Special Use Permit FAQs

 

What are Permits?

Permits are written authorization to conduct an activity on land administered by the National Park Service with conditions for using the park that take into consideration safety, resource protection, and normal park visitation.

Why are Permits Required?

At times, the National Park Service requires permits for activities to make sure these activities do not cause unacceptable impacts to a park's natural and cultural resources or unduly interfere with park visitors' access and enjoyment. Permits are generally required by regulation for activities that are organized, not considered part of the regular visitation or intended use of a site, or need to be regulated for any number of reasons.

What Costs are Associated with a Permit?

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $100.00 must accompany all permit applications. Application fees and cost recovery fees will only be waived on a case by case basis in accordance with Naitonal Park Service policy.

Location Fees

Commercial Filming and Still Photography permits require location fees due to their size and impact on the resource and visitor access to the site. The cost schedule for these permits can be seen by following their links.

Cost Recovery

Cost Recovery is charged at a dollar-in dollar-out ratio to the permittee, meaning whatever the cost is to the NPS to manage the permit is the exact cost that will be charged to the permittee. For permits that require park staff to monitor the permits, this price will be the hourly rate of the park staff. For planning purposes, the park recommends permittees plan for an estimated cost of $50 per ranger per hour.

How do I Apply for a Permit?

1. If you are interested in applying for a Special Park Use Permit, you MUST fill out the Special Use Permit application. If applying for a commercial filming or still photography permit, please use the Commercial Filming/Still Photography Application.
2. Once a permit application has been completed, e-mail your application to the permitting office: [e-mail]
3. All applications will have a non-refundable $100 application fee associated with them. Payments can be made via credit card or check. In your application e-mail, specify which payment method is preferred.
4. Once an application has been submitted and the application fee has been paid, the permits coordinator will review your application with the park management team to determine whether your permit application will be approved. Please allow at least three weeks for special use permit processing.

How long does it take to get a Permit?

Permits require time to process payments, review with the park management team, and write to the specifics of each event. Because of this, permits take about six weeks to process. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the event.

Will I need insurance for my event?

For most special event permits, a certificate of liability insurance will be required. Proof of insurance is required, and documentation must carry a commercial liability (minimum of $1,000,000) issued by a U.S. company. Insurance certificate must identify the production company by name and business address. "The United States" will be named as "additional insured" on the insurance certificate.

The Certificate Holder is to be listed as:

National Park Service, Hampton National Historic Site, 535 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286.

Where in the park can I have my permit?

Hampton NHS has NO INDOOR SPACES for permitted events. When applying for a permit, be prepared for the permit totake place outdoors and have weather dates or plans.

For a detailed overview of what can happen in different areas of the park, make sure to review the park's compendium. a detailed map is located a tthe bottom of the page.

When can I have my permited event?

Park Hours

• Permits occuring on site outside of the park hours will only receive approval IF the park has staff available to work outside the the park's hours of operation. There is no guarantee that staff will be available outside of these hours. Make sure to check the park's hours of operation before planning your event.

Available Dates

• Special park use permits may not interfere with regular park operations. If a permit request conflicts with events occuring within the park, it may be denied. Make sure to check the park's calendar before requesting permit dates.

What will the park provide for a permit?

Equipment

• The National Park Service will not provide any equipment for a permitted event. All equipment that a permittee believes they will need must be provided by the permittee. This includes chairs, tents, podiums, tables, etc.
• All equipment that plans to be set up for a permit should be specifically listed in the permit application.

Electricity

• The National Park Service will not provide electricity for a permitted event. Due to the difficulty of providing electricity to all areas of the park and the innability to measure the impact that permittees have on the park's power supply, permittees may not use the park's electricity for their permitted events.
• Permits that will require a source of electricity should plan on using generators as part of their equipment plan.

Staffing

• The National Park Service will not provide staffing for a permitted event. Any park staff present for the permit are there to monitor the permit to ensure that all conditions of the permit are being met. Any staffing required for the permit (race monitors, set-up and tear-down labor, cleanup crews, etc.) should be provided by the permittee.
• In the event of large sacle permitted events, park staff may need to direct traffic and provide other safety measures.
• All park staff involved in monitoring and providing safety operations for permits will be paid for by permittees through cost recovery (see above).