Event/Commercial Permits

What types of special use / event permits are there?

• Non-commercial group use. This is an activity that involves 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators, where an entry or participation fee is not charged, and the primary purpose is not the sale of a goods or service. Examples include weddings, family reunions, church services, camping trips, hikes, and music festivals.
• Commercial recreation events, regardless of the number of participants. Examples include dogsled, bicycle, motocross, or triathlon type races, jeep rallies, fishing contests, adventure games, youth treks, and concerts.
• Filming and commercial photography. All filming projects and photography where the photos are sold.
• Outfitting and guiding. This includes spotting vehicles, transporting persons, and providing equipment, supplies and services.
• Utility rebuilds. Examples include realignment or reconstruction of existing authorized utilities, substantial line clearing.
• Research permits.
• Continued permitted uses of an expiring special use permit.

How long does it take to get a permit?

Most permits require at least 90 days to be processed, sometimes more depending on how complex the permit is.

Applicants for special-use permits should note that the permitting process can, depending on the request, be time-consuming. It may require analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, and still ultimately may not be approved.

The Forest Service will evaluate special-use applications to see if they are in the public interest. At a minimum, these proposals should be

• Consistent with Forest Plan management area objectives, standards, and desired future conditions
• Consistent with other applicable Federal, State, and local statutes and regulations
• Not be undertaken on national forest land if they can be reasonably accommodated on private land.

What do I need to provide?

Please contact your local Forest Service office for an application. You will need to provide a

• proposed use,
• timeframe,
• a map of the location,
• and reason why the use cannot be accommodated on private lands.

People with multi-year permits must submit an annual operating plan, insurance, etc. by the date specified in their permit.