Permits and Reservations

Special Use Permits

A Special Use Permit is required for activities that:

• Provide a benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large:
• Requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the NPS in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
• Is not prohibited by law and regulation;
• Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the Service; and
• Is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease

The following activities at Wright Brothers National Memorial may require a Special Use Permit

Sports or Other Events

Military ceremonies require a permit but the application fee is waived.

Permit Application Steps:

• Complete the Sporting Events/Special Events application.
• Pay a non-refundable $200 application fee using Pay.gov. You can pay using debit, or charge card. Do not send cash or checks.
• E mail signed application and receipt of required payment to e-mail us

The non-refundable $200 application fee covers the cost of administering the permit request and is non-refundable. Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, may apply.
You will receive a response regarding your application within two weeks of receipt.

Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording

• In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:

  • Occurs in areas open to the public; 

  • Uses hand-carried equipment only; 

  • Does not require exclusive use of a site;  

  • Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and 

  • Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the NPS. 

• Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
• All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
• When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.

Will I need to provide proof of insurance?

You will be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States of America as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity.

What fees will I have to pay?

Federal law requires the NPS to recover its administrative costs for filming and still photography activities that require a permit. Cost recovery includes an application fee of $250 and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the NPS in processing your request and Location Fees (see below). The application fee must be submitted with your application. 

Filming Permit Application Steps:

• Complete the Filming Permit Application
  • Filming Application
• E mail signed application to e-mail us
• If your proposed filming meets the criteria above we will send you an electronic bill to your e mail address to pay the required $250 application fee along with the appropriate location fee.

The $250 application fee covers the cost of administering the permit request and is non-refundable. Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, will apply. You will receive a response regarding your application within two weeks of receipt.

In addition, Federal law also requires the NPS to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands for filming and for still photography that requires a permit. The NPS uses the following fee schedules for filming: 

Filming Location Fees

• 1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day 

• 1–10 people - $150/day 

• 11–30 people - $250/day 

• 31–49 people - $500/day 

• Over 50 people - $750/day

• Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.
• Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required. 

Still Photography Location Fees

• 1–10 people - $50/day
• 11–30 people - $150/day
• Over 30 people - $250/day

Still Photography Permit Application Steps:

• Complete the Still Photography application.
  • Still Photography Permit Application
• E mail signed application to e-mail us
• If your proposed filming meets the criteria above we will send you an electronic bill to your e mail address to pay the required $250 application fee along with the appropriate location fee.

The $250 application fee covers the cost of administering the permit request and is non-refundable. Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, will apply. You will receive a response regarding your application within two weeks of receipt.

What about photography workshops?

If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. Please visit our Commercial Use Authorizations Page for more information.

First Amendment

Examples of First Amendment activities:

• Religious services
• Political speeches
• Press conferences
• Voter registration
• Public demonstration, picketing, assembly or rally expressing opinions and views
• Complete the Permit Application if you answer YES to any of the above criteria

A permit is required for First Amendment activities that meet any of the following criteria:

• Groups larger than 25 participants
• Utilizes significant equipment including generators, platforms, tents, etc.
• Would like a guarantee of priority use of a specific location

• Is requesting an area not otherwise open to the public

A group of 25 people or fewer is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if you do not meet the criteria above, but you may choose to obtain a permit to prevent another group from reserving your requested area.

The National Park Service has designated two First Amendment Assembly Areas within Wright Brothers National Memorial as indicated on the map. Maps of these areas can be found in the Superintendent’s Compendium,https://www.nps.gov/wrbr/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm. Alternative locations may be requested and will be accommodated as feasible.

If your activity meets the criteria above or you wish to obtain a permit for your First Amendment activity, complete the First Amendment application and e-mail it to [e-mail]. We request that applications are submitted no later than 15 days prior to the activity to allow time for processing. No application fee is required for First Amendment activities.

Scatter Ashes

A permit is required for scattering of human ashes from cremation and is allowed at Wright Brothers National Memorial pursuant to the following terms and conditions:
 

•  Ashes must be fully refined with no detectable remains and shall not be distinguishable to the general public. Scattering must result in complete dispersal of ashes. Cremains may not be piled in one location or buried.
• Scattering of human remains is prohibited in the following areas:
  • Within 100 yards of buildings, structures, picnic areas, roads, water sources, or closed areas
• No rocks, vegetation or other natural resources will be moved, stacked, cut, or disturbed in any way.
• No monument, memorial, plaque, structure, urn, photo, or other commemorative item may be left within the boundaries of the park area. Do not bring any potted plants, dried flower arrangements or any plant with seeds as these may introduce non-native or invasive species.
• The permittee recognizes and is aware of the sensitivity of this activity and agrees to perform it in a discreet and private manner.
• The use of acoustical instruments and the use of a small, portable, battery operated blue tooth speaker is acceptable as long as they meet the standards listed in 36 CFR 2.12(a)(1) and do not interfere with the use of the area by other individuals. No public address systems are allowed.
• The permittee recognizes that the National Park Service (NPS) does not commit to treating the area as sacred or as a burial ground or cemetery. Park uses, operations, and programs will be continued without regard to the presence of the cremains.
• Permittee will be responsible for security and orderly behavior at the event.
• Access to the area must be kept open to the public and the memorialization cannot interfere with normal visitor activity in any manner. The park will not exclude nor allow you to exclude other park visitors from the site during the ceremony.

If your activity meets the criteria above and you wish to obtain a permit to scatter ashes, complete the application by following this link: application and e-mail it to e-mail us. We request that applications are submitted at least 15 days prior to the activity to allow time for processing. No application fee is required for scattering of ashes.

 

Questions and Additional Information

For questions or information about permits for other types of uses, or if you have any questions about the process or your permit, please contact our Special Park Uses Coordinator at 252-475-9034 or e mail us.