Special Use Permits

Non-commercial group use permits are for an activity:

1. That involves 75 or more people including spectators,
2. Where an entry or participation fee is not charged, and
3. Where the primary purpose is not the sale of a good or service. (Refer to the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 251.51).)

Examples include weddings, family reunions, or other large group gatherings.

Whether your gathering requires a permit or not, remember:

• Access for the general public to sites, trails, and/or roads must be maintained (no area may be closed or cordoned off).  
• Wedding ceremonies may not be officiated by individuals who are paid for their services; this is a commercial service widely available off of National Forest System land.
• No vendors or food trucks or carts are allowed.
• No excessive noise or public address systems near a campsite, developed recreation site or over an adjacent body of water.
• Throwing objects, including rice, birdseed, confetti, or lanterns or the release of helium balloons is prohibited.  
• Decorations such as crepe paper and balloons are prohibited.
• All litter must be disposed of properly.
• Expect to have contact with members of the recreating public during your gathering, especially at popular sites.
• Plan your event early or late in the day at developed sites to avoid peak visitation and congestion times (before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m., April through September). 

Organization camps, unlike a private club, provide services to youth in particular. Examples include Boy/Girl Scouts or other Summer Camps.

Proposals should be submitted on the SF-299 during the annual open season: January 1 through March 1. 

Includes existing ski areas, resorts, government-owned lodging and campground operators.

Proposals should be submitted on the SF-299 during the annual open season: January 1 through March 1. 

Recreation events on national forest lands require a temporary special use permit for almost any kind of outdoor activity where participants exchange money or pay a fee to participate. Examples of recreation events include: Nordic ski races; sled dog races; snowmobile events and races; running/skiing endurance races; bike races; private club outings; archery competitions; commercial sports equipment try-outs; wagon trains, etc.

(Where no money exchanges hands and more than 75 individuals are involved, the event is classified as non-commercial group use. A simple permit is available free of charge for such events. Examples of non-commercial group uses include weddings, family gatherings or political rallies.)

Proposal Process and Forms

The Mt. Hood National Forest recreation events permitting process was developed to support and expedite recreation event evaluation and authorization in a timely manner while still protecting the nation’s natural and social resources. 

Proposals for all recreation events at Mt. Hood National Forest that are proposed to occur the following year should be submitted on the FS-2700-3c during the annual open season: September 1 to November 1. 

Submitted applications will be evaluated for compliance with recreation event standards. Proposals that are in compliance with standards are likely to be authorized, however that decision could be affected by funding and staffing levels.

Selection Criteria

All special use proposals must first be screened using criteria required in 36 CFR 251.54. Recreation event proposals that pass those criteria are then evaluated using additional Forest-level screening criteria. The applicant will be notified if the proposal does not meet screening criteria. 

Mt. Hood National Forest has several existing communication sites that provide communication, radio, and cell coverage for the public and emergency service/first responders. 

More information is located on the Forest Service national website.

Research special uses requirements include site surveys and testing, resource surveys, research studies, and weather stations and similar monitoring facilities. Some surveys are incidental and may not need a permit.

Linear Rights-of-Way includes powerlines, telephone lines, fiber optic lines, water transmission lines, irrigation ditches and roads.

Annual fees for these uses are calculated at 5% of the land value determined by the National Agricultural Statistic Service's (NASS) Census of Agriculture, which is published every 5 years.

Other lands permits include (but aren't limited to):

• Apiaries
• Sewer transmission
• Service buildings
• Stockpile sites
• Storage yards
• Signs
• Stream-gauging stations
• Dams
• Hydroelectric
• Tribal use
• Parking lots
• Water systems

Forms Required & Proposal Timeframes

If you have any questions about what permit you need, please contact our special uses team.

1. Q: How long does it take to get a proposal processed?
   A: This can vary from 72 hours to well over a year. Your proposal will be screened within 60 days (non-commercial group use and filming is shorter). The processing time after screening varies with the complexity of the proposal and type of use. Here are some examples of timelines:
   • Non-commercial group use permit can be processed in 3 business days, if needed. However, having more lead time is better since we have a high volume of permit requests.
   • Film permits take two weeks for simple proposals. A recent major motion picture took about 6-8 weeks before the permit sideboards were clear and a permit could be issued.
   • Applications to renew existing utility permits take six to nine months.
   • A proposal for a new communication tower in a highly visited recreation area took just over a year to process.
      
2. Q: Can I modify my existing special use permit?
   A: All project proposals should be submitted for review during a period called “Open Season,” which varies depending on the type of permit:
   • Lands: January 1 – March 1
   • Outfitters/Guides: September 1 –  November 1
   • Recreation Events: September 1 –  November 1
   • Recreation Residences: August 15 – November 15
      
3. Q: What is the process to get a permit?
   A: For non-commercial group use, there is a shorter process. For organization camps, the environmental review process has a different process. Contact one of our permit administrators for more information.
    
4. Q: Our company has an existing permit that we have a proposed project for. Is the process the same?
   A: Proposals involving existing uses are immediately accepted as applications upon submission. These proposals should still be submitted during the appropriate open season. In reviewing the application the authorized officer will consider:
   • Whether the proposed use would conform to the applicable Forest land and resource management plan;
   • Whether the area requested is still being used for the purposes for which it is or was authorized;
   • Whether the holder is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the authorization, and;
   • Whether the holder has the technical and financial capability to continue to undertake the use and to fully comply with the terms and conditions of the authorization.
      
5. Q: What are the fees to apply for a permit?
   A: There is no fee to have your proposal go through the first level of screening by the Forest Service. If your proposal is accepted, then processing and monitoring follows the following procedures:
   • Processing - All non-recreation proposals have a processing fee once accepted which covers the environmental review and permit preparation. This will vary from $115 to thousands of dollars depending on the complexity of the proposal. Recreation uses only have processing fees if the work for the government to process the proposal is 50 hours or more of staff work.
   • Monitoring - If a proposal is approved and the project requires government oversight beyond routine permit inspection, such as construction of a new facility, the proponent will be required to pay a monitoring fee. This will vary from $115 to thousands of dollars depending on the complexity of the proposal. Like with processing, recreation uses only have monitoring fees if the work for the government to monitor the project is 50 hours or more of staff work.
     
     There are a few exceptions to these cost recovery fees, such as non-commercial group use.
      
6. Q: I am looking at buying a business (i.e., resort, utility, etc.) that has a permit to operate on the Mt. Hood National Forest. How would I get the permit for this use to continue under my business name?
   A: Ask the current permit holder who their Forest Service permit administrator is and contact that person. The process starts by you and the current permit holder completing and submitting a form called “Holder Initiated Revocation of Existing Authorization” which is FS-2700-3a found on the Forms Table. You will need to show financial and technical ability to operate the business. You would also need to provide a bill of sale document.
    
7. Q: Where can I find a copy of the regulations that direct the Forest Service regarding Special Uses?
   A: Please visit the Forest Service Regulations &  Directives page.
    
8. Q: Where can I find out more about land use guidelines on the Mt. Hood National Forest?
   A: Please visit the Mt. Hood National Forest Planning page.