What is a Commercial Use Authorization?A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service. It authorizes you to conduct commercial activities and to provide specific visitor services within a national park. We will only issue CUAs for activities that:
You must have a CUA if you or your organization provide services that:
PL 105-391, Section 418 and 36 CFR 5.3 require NPS to issue and charge a reasonable fee for CUAs. You may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the CUA. How do I apply for a CUA?
What Services are Currently Authorized?Commercial CarriersDefined as any type of motor vehicle used for commercial transportation service in which visitors are conveyed into and/or out of any GGNRA area for a direct or indirect fee and, except for on-board interpretative services, no other services are provided. This definition includes sedans, SUVs, minivans, vans, mini-buses, motor coaches and limousines used for commercial transportation services. Guided ServicesDefined as any type of guided commercial activity provided to GGNRA area visitors for a direct or indirect fee or charge. This definition includes but is not limited to hiking, biking, kayaking, or horseback riding instruction, education and motivational exercises for groups of all sizes, including individual coaching. You are required to obtain a CUA if your company offers guided commercial activities within GGNRA more than four times per year. Applications are received on a rolling-basis; however, all permits expire on November 15th. Outdoor Fitness OperatorsDefined as any type of commercial guided exercise activity provided to GGNRA visitors for a direct or indirect fee or charge.This definition includes but is not limited to fitness instruction, education and motivational exercises for groups up to 30 people, including individual coaching. You are required to obtain a CUA if your company offers outdoor fitness programs within GGNRA more than one time per week or more than four times per month. Applications are received on a rolling-basis; however, all permits expire on August 15th. Click here to download the Current Outdoor Fitness CUA Application Catered Picnic ServicesDefined as any type of temporary, food service picnicking activity provided to GGNRA visitors for a direct or indirect fee or charge. This definition is specifically restricted to temporary picnics and specifically excludes all food service carts, vehicles, kiosks or similar services and any picnic service that provides on-site cooking. A maximum of 25 participants will be permitted per picnic. Each picnic is limited to three hours in length between sunrise and sunset in designated areas only. No more than one picnic is permitted at a time per provider per park site. Contact InformationThe Business Management Division office is located on the San Francisco Bay in Fort Mason at the intersection of Bay and Franklin. Our office is located in building 201 (GGNRA headquarters) and is generally accessible to persons with disabilities. However, all CUA applications should be submitted via email to goga_business@nps.gov. If you are unable to download an application, we are happy to send you one via email or postal mail. |
Last updated: November 16, 2022