On January 22, 2021, the US District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in Price v. Barr determining the permit and fee requirements applying to commercial filming under 54 USC 100905, 43 CFR Part 5, and 36 CFR Part 5.5 are unconstitutional. The National Park Service has issued interim guidance as of February 22, 2021, to manage filming activities. Under the interim guidance, filming activities may require a permit if they pose a threat to park resources or the visitor experience. The National Park Service intends to update regulations addressing filming activities that are consistent with the outcome of Price v. Barr. Once effective, those regulations will replace and supersede the interim guidance.
Please click the link above for more information. Applications require a minimum of 14 days to fully process.
A special use permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large and requires written authorization and management control in order to protect park resources and the public interest. Examples include: organized group events, weddings, athletic events, First Amendment activities and special assemblies.
Each of these activities requires a special use permit that must be acquired in advance.
Most applications require a minimum of 14 days to fully process.
If after reading the information from the above links you have questions or not sure a permit is needed, please contact the Special Use Permits Coordinator at nicholas_a_poulos@nps.gov.