Laws & Policies

 

Superintendent's Compendium

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Superintendent’s Compendium (12/22/2025)
Of Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and Other Restrictions Imposed Under Discretionary Authority.

Approved:
K. Lynn Berry, Superintendent (12/23/2025) - Signature on File)

Eugene O’Neill
National Historic Site
1000 Kuss Road
Danville, Ca 94526
925 943-1531 phone
925 838-9471 fax


In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (“36 CFR”), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 54 U.S.C. §100751, the following provisions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service, within the boundaries of John Muir National Historic Site. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7.

Written determinations, which explain the reasoning behind the Superintendent’s use of discretionary authority, as required by Section 1.5(c), appear in this document identified by italicized print.

36 CFR §1.5 – VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES

(a)(1) The following visiting hours and public use limits are established for all or for the listed portions of the park, and the following closures are established for all or a portion of the park to all public use or to a certain use or activity:

Visiting Hours:

• The normal hours of visitation to the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site are 10:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

• Park is closed Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, special closures due to construction, weather emergencies or for public safety.

• The site may be closed on additional days when the President excuses federal employees from duty or closes executive departments and agencies and may close early or modify operating hours when the Secretary of the Interior grants administrative leave or early dismissal to federal employees.

Public Use Limits - Pursuant to §1.5(d) to implement a public use limit, the Superintendent may establish a permit, registration, or reservations system:

• No private vehicle access to the site is permitted. Visitors are transported to the site by an authorized vehicle only, which must hold 25 passengers or less. Visitors to Tao House must be accompanied by a ranger or docent. Use of the Eugene O’Neill Foundation Library is subject to the same limits of access as all other visitor uses. Tao House is closed to private parties.

Closures:

• No food or drink is allowed in the historic portion of Tao House.

Unmanned Aircraft System Use:

• The launching, landing or operating or an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site is prohibited.

(a)(2) The following areas have been designated for a specific use or activity, under the conditions and/or restrictions as noted:

Filming:

Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity may require a permit, consistent with 54 U.S.C. 100905.

• Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that occurs in closed areas, requires exclusive use of a site or area, or involves a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) requires a permit, unless the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
• Filming, still photography, and audio recording that involves more than eight individuals requires a permit, unless the NPS has specifically notified an individual or group that a permit is not required, or if the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.

• If a permit is required for the reasons stated above, or if the NPS otherwise determines and then notifies an individual or group that a permit is required for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity, then engaging in that activity without a permit is prohibited. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued by the NPS for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity is prohibited, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, in addition to any penalties that may apply under 36 CFR 1.3.

Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity. Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2), which allows the superintendent to impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity, consistent with applicable legislation, to implement management responsibilities. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 1.5(b). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 is not highly controversial, will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the System unit, will not adversely affect the System unit's natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the System unit, because the permit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contain terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the System unit, and implements federal law.

First Amendment Activity: The area adjacent to the north east corner of the new barn/maintenance facility on the asphalt surface within sight of the Tao House, Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site is designated for public assembly and sale or distribution of printed matter. For groups larger than 25 a permit is required as stated in section 2.51(a) below.

Bicycles: The use of bicycles, including e-bikes in the park is allowed as stated in 36 CFR section 4.30 below. Except as specified in this Compendium, the use of an e-bike within Eugene O’Neill NHS is governed by State law, which is adopted and made a part of this Compendium. Any violation of State law adopted by this paragraph is prohibited.

The above are in place to provide maximum Visitor and Resource Protection consistent with current staffing levels.

36 CRF §1.6-ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT

Activities requiring a permit are listed above under Public Use Limits and throughout this document under the specific 36 CFR Section that authorizes or requires the issuance of a permit.

§1.5(d) The following activities related to Public Use Limits:

• Student activities such as field trips, ranger or docent led tours, or research projects.

§2.5(a) Specimen collection (take plant, fish, wildlife, rocks or minerals)

§2.12 Audio Disturbances:

• (a)(2) Operating a chain saw in developed areas

• (a)(3) Operation of any type of portable motor or engine, or device powered by a portable motor or engine in non-developed areas

• (a)(4) Operation of a public address system in connection with a public gathering or special event for which a permit has been issued pursuant to §2.50 or §2.5

§2.17 Aircraft & Air Delivery:

• (a)(3) Delivery or retrieval of a person or object by parachute, helicopter or other airborne means

• (b)(1) Removal of a downed aircraft

§2.37 Soliciting or demanding gifts, money goods or services (Pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit issued under §2.50, §2.51 or §2.52).

§2.38 Explosives:

• (a) Use, possess, store, transport explosives, blasting agents

• (b) Use or possess fireworks

§2.51(a) Public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades and other public expressions of views

§2.52(a) Sale or distribution of printer matter that is not solely commercial advertising

§2.60(b) Livestock use

§2.61(a) Residing on federal lands

§2.62 Memorialization:

• (a) Erection of monuments (Requires approval from Regional Director)

• (b) Scattering ashes from human cremation

§4.11(a) Exceeding established vehicle load, weight and size limits

§5.1 Advertisements - (Display, posting or distribution.)

§5.2(b) Sale of intoxicants on private lands.

§5.3 Engaging in or soliciting any business (Requires a permit, contract or other written agreement with the United States, or must be pursuant to special regulations).

§5.4(a) Commercial transportation of passengers by motor vehicles.

§5.5 Commercial Photography/Filming:

• (a) Commercial filming of motion pictures or television involving the use of professional casts, settings or crews, other than bona fide newsreel or news television

• (b) Still photography of vehicles, or other articles of commerce or models for the purpose of commercial advertising.

§5.6(c) Use of commercial vehicles on park area roads (The superintendent shall issue a permit to access private lands within or adjacent to the park when access is otherwise not available).

§5.7 Construction of buildings, facilities, trails, roads, boat docks, path, structure, etc.

36 CFR §2.1 – PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

(b) Hiking or pedestrian traffic is restricted within the courtyard and on the pathways adjacent to the Tao House. Pedestrian traffic is permitted in other areas surrounding the Tao House and other historic structures.

(c )(1) and (c )(2) The following fruits, nuts berries may be gathered by hand for personal use or consumption, in accordance with the noted size, quantity, collection sites and/or use or consumption restrictions:

• Fruits and nuts from the orchard trees in quantities that can be consumed on site.

36 CFR §2.10. – CAMPING and FOOD STORAGE
Camping is prohibited in the park.

36 CFR §2.11 – PICNICKING
Certain areas have been closed to picnicking and are listed in section 1.5(a)(1) “Closures”.

Conditions for Picnicking:

• Picnicking is allowed at the picnic tables adjacent to the Visitor Center, at picnic tables adjacent to the pool, and at the picnic tables near the new barn.

36CFR#2.13, - FIRES

(a)(1) The lighting or maintaining of fires is generally prohibited, except as provided for in the following designated areas and/or receptacles, and under the conditions noted:

Designated Areas:

• n/a

Conditions on Lighting or Maintaining a Fire:

• A fire may be ignited and maintained only by using fuel sources designed andcommonly used for warmth or the preparation of food, such as charcoal briquettes or natural firewood. Lighting or maintaining a fire with other materials including, but not limited to, flammable liquids, garbage, fireworks, plastics, aerosol canisters, batteries, or other manufactured or synthetic materials, is prohibited.

This action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protectionof environmental or scenic values, protection of natural or cultural resources, andthe implementation of management responsibilities. Materials other than approvedcombustibles – especially fire accelerants and substances prone to wind transportor explosion – creates serious risks when used to light or maintain fires. Thesecombustibles can ignite or spread wildfires that directly threaten people andvaluable resources and assets. The burning of manufactured or synthetic materialscan contribute to air pollution, contaminate soil and water, and be toxic to humansand the environment. Less restrictive measures, such as an education campaigninforming visitors of the risks of using certain materials to light or maintain a fire,would not be commensurate with the substantial risks associated with thoseactivities and could lead to adverse outcomes that might be prevented byestablishing an enforceable condition.

36 CFR §2.15 – PETS

(a)(1) Possessing pets in public buildings, public transportation vehicles, and the following structures and/or areas are closed to animals or pets:

• Tao House and other historic buildings.
• Service animals (on a six foot or shorter leash) are permitted in all areas.

(a)(5) Pet excrement must be disposed of in accordance with the following conditions:

• Must be placed in a container and disposed of by owner.

36 CFR §2.16 – HORSES and PACK ANIMALS

(b) The use of horses or pack animals is only permitted on the existing roads in the park.

36 CFR §2.21 – SMOKING/VAPING

(a) The following portions of the park, or all or portions of buildings, structures or facilities are closed to smoking or vaping as noted:

• All buildings and vehicles in the park are closed to smoking.

36 CFR §2.35 –ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES and CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

(a)(3)(i) The following areas and facilities within the park are closed to consumption of alcoholic beverages, and/or to the possession of a bottle, can or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, or has been opened, or whose seal has been broken or the contents of which have been partially removed:

• Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the park unless by permit approved by the Superintendent.

36 CFR §2.62 – MEMORIALIZATION

• (b) A permit is required for the scattering of ashes from cremated human remains

36 CFR §3.16 – SWIMMING AND WADING

(a)(1) The following areas are closed to swimming and bathing without a permit, which will require a lifeguard as a condition of the permit:

• Park swimming pool.

36 CFR §4.30(f)-(i)- BICYCLES (including electric bicycles)

Bicycles, including electric bikes, are permitted on the following administrative park roads and parking areas. Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited.

• Kuss Road to the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness boundary

• Driveway turnaround

• Paved parking by administrative building and New Barn

 

Firearms

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, visit the California Attorney General's website.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.