Special Park Use Permits

 

Photograph of Democratic Senatorial candidate Robert F. Kennedy addressing a crowd at a rally on Wall Street from the steps of Federal Hall National Memoria

National Parks of New York Harbor

Special Park Use Permits

(36 CFR § 2.50 Special events, and 43 CFR Subpart A) as well as National Park Service policy and guidance.

A permit is required for any activity that provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than to the park or the public at large. These activities may include: events, regattas, First Amendment activities, commercial filming, and photography. Many of these require permits and some degree of oversight from National Park Service staff.

Application process

Permittee will download, complete, and submit a special Park Use Application form to the park. Application forms may be sent via mail (address listed below) or e-mail (preferred) to: [e-mail].

Once the Permit Coordinator receives the application, the permittee will receive a follow up e-mail with a link to pay the $50 application fee online, unless previous arrangements are made for payment via check or money orders.

Once the application and fee are processed by park staff, the review process begins. The applicant will hear a response as to whether their application has been approved or not within 10 days of receipt. If approved, the permittee will need to submit to the park, a Certificate of Insurance (instructions). The Park may require a site walk through with permittee to finalize all details about the event.

Once all these steps are taken, the special Park Use Coordinator will draft up a permit, and send a copy to the permittee to review and sign. The permittee will send the signed copy back to the permit coordinator, who will then have the Park Superintendent sign the permit. A copy of the permit, with both permittee and Superintendent's signatures, will be sent to the permittee, who must have it on-hand during the event.

 

Students filming at Stonewall National Monument

NPS

Filming

2022 Changes to Commercial Filming Permits on Park Lands

Effective October 28, 2022 and following a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on October 21, 2022, the National Park Service (NPS) functionally reinstated previous laws and regulations related to commercial filming in national parks. The NPS has rescinded the interim guidance that was in place during litigation and has returned to longstanding laws and regulations governing commercial filming in parks.

This means that all commercial filming that occurs within a unit of the National Park System requires 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. Individual parks may require a permit for non-commercial filming if a permit is necessary to manage the activity to protect park resources and values, minimize conflict between user groups, or to ensure public safety. More details about filming and permits in parks are available online: Filming & Still Photography Permits (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

What is Commercial Filming?

"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. Examples include, but are not limited to, feature film, videography, and documentaries. Commercial filming may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props.

Does commercial filming by individuals or small groups require a permit?

Federal law requires a permit for all commercial filming, no matter the size of the crew or the type of equipment. This includes individuals or small groups that don’t use much equipment, but generate revenue by posting footage on websites, such as YouTube and TikTok. The primary focus of the NPS, however, is on commercial filming that has the potential to impact park resources and visitors beyond what occurs from normal visitor use of park areas. Examples of this type of filming are productions that use substantial equipment such as sets and lighting, productions with crews that exceed 5 people, and filming in closed areas, wilderness areas, or in locations that would create conflicts with other visitors or harm sensitive resources.

All filmers, no matter the size, must comply with all rules that apply in park areas, just like other visitors.

Does non-commercial filming require a permit?

Individual parks may require a permit for non-commercial filming if necessary to manage the activity, to protect park resources and values, minimize 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, student filming, and filming for personal use and enjoyment. If you have questions about whether a non-commercial film project requires a permit, please contact the park where you intend to film in advance.

In most cases, a permit is not necessary for visitors filming for personal enjoyment.

Do I need a permit to film?

A special use permit is required for any individual, business, or organization (including nonprofit groups and educational institutions) filming for a market audience or receiving compensation associated with footage or recordings made in the park. Some examples insclude:

• Commercial advertisements, feature films, entertainment broadcasts, documentaries, promotional or educational films (including non-profit and student projects)
• Filming for stock footage (regardless of equipment or crew size)
• Time-lapse photography if the final sequence will be used in a motion picture format for commercial purposes
• Use of large or unusual equipment, even for non-commercial purposes if activities warrant oversight by park staff

What fees will I have to pay?

The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for Motion Pictures/Videos. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges 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 park and the size and complexity of your permit. The application fee must be submitted with your application.

In addition, the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a 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:

Motion Pictures/Videos

• 1 – 2 people, camera and tripod only $0/day
• 1 - 10 people $150/day
• 11 - 30 people $250/day
• 31 - 49 people $500/day
• Over 50 people $750/day

Filming Permit Application Forms:

Governors Island National Monument Filming Application Form

Castle Clinton National Monument Filming Application Form

Federal Hall Naitonal Memorial Filming Application Form

African Burial Ground National Monument Filming Application Form

Stonewall National Monument Filming Application Form

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site Filming Application Form

General Grant National Memorial Filming Application Form

Hamilton Grange National Memorial Filming Application Form

Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site Filming Application Form

 

Commercial film shoot

NPS/GOGA

Still Photography

When is a permit needed?

In most cases, still photography does not require a permit. A permit is required for still photography only when:

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

1. 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

1. the National Park Service would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

A “model” means a person or object that serves as the subject for still photography for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service. Models include, but are not limited to, individuals, animals, or inanimate objects, such as vehicles, boats, articles of clothing, and food and beverage products. Portrait subjects, such as wedding parties and high school graduates, are not considered models.

What fees will I have to pay?

The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for still photography permits. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges 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 park and the size and complexity of your permit. The application fee must be submitted with your application.

In addition, the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. The National Park Service uses the following still photography fee schedule:

• 1–10 people - $50/day
• 11–30 people - $150/day
• Over 30 people - $250/day

Are there other permit requirements?

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.

What about photography workshops?

If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. See the commercial use authorization page for more information.

How do I apply for a permit?

Submit a completed application along with the application fee to the park where you want to film or photograph 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 submitted application in a timely manner.

Filming Permit Application Forms

Governors Island National Monument Still Photography Permit Application Form

Castle Clinton National Monument Still Photography Permit Application Form

Federal Hall National Monument Still Photography Permit Application Form

African Burial Ground National Monument Still Photography Permit Application Form

Stonewall National Monument Still Photography Permit Application Form

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace N.H.S. Still Photography Permit Application Form

General Grant National Memorial Still Photography Permit Application Form

Hamilton Grange National Memorial Still Photography Permit Application Form

Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site Still Photography Permit Application Form

 

A permitted special event at Federal Hall National Memorial.

NPS

Special Park Use Permits

A special park use is an activity that takes place on park land or waters and meets the following criteria:

• Provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large,
• Requires written authorization and some degree of NPS management to protect park resources and the public interest,
• Is not prohibited by law or regulation,
• Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the NPS,
• Is not managed under a concession contract, and
• Is not managed through a lease.

Generally, The NPS encourages special park uses that accomplish any or all of the following:

• Support the mission of the NPS
• Add to the public understanding and enjoyment of the park
• Promote a sense of ownership and stewardship for the park and its resources
• Enhance the protection of park resources and values;
• Provide for an increased level of visitor safety.

The NPS will not issue special park use permits that:

• Create an unacceptable impact on park resources or values, or

• Are contrary to the purposes for which the park was established, or

• Unreasonably disrupt the atmosphere of peace and tranquility of wilderness, natural, historic, or commemorative locations within the park, or

• Unreasonably interfere with interpretive programs, visitor activities, visitor services, or NPS administrative activities, or

• Substantially interfere with the operation of public facilities or the services of NPS concessioners or contractors, or

• Create an unsafe or unhealthy environment for other visitors or employees, or

• Result in conflict with other existing uses.

What Fees are required?

The NPS may recover from the permittee all agency costs incurred in processing the application, and monitoring the permitted activity if the request is approved. Costs include, but are not limited to: a $50 non-refundable application fee, staff monitoring, adminstrative costs, electricity use. The permit coordinator will provide the permittee with a cost quote upon request. Actual costs will be billed after the event. Permittees may pay all fees via check, money order or online wiht a credit/debit card.

Requesting a Special Use Permit For a Special Event

Requests for special use permits for events should be made by submitting an application at least 10 days prior to the date of the planned event. More advance notice is recommended. Please return the appropriate application form from the selection below to request a permit as soon as possible. All questions should be answered as accurately and completely as possible. If hosting an event, please include floor plans, run of shows and specifics on what equipment is needed. This will assist the park in determining the appropriateness of the planned activities and help to estimate NPS costs that may be incurred in managing, facilitating, or supporting the use. Submission of the application form and fee payment does not imply permission for any special use or event. For more information please read the instructions.

Examples of activities that need a special use permit include, but are not limited to, the following:

• ceremonies
• performances
• festivals
• cultural programs

Special Park Use Permit Application Forms

African Burial Ground National Monument Application

Castle Clinton National Monument Application

Federal Hall National Memorial Application

General Grant National Memorial Application

Governors Island National Monument Application

Hamilton Grange National Memorial Application

Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site Application

Stonewall National Monument Application

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site Application

 

People in the street during a Civil Rights March

First Amendment Activities

First Amendment activities include freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly. All of these are constitutional rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities and rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources. Each Park has a designated area for First Amendment activities thats listed in the Superintendent's compendium.

Requesting a Special Park Use Permit for a First Amendment Activity

A small group, defined as "25 people or less," is not required to obtain a First Amendment permit if it is located within a park designated site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or hand held signs.

A permit is required for any small group that:

• wants to hold a demonstration or distribute and/or sell printed matter somewhere outside a designated First Amendment area;

• wants to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc) even if it is within the designated area;

• is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25 person maximum;

• wants to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location, including the designated First Amendment areas

• wants to use amplified sound and you must obtain a New York Police Department sound permit and submit a copy of the sound permit.

A large group, defined as "more than 25 people," is required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if it is utilizing a park designated First Amendment site. Please email the Special Park Use Coordinator ([e-mail]) regardless whether a permitted is required.

Are there fees associated with First Amendment Activities?

There are no cost recovery fees associated with First Amendment permits.

First Amendment Permit Application forms:

African Burial Ground National Monument Application

Castle Clinton National Monument Application

Federal Hall National Memorial Application

General Grant National Memorial Application

Governors Island National Monument Application

Hamilton Grange National Memorial Application

Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site Application

Stonewall National Monument Application

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site Application