Road Use Permits

Road Use Permits are required for commercial hauling; use of a road that is otherwise closed to access non-federal property; road use that is otherwise restricted by a road use order or a regulation; or motor vehicle use on NFS roads that are not designated for that use on a motor vehicle use map.

To Request a standard Road Use Permit:

Step 1: Determine which zone your travel will be starting from; North Zone or South Zone (map available here).

Step 2: Send a request using one of the following links, North Zone or South Zone. Be sure to include the following information;

Include your name and or company name
Phone number and other important contact information
Use requested (include description of route with road numbers when possible)
A start date and end date. The timeframe you are requesting for the permit

Step 3: Please allow 1-2 weeks processing time. A Forest Service Official will contact you regarding your permit in the order that they are processed.

FSM 7731.17 – Road Use Permits:

Road use permits authorize use of NFS roads, NFS road segments, and associated transportation facilities for purposes of commercial hauling or as an exception to traffic rules and use restrictions. Road use permits may authorize use of a road that is otherwise closed to access non-federal property; road use that is otherwise restricted by a road use order or a regulation; or motor vehicle use on NFS roads that are not designated for that use on a motor vehicle use map.

FSM 7730.5 – Definitions:

Commercial Hauler. A person or entity engaging in commercial hauling.

Commercial Hauling. For purposes only of cost recovery under FSM 7730, commercial use of NFS roads to transport:

1. Federal or non-federal products from Federal, State, or private lands;

2. Livestock, other than livestock authorized to use NFS lands, feed for livestock authorized to use NFS lands, and livestock from farms and ranches in or adjacent to the NFS; or

3. Goods for, supplies for, or customers of commercial uses or activities on NFS lands pursuant to a special use authorization or other written authorization issued by the Forest Service, other than:

a. A Forest Service contract;

b. An agreement between the Forest Service and another Federal agency, unless the agreement specifically provides for cost recovery;

c. A grazing permit;

d. An authorization for a concession involving federally-owned facilities; and

e. A special recreation permit issued under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(d)(2)).

Commercial Use or Activity. For purposes only of this chapter, a use or activity on NFS lands whose primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit.

Road Use Permit. A written authorization issued pursuant to Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 212, Subpart A, that allows an act or omission on an NFS road or NFS road segment and associated transportation facilities that would otherwise be in violation of a traffic rule in effect on the road, including:

1. Use of a closed road to access non-federal property (36 CFR 212.6(b));

2. Commercial hauling on a road where that use is otherwise restricted (36 CFR 212.9(d) and 261.54); and

3. Motor vehicle use on an NFS road that is not designated for that purpose
(36 CFR 212.51(a)(8).