Frequently Asked QuestionsView frequently asked questions about Commercial Use Authorizations below. 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: are determined to be an appropriate use of Everglades National Park; will have minimal impact on Everglades National Park’s resources and values; and are consistent with Everglades National Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations. The law requires that CUAs:
Yes. The National Park Service is in the process of drafting final regulations, at the national level, that cover appropriate operations under the CUA process. A permit is required if you as an individual, organization or corporation provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients or the public which takes place at least in part of the National Park, uses Park resources and results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit. A commercial tour or service consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Yes.In order to help further close the gap in our efforts to build and sustain a solid CUA program moving forward, the updated CUA fees for calendar year 2026 are as follows: • $350 application fee will be due at submission • $1,000 management fee for two-year permits. Yes. Yes. In order to help further close the gap in our efforts to build and sustain a solid CUA program moving forward, the updated CUA fees for calendar year 2026 are as follows: • $350 application fee will be due at submission • $1,000 management fee for two-year permits All CUA applications are processed through the online CUA Application and Reporting System. Watch this instructional video on using the online CUA Application and Reporting System. Please read the application instructions and review all necessary supporting documentation before applying for a CUA. To retain the CUA, the operator must submit monthly visitation statistics through the CUA Online System. An annual report is also required. Commercial Operators who do not submit monthly visitation statistics and annual reports may be subject to denial during the following application period. Yes. Authority to revoke an authorization is provided for via the signed statement on the authorization. Failure on the part of the CUA holder to abide by the provisions of the authorization is citable under 36 CFR Section 1.6(g) and Section 5.3 and may result in denial, suspension, or revocation. For the policy on denial, suspension, and revocation to be sent via email, please email us.
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Last updated: February 5, 2026