Event/Commercial Permits

A special-use authorization is a legal document such as a permit, term permit, lease, or easement, which allows occupancy, use, rights, or privileges of NFS land. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time.

1. If you will need to occupy, use, or build on NFS land for personal or business purposes, whether the duration is temporary or long term.
2. If there is a fee being charged or if income is derived from the use.
3. If an activity on NFS land involves individuals or organization with 75 or more participants or spectators.

1. Your request must be consistent with laws, regulations, orders, policies of NFS lands, other federal laws, and applicable State and local health and sanitation laws.
2. Your request must be consistent or made consistent with the standards and guidelines in the applicable Land and Resource Management Plan.
3. Your request must not pose serious or substantial risk to public health or safety.
4. Your request must not require exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy.
5. Your request does not unreasonably conflict or interfere with administrative uses, other scheduled or authorized existing uses, or use of adjacent non-NFS lands.
6. The proponent must not owe any fees to the Forest Service from a prior or existing special-use authorization.
7. No gambling or providing of sexually oriented commercial services can be authorized on NFS land, even if permitted under state law.
8. No military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals can be authorized on NFS land, unless it is federally funded.
9. No disposal of solid waste or storage or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances can be authorized on NFS land.

Cost Recovery Fees - An assessment of fees to recover agency costs for processing special use applications and costs for monitoring special use authorizations. These fees are separate from any fees charged for the use and occupancy of NFS lands. Cost Recovery fees only apply to recreation permits if the permit processing time is more than 50 hours, (For Example: Outfitter and Guide Permits and Recreation Events Permits). See the table below for the Cost Recovery fees.

Land Use Fees - This is an annual rental fee based on the fair market value for the uses authorized and is payable in advance. Fees are established by appraisal or other sound business management principles.

Other Associated Costs - You may be responsible for providing information and reports necessary to determine the feasibility and environmental impacts of your proposal; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and terms and conditions to be included in the authorization.

Contact Information – You are strongly encouraged to contact the permit administrator on the unit where you’d like to guide prior to submitting a proposal.

Depending on the complexity of the proposal, obtaining a Special Use Authorization can sometimes be a lengthy process. It is important to note not all proponent's will receive approval for a permit, therefore any action taken before receiving a Special Use authorization, such as occupying National Forest System Lands and advertising or expending funds, is premature and at the proponent's risk--and is against the law. It is recommended that your contact the permit administrator on the unit where you’d like to conduct your activity. Contact information here Proposal and application submission due dates are as follows:

• Guided hunting proposals, temporary special use applications and required annual operating documents shall be submitted to the associated Forest Service Office by June 1 of each year.
• Submit ALL other proposals and applications at least 180 days ahead of your intended start of operations.
• All proposals and applications will be date-stamped when received and processed in order of receipt.
• Submit proposals/applications or questions to the associated Forest Service Office listed below.