First Amendment Assembly Areas within Cape Hatteras National Seashore: in front of the visitor center at Bodie Island Lighthouse; near the entrance to off-road vehicle (ORV) ramp 2 at Coquina Beach; near the parking lot at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Buxton Beach Access; at the entrance to Cape Point Campground; near the visitor center in Ocracoke; and near the entrance to Ocracoke Campground. Maps of these areas can be found in the Superintendent’s Compendium, https://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm. Alternative locations may be requested and will be accommodated as feasible.
If your activity meets the criteria above or you wish to obtain a permit for your First Amendment activity, complete the First Amendment application and e-mail it to caha_special_use_permits@nps.gov. We request that applications are submitted no later than 15 days prior to the activity to allow time for processing. No application fee is required for First Amendment activities.
Questions and Additional Information
For questions or information about Special Use Permits and types of uses, or if you have any questions about the process or your permit, please contact our Special Park Uses Coordinator at 252-475-9034 or e-mail us
For specific questions about Cape Hatteras ORV Permits please contact the ORV Office at 252-475-9054. Please leave a message if no one answers.
