Special Use Permits
With limited exceptions (listed below), all uses of National Forest System lands, improvements, and resources, require a special use permit, unless the Forest waives that requirement in response to your proposal. This webpage provides information about how to submit a proposal (either for a new permit or for an amendment to an existing permit) and about certain types of uses.
Uses that do not require a special use permit:
- Noncommercial recreational activities, such as camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, and horseback riding.
- Noncommercial activities involving the expression of views, such as assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, and parades (unless the activity involves a group of 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators (“noncommercial group use”)).
- Certain small-scale filming and photography.
- Travel on National Forest System roads (except for the purpose of engaging in a noncommercial group use, outfitting/guiding, recreation events, commercial filming, or still photography as defined by 36 CFR §251.51).
- The sale and disposal of timber and special forest products, such as greens, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.
- Mineral use and development (this, however, may require a mining claim and plan of operation, a mineral lease, or a mineral material purchase).
Common Types of Special Uses
A proportionally high share of proposals received are for certain popular uses. Information is provided below to help you decide whether you would like to pursue a permit in connection with these.
These are temporary events, such as races, runs, rides, and tournaments, and for which an entrance fee is required. Event proponents may be for-profit or not-for-profit organizations, or individuals.
Event proponents will be responsible for organizing, and funding all aspects of the event including safety, communication, parking, signing, garbage clean-up and removal, restroom facilities, accommodating other public use, and any needed restoration. Proof of insurance will be required at least 30 days prior to the event and operating plans at least 60 days prior to the event.
Recreation events will not be approved in Wilderness.
A recreation event permit may approve vendors such as food services or merchandisers. Food service providers must also be licensed by the applicable County, any sale of alcohol must be licensed by the State, and merchandise should be reasonably related to the type of event being held (e.g., running shoes at a running event).
Events that cross County Roads and State Highways require separate approvals from the County or State, and have special signing requirements (for the protection of motorists and event participants). Events held on the water require approval from the Oregon State Marine Board.
A post-use report must be submitted within 30 days of each event and must include the number of participants, number of spectators, gross revenue, and cost of awards or prizes.
The land use fee is 5% of adjusted gross revenue for one-time events and 3% for multiple events under one permit (adjusted gross revenue is the gross revenue less the cost to the permittee of prizes awarded). A minimum fee (currently less than $150.00, and deducted from the land use fee) must be paid prior to the event.
Recreation residences are privately-owned cabins on National Forest lands. They are maintained by the occupant for personal, family, and guest enjoyment, but are not approved for commercial use or permanent residence.
Special use permits for recreation residences may only be issued to individuals, married couples, or the trustee of an approved family trust. Only one permit may be issued to a single family (spouses and dependent children).
No new recreation residence tracts are being created, and all approved lots are already under permit. For these reasons, the only way to become a recreation resident is to purchase an existing recreation residence from the current owner. Owners typically advertise the availability of recreation residences through local realtors.
Permits are nontransferable. If you have purchased a recreation residence you must provide a copy of the executed purchase document with your request for a new permit.
The land use fee is determined by the location of the cabin and is, therefore, variable across the Forest. Fees are also indexed each year. If interested in becoming a recreation resident, you should speak to the current owner regarding their latest land use bill. Additionally, the recreation residence itself is subject to County taxation.
Outfitting is the commercial provision of saddle or pack animals, vehicles, boats, camping gear, or similar supplies or equipment. Guiding is the commercial provision of services such as supervision, protection, education, training, packing, touring, subsistence, transportation, or interpretation, to individuals or groups.
In addition to a completed application form, a detailed business plan should be submitted, which should include background, proposed services, proposed locations and season of use, equipment to be provided, transportation to be provided, proposed fees, evaluation of public need for this service, and a comparison with any similar existing services already under a special use permit.
A flat fee is charged for temporary outfitting/guiding permits (based on the amount of use). The land use fee for longer-term permits is generally 3% of adjusted gross revenue (gross revenue less the cost of certain licenses and the sale of certain operating equipment), with an estimated land use fee charged prior to operations each year.
In addition to a special use permit, businesses in Oregon must hold a licenses from the State of Oregon.
Most filming, photography, and audio recording on the Willamette National Forest does not require a permit.
No permit is required if the activity is incidental to or documenting an allowed activity or event (such as a family reunion or authorized recreation event).
Additionally, no permit is needed for groups of five or fewer using handheld equipment in public areas, provided the activity does not require exclusive use, cause resource damage, or result in additional administrative costs.
Permits are required according to a project’s potential effects and unique requirements, rather than its commercial or noncommercial status.
To learn if you may need a permit please review the Forest Service Filming and Photography Guidelines.
References:
- United States Code: USC 460l-6d: Filming and Still Photography
- Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (PDF, 389 KB)
Preparing a proposal:
Please describe in your proposal the proposed location including a map, any anticipated ground disturbing activities, and include storyboards and photos. Please also provide operational dates and times, a list of all vehicles, equipment, props, and chemicals that will be used, and the number of people to be involved in set-up, photography/filming, breakdown, and restoration.
Land use fees depend on the intensity of the use and can be discussed with your special use administrator.
The Forest has changed its research application submittal process. Research applications should be submitted to SM.FS.R6WillSpecUse@usda.gov.
How To Prepare And Submit a Proposal
Most proposals (including proposals to amend an existing permit) should be submitted on Standard Form 299 (SF-299). Exceptions that have their own forms are:
- Archaeological proposals
- Recreation event proposals
- Noncommercial group use proposals
- Proposals to issue a new recreation residence permit, when a recreation residence is being sold or transferred
- Temporary (one year or less) outfitting/guiding proposals. Longer-term proposals should use the SF-299 and include a detailed business plan.
Please fill out the form as completely as possible.
Most application forms require supporting documents, so please read the form carefully (an incomplete proposal can delay processing or result in us returning the proposal).
A map is a required supporting document in virtually all cases. The Forest Service Interactive Visitor Map may be used to create one for your proposal. (Note: Once you have created an electronic map using the "Create GEO PDF" function in the Tools menu, and have clicked on the map under Results, you will have an opportunity to mark up that map).
If you are a government agency, utility, or telecommunications provider, you may submit a map, but need not do so. You must, however, submit a geographic information system (GIS) geodatabase.
Mapping your proposal will also help you determine which Ranger District your proposed use is on. Knowing this is important in connection with emailing us your proposal (addressed further in “Where To Submit Your Proposal”).
Uses involving the provision of goods or services to the public require liability insurance. Certain other uses also require insurance depending on the possibility and likely severity of injury.
Where liability insurance is required, the name of the insured must be identical to the name of the person or entity to whom the special use permit would be issued.
If submitting your proposal electronically, it must be submitted to the Willamette National Forest’s special uses electronic mailbox at SM.FS.R6WillSpecUse@usda.gov. Electronically submitted proposals sent to other email addresses will not be accepted. This email address is only for the submission of special uses proposals - comments, inquiries, or non-special uses proposals will not receive a response.
Naming Conventions
Special use permit proposals must be labeled as YYYYMMDD-YourName-DistrictOrForestAbbreviation. Click image to enlarge.
If submitting a proposal electronically, please adhere to the following naming conventions in the subject line of your email:
YYYYMMDD YourName DistrictOrForestAbbreviation (please click explanatory text and image)
Date: The date must be written out as the year, the month, and then the day.
Name: Either your last name or your business name (if submitting a proposal on behalf of a business)
District or Forest Abbreviation: Please use the Interactive Visitor Map to determine which Ranger District your proposal is on. Click your cursor at the location of your application, then use the left or right arrow button in the popup box to find the Ranger District. Abbreviate the district as following:
- Detroit Ranger District: DET
- Sweet Home Ranger District: SWT
- McKenzie River Ranger District: MKZ
- Middle Fork Ranger District: MIF
If your proposal crosses District boundaries, please put WIL for Willamette.
As an example if Ms. Smith were to submit a proposal on July 4, 2026, for a use on the McKenzie River Ranger District, the subject line of her email should be “20260704 Smith MKZ.”
Most proposals can be submitted at any time. Exceptions are:
| Type of Proposal | Window for Submitting Proposal |
|---|---|
| Outfitting/guiding | These must be submitted between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1 for outfitting/guiding to occur from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 of the following year. |
| Recreation events | These must be submitted between Oct.1 and Dec. 1 for recreation events to occur from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 of the following year. |
| Recreation residences | Proposals for major modifications must be submitted no later than Dec. 31 for work to occur the following year. Major modifications are defined as any ground disturbing activity, new construction, or alteration to the existing recreation residence or outbuildings that changes the appearance and/or size of the structure. |
Processing time can vary depending on the type and complexity of your proposal. The following are estimated timelines:
Permit Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Filming and photography | We try to process these within 30 days of submittal. |
| Outfitting/guiding and recreation events | We try to process these such that the use can occur between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of the year following their submittal. |
| Telecommunications uses | Within 270 days of the proposal having been accepted for processing. |
| Recreation residences | We try to process proposals for major modifications in time for work to occur in the year following their submittal. |
| All other uses | Because of the substantial variation in types and complexities, these can only be addressed on a case-by-case basis. |
Processing, monitoring, and land use fees may be applicable.
- Processing and/or monitoring fees apply to non-recreation applications when it takes over 1 hour to either process the application or monitor the use.
- Processing and/or monitoring fees apply to recreation applications only when it takes over 50 hours to either process the application or monitor the use.
- Most special use permits have an associated land use fee. Many different types of fee calculations might apply, depending on the type of use. Both this and the extent of the use determines the land use fee.
Exceptions exist for certain applicants and certain types of uses. No fees are due upon the submittal of a proposal; after we receive your proposal a special uses administrator will contact you to discuss fees and other matters pertaining to your proposal.
Questions and Additional Information
For questions, please contact us:
- Detroit Ranger District: (503) 854-3366
- Sweet Home Ranger District: (541) 367-5168
- McKenzie River Ranger District: (541) 822-3381
- Middle Fork Ranger District: (541) 782-2283
For a Forest-wide application please contact our Supervisor’s Office: (541) 225-6300