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Event/Commercial Permits
Permits may be required for certain activities, such as large group gatherings, educational activities, film-making or outfitting and guiding services.
A special use permit is a legal document that allows occupancy, use, rights, or privileges of National Forest System lands. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time.
Open Season Dates for Recreation Events & Outfitter Guide proposals:
Spring/Summer use proposal types: Oct. 1 – Nov. 31
Fall/Winter use proposal types: Feb. 15 – April 15
Activities that require a Special Use Permit include:
- Non Commercial Group Use & Weddings
- Commercial Still Photography and Filming
- Recreation Events
- Outfitting and Guiding Services
- Recreation Residences
- Linear Right-of-Ways
- Communications Sites
- Research
Special Use Permit Questions and Answers
Please select from the following options to learn more.
- 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.
- If an activity on NFS land involves individuals or an organization with 75 or more participants or spectators.
- If there is a fee being charged or if income is derived from the use.
Contact your district permit administrator to discuss if your proposal would require a permit.
Contact the appropriate Special Uses Staff by District to discuss your proposal and required paperwork.
- Most proposals (power lines, communication towers, etc.): SF-299 & Supplement (.doc)
- Still or video/motion photography: Film Request Form (.pdf)
- Non-commercial group use: FS-2700-3b (.docx)
- Recreation event: FS-2700-3c (.docx)
- Outfitter/Guides: Refer to the Outfitting and Guide Services page
- Still or video/motion photography: Processing times can vary, please contact your district permit administrator for a more accurate timeline.
- Non-commercial group use: Year-round, a minimum of 72 hours prior to event.
- Recreation events: Visit the Recreation Events Permits page for information.
- Outfitter and Guides: Visit the Outfitting and Guiding Services page.
Initially, a proposal is evaluated against first and second level screening criteria contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 251.54). This is the basic criteria used to review proposals and applies to all proposals except non-commercial group use. Non-commercial group use proposals are evaluated under different criteria.
Only after a proposal has passed the above criteria will it be considered eligible for issuance of a special use permit.
Cost Recovery Fees: An assessment of fees to recover agency processing costs for special use applications and monitoring costs for special use authorizations. These fees are separate from any fees charged for the use and occupancy of NFS lands.
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.
Yes. Please read about the importance of insurance requirements and how to prepare the Certificate of Insurance.
Contacts
View a list of Special Use Permit Coordinators by district.