Frequently Requested Permits

 

Band and Choral Performances

Bands and choirs travel from around the country to perform at the home of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” A special park use permit is typically required for performances held within the park. Bands will also require a certificate of liability insurance. Performance locations may vary based on group size, equipment, and park operations.

If you are interested in giving a vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” while visiting the park, you are welcome to do so without a permit, provided the performance does not interfere with visitor experience, park operations, or require additional equipment. Please contact the Permit Coordinator for additional information.

Please note that any activities that take place inside the Star Fort Historic Zone are in a fee area, and permitted activities do not exempt visitors from entrance fee requirements. Visit the park's Fees and Passes page for more informaiton.

First Amendment Demonstrations

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights guaranteed in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

First Amendment demonstrations are defined in 36 CFR 2.51 as "picketing, speechmaking, marching, holding vigils or religious services, and all other forms of conduct that involve communication or expression of views or grievances, engaged in by one or more persons", and declares that any activity that is defined under a demonstration are "allowed within park areas designated as available under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, when the superintendent has issued a permit for the activity.

Courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources and in accordance with NPS Management Policies and Directors Order #53, Section 7 “a Superintendent may establish permit conditions to protect park visitors, resources, and values.” The necessity of a permit to conduct First Amendment activities is determined by the group size. There are two locations at each individual park for First Amendment activities.

• Small Groups—Under 36 CFR 2.51(b)(1), 2.52 (b)(1), groups of 25 or fewer people may demonstrate, distribute or sell printed matter, or give away noncommercial, message-bearing, non-printed matter in designated, available areas without obtaining a permit.

• Large Groups—A large group is defined as “more than 25 people” and is required to obtain a First Amendment permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.

There are no permit fees associated with First Amendment permits. All parks have up to 10 days to process a fully executed application that seeks to engage in a demonstration or the sale or distribution of printed matter. The park's First Amendment Permits page provides more information on how to apply for this type of permit.

Military Ceremonies

Military ceremonies, including, but not limited to, military promotion, retirement, change of command, or reenlistment ceremonies, are considered special events and managed under a special park use permit and all permitting fees apply. However, if the event is determined to be official government business such as drills, exercises, or training, it is likely that permit fees will not apply.

Events with 50 or less people may take place inside the Star Fort Historic Zone, with other restrictions around equipment in the sensitive area. Large scale events with more than 50 people cannot take place inside of the Star Fort Historic Zone, and typically take place on the East or West lawns.

Sport Events

Any organized sporting event such as a 5K fun run/walk will require a special park use permit. In the application please be sure to include as much detail as possible about your event, including the number of participants, route, anticipated time frame, and any other needs related to the event. Sport events may not be held in the historic zone of the park, but there are recreational spaces available throughout the park.

Please note that permits do not grant permittees exclusive use of areas of the park. Meaning events, such as 5Ks, would not have exclusive use of the park's Seawall Trail, and participants would have to yield to allow other visitors, such as recreation walkers, runners, and cyclists, use of the path.

Weddings and Parties

Weddings and other celebrations, such as birthday parties, retirement parties, etc. are considered special park uses which may be considered through a special park use permit. It is possible that if these activities are low impact that they may be able to occur without a permit (less than 25 people attending, no equipment, no audio set up, etc.). If you believe your activity would be considered "low impact," it is still recommended to inquire with the park by contacting the park's permit coordinator to confirm your activity would not require a permit.

Please note that in accordance with 36 CFR, § 2.1.a.2 introducing live flowers into the park is strictly prohibited. Any planned use of flowers for a permitted activity should have the flowers be plastic, silk, or any other synthetic material.

Memorializations

Memorializations, celebrations of life, scattering of ashes, and related activities are possible within the park under a special park use permit. As such, thes activities are subject to the fees and cost recovery charges affiliated with SPU permits. Any requests to scatter ashes as part of a memorialization are possible under the following conditions:

• A permit is required for the scattering of ashes from cremated human remains
• Remains must be cremated and pulverized.
• Remains will be spread from a height no higher than two-feet off of the ground.
• No scattering of remains from the seawall into the Patapsco River is permitted.

Meetings/Conferences

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is often requested for meeting spaces. While permittees are welcome to request this type of activity, they should plan on the following:

• Fort McHenry has no indoor spaces available for permitted use. Often requested spaces in the park Visitor Center must remain open to the public, and any non-public facing spaces are not available for use for non-government business.
• The National Park Service does not provide access to electrical outlets for permitted activities.
• The National Park Service does not provide internet access to permitted activities.

This type of request would be under a Special Park Use Permit.

Filming Activities

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.

As laws and policies continue to evolve surrounding filming in National Parks, it is recommended to reverence the park's Filming/Photography/Audio recording page for the most up to date information.

Restrictions and Requirements

• No equipment will be provided by Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

• Access for other park visitors must not be impeded. Permits do not authorize exclusive use of any public lands, and the permittee must ensure that the rights of the general public visiting Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine are not infringed.

• Park visitor centers, restrooms, and other buildings may not be used for event preparations such as dressing, picture-taking, and waiting areas. These facilities may not be used in the event of inclement weather.

• Facilities for receptions and parties do not exist in the park.

• Available parking is limited and cannot be guaranteed. Permittees and their guests must park within designated parking areas. Carpooling or private shuttle is recommended and may be required for some sites. Overnight parking and horse-drawn carriages are prohibited.

• Amplified or loud music and public address systems must be requested in the permit application. If theses systems are approved, the permittee must provide the equipment, and 36 CFR 2.12 will be followed for all audio disturbances.

• The release/use of balloons, birds or butterflies and the throwing of rice, birdseed, flower petals or other natural or artificial material are not permitted.

• Permittee must exercise particular care to avoid disturbing wildlife and vegetation.

• Affixing signage to existing buildings, property, signs, poles or plants is prohibited.

• All trash must be placed in onsite trash containers. If the site does not have containers or if trash volume exceeds container capacity, permittee must bag and remove trash from parklands. Permittees failing to affect such cleanup will be charged the cost for such services.

• No fires, candles, lanterns, tiki torches, or any other type of open flame is authorized.

• Decoration or setup of tables, lecterns, chairs, or floral arrangements must be addressed in the permit application, and may only be used if written into the permit.

• Small tents, canopies, or other similar structures must be requested in the permit application. If approved, these structures will not be allowed to use stakes or other ground penetrating methods to secure the structures to the ground. Alternate securing methods such as weights, water jugs, sandbags, etc. will be required.

Cancellations or Change of Date/Location

• Permittees are allowed to move their scheduled ceremony to another available date if weather or other conditions make a change necessary. Rain dates must be specified in the permit application.

• Cancellations once the permit has begun by the time specified on the permit will result in limited fees. No call and/or no shows will be responsible for all actual costs associated with event.

• Cancellations up to 24 hours before the event will result in no charge beyond the non-refundable administrative fee.

• Fees estimated on the permit may fluctuate based on the number of Rangers monitoring the event, number of participants (up to 200), or time.

• Permittee is not allowed to go over/extend the time specified on the permit, but may shorten their event.

• Monitors will be assigned at the discretion of the Superintendent.