Permits & Reservations

RESERVATIONS

We welcome your bus tour, group tour, or school field trip! While our museums are self-guided, your group may be met by a park ranger who will introduce you to the site on the day of your visit. To plan a group visit, send an email or phone [phone], Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

 

Wedding photography at Steamtown NHS requires a Special Use Permit and is usually permissible as long as they don't interfere with park and railroad operations.

Photo credit: Crystal Satriano Photography

SPECIAL USE PERMITS

A Special Use Permit is a short-term activity that takes place in a park area and provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large. The National Park Service may permit a special park use providing the activity will not cause derogation of the park's resources or values, visitor experiences, or the purpose for which the park was established. Primary concern will be given to the potential for resource damage and to anticipated disruption of normal public use.

Special Use Permits must be obtained in advance. Permit processing typically takes 30 days but could be longer for larger events that require park participation in planning or for events that require that a park monitor be present for the event.

Although most activities do not require insurance, large events do, so it pays to apply well in advance of your large event. All permits require an application and a non-refundable application fee. Depending on the type of activity, additional fees may apply.

Examples of events that require a Special Use Permit are cultural programs, picnics, festivals, wedding ceremonies, film and photography projects, static displays, etc.

Within your application, the Superintendent will look for a meaningful association between the park and the event and how the event contributes to visitor understanding of the park's significance. Conflicts with other events and park staffing are other considerations taken into account during the approval process.

PLEASE NOTE: Permission is not granted until the permit is fully executed and authorized by the Superintendent.

Types of Permits

1) BASIC PERMITS

A basic permit is required for, but is not limited to: special events, wedding ceremonies, festivals, cultural programs, contractor/public utility work, and displays.

Depending on the size and type of event, insurance may be required.

Applications are available via download or by contacting the Special Park Use Coordinator.

2) FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY PERMITS

A Special Use Permit is not required for most personal use of photography, filming or video. Similarly, filming and photography by bonafide news crews or by the National Park Service pursuant to a cooperative agreement or contract does not require a permit.

Weddings:
Although weddings require a Special Use Permit, wedding photography does not generally require a permit unless the photo session interferes with normal park operations, is in a location normally closed to the public, occurs after hours, or includes elaborate set up such as the use of multiple strobes, fill reflectors, or diffusion sheets. Professional photographers should inquire about the need for a Special Use Permit prior to their photo shoot. Applications are available via download or by contacting the Special Park Use Coordinator.


Commercial Filming or Photography:
All photography and filming that includes the use of sets, props or models requires a permit. Requests that include cast and crew, extended closures to the park, or after-hours use of the park require a Special Use Permit. Applications are available via download or by contacting the Special Park Use Coordinator.


3.) COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS

A commercial use authorization is defined as any activities, services, agreements, or anything offered to park visitors and/or the general public for recreational purposes which uses park resources or is undertaken for or results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to an individual, organization, or corporation, whether or not such entity is organized for purposes recognized as non-profit under local, state, or federal law.

In Steamtown, Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) are most commonly required for vendors that wishes to sell food or souvenirs during a special events.

If you are a business operator and want to conduct business within the park, you are required to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) (36 CFR Sec. 5.3).

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) are one method of authorizing commercial visitor services.
• CUAs may be issued for up to two years.
• There is no right or guarantee of renewal.
• CUAs require a $50 application fee.
• CUAs are not considered concession contracts.
• Commercial business activity is prohibited within the park unless a CUA has been granted by the park (36 CFR Sec. 5.3).

To apply for a CUA, please fill out an application with as much information as possible, including dates and times of the requested event. A CUA holder must provide commercial liability insurance as part of the application. Applications are available via download or by contacting the Special Park Use Coordinator.

Please also note that any food being sold on NPS property requires a valid/current "ServSafe" certificate. (https://www.servsafe.com/home) as well as a copy of a valid and current food license.

Other Federal, state, and municipal laws may be required and additional permits may be required.

Event requests involving alcohol shall be determined based on the event and activities and, if permitted, additional insurance will be required.

4.) RIGHT OF WAY PERMITS

The National Park Service has specific Department of the Interior wide guidelines on Right of Way Permits. Please refer to the link for rules, regulations, and applications.


For Fees and payment information, please see the Payment Information section.

Project Review

All SUP and CUA requests are subject to a review process to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This review period is the opportunity for all departments to consider potential impacts and staff needs prior to permitting a special use request. Once an application is submitted, most special uses take 30 days for review. Permits could require a much longer review period, especially if the proposal is new or for a very large event, so please plan accordingly. If you have questions or concerns, contact us.

Insurance and Bonding

Insurance

Large events and commercial activities require a certificate of general liability insurance. Contact the Special Park Uses Coordinator for questions related to liability insurance.

Bonding

Large events may trigger the need for the Permittee to post a refundable performance (damage) bond. The amount of the bond will be equivalent to the estimated cost to the NPS for clean-up, repair or rehab of resources that could potentially be impacted by the permit activities. At the conclusion of the permit, the bond will be returned to the Permittee after costs of clean-up, repair, or rehabilitation are deducted.
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General Rules

Limits to the area, type, duration, and scope of park use are codified in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, where general park regulations may be found, and within the Superintendent’s Compendium, where park-specific regulations are posted.

In addition, specific, park-mandated use limits are listed within the conditions of the permit. Failure to abide by any of the above conditions may be grounds for a permit violation, resulting in fines, or immediate cancellation of the event.

When applying for a Special Use Permit, remember to attach maps, diagrams, script pages or storyboards to assist the park staff in evaluating your request.

First Amendment

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are Constitutional Rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources. Therefore, all First Amendment activities with over 25 participants require special use permits, and the park may regulate the time, place, and manner in which they are conducted. First Amendment activities with less than 25 participants who utilize designated areas (see the shadded areas) do not require a permit. First Amendment permit requests will be processed within two business days. Some examples of special events that require permits include:

Distribution and/or sale of printed matter
Religious services
Public demonstrations or assemblies, etc.
Collecting signatures for petitions

Also, review the Superintendents Compendium for more details concerning park regulations.

Payment Information

The permit office cannot accept credit cards. All permit applications must be paid by checks, cashier checks, or money orders made payable to "National Park Service." Final payment cost will be determined after we receive your permit application. Below are some of the fees you may incur.

Application Fee: $50.00.This is due when submitting your application. This fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee that you can have your event at Steamtown NHS.

Cost Recovery Fees: The National Park Service must recoup costs associated with the management of a private event. Personnel and other costs are determined by the type and scope of activity, the location, the time of day, the utilities used, the security required, and other factors. Each permit will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The applicant will be notified of an estimate of charges prior to the event, and the permittee will be billed for actual expenses at the conclusion of the permit.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION:

Please be sure to provide as much detail as possible in order for a timely response. Submitting information regarding maps, dates/times, equipment, locations will help speed up the review process.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Mail applications and application fee payments to:

Steamtown National Historic Site
Attn: Special Use Permit Coordinator
150 South Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-2018
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

If you have additional questions you may send us an email.
NOTE: Application fees MUST be received before your application can be reviewed. Applications are not accepted via email as they contain confidential information and email is not secure (encrypted).

Thank you for your interest in Steamtown National Historic Site, a unit of your National Park Service.