Special Use Permits FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Permits

Below are some questions permittees often ask when planning their permitted events. If you have further planning questions, try the Frequently Requested Permits page, or ask the park's permit coordinator when submitting the permit application and application fee. 

What are Permits?

Permits are written authorization to conduct an activity on land administered by the National Park Service with conditions for using the park that take into consideration safety, resource protection, and normal park visitation.

Why are Permits Required?

At times, the National Park Service requires permits for activities to make sure these activities do not cause unacceptable impacts to a park's natural and cultural resources or unduly interfere with park visitors' access and enjoyment. Permits are generally required by regulation for activities that are organized, not considered part of the regular visitation or intended use of a site, or need to be regulated for any number of reasons.

What Costs are Associated with a Permit?

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $100.00 must accompany all permit applications. Application fees and cost recovery fees will only be waived on a case by case basis in accordance with National Park Service policy.

Location Fees

Filming and Photography permits require location fees due to their size and impact on the resource and visitor access to the site. The cost schedule for these permits can be seen by following their links.

Additional Fees and Cost Recovery

Permittees may be responsible for payment of additional administrative costs and other management cost associated with the activity, including, but not limited to, administrative time spent writing the permit, monitoring the activity, time granting access to the site, etc. A use fee may also be required to cover utility or other costs for special use of park buildings or other facilities. An estimate of any additional cost will be provided to the applicant prior to the activity as part of the permit.

Permittees will be billed for any direct costs incurred by the National Park Service because of the event. Staff time for park employees should be budgeted at approximately $50.00 per ranger per hour, but actual costs will be billed after the event. The number of rangers assigned to monitor permitted activities is at the discretion of the Superintendent. Any additional fees will be based on resource damage or NPS staff involvement in the event.

Federal procedures (31 USC7701) require your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number on the back of all checks accepted for deposit in the amount of $50 or more. You must supply one or the other in order for your check to be accepted and your application to be processed.

How do I Apply for a Permit?

1. If you are interested in applying for a Special Park Use Permit, you MUST fill out the Special Use Permit application. If applying for a commercial filming or still photography permit, please use the Filming/Photography Application.
2. Once a permit application has been completed, e-mail your application to the permitting office: [e-mail]
3. All applications will have a non-refundable $100 application fee associated with them. Payments can be made via credit card or check. CREDIT CARDS ARE PREFERRED. Please include how you intend to pay for your permit fees in your application e-mail.
4. Once an application has been submitted and the application fee has been paid, the permits coordinator will review your application with the park management team to determine whether your permit application will be approved. Please allow at least six weeks for special use permit processing.

How long does it take to get a Permit?

Permits require time to process payments, review with the park management team, and write to the specifics of each event. Because of this, permits take about six weeks to process. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the event.

Where can I park for my event?

The park has limited parking available on site. While some permits are small enough that the park can handle the additional vehicles without concern, some permits with a large crowd size might take up too much parking to allow the permit to happen without impacting public visitation to the park.

Make sure when applying for a permit to provide as accurate a count as possible for vehicles looking to park on site so the park can determine if the permittee will be required to find alternative parking options.

Will I need insurance for my event?

For most special event permits, a certificate of liability insurance will be required. Proof of insurance is required, and documentation must carry a commercial liability (minimum of $1,000,000) issued by a U.S. company. Insurance certificate must identify the production company by name and business address. "The United States" will be named as "additional insured" on the insurance certificate.

The Certificate Holder is to be listed as:

National Park Service, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, 2400 East Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230.

Where in the park can I have my permit?

Park Hours

• Fort McHenry NM&HS is closed to the public outside of its normal business hours. Any request to have a special use of the park outside of the park hours will require a permit. Make sure to check the park's hours of operation before planning your event.
• Permits occuring on site outside of the park hours will only receive approval IF the park has staff available to work outside the the park's hours of operation. There is no guarantee that staff will be available outside of these hours.

Available Dates

• Special park use permits may not interfere with regular park operations. If a permit request conflicts with events occuring within the park, it may be denied. Make sure to check the park's calendar before requesting permitting dates.

What will the park provide for a permit?

Equipment

• The National Park Service will not provide any equipment for a permitted event. All equipment that a permittee believes they will need must be provided by the permittee. This includes chairs, tents, podiums, tables, etc.
• All equipment that plans to be set up for a permit should be specifically listed in the permit application.

Electricity

• The National Park Service will not provide electricity for a permitted event. Due to the difficulty of providing electricity to all areas of the park and the innability to measure the impact that permittees have on the park's power supply, permittees may not use the park's electricity for their permitted events.
• Permits that will require a source of electricity should plan on using generators as part of their equipment plan.

Staffing

• The National Park Service will not provide staffing for a permitted event. Any park staff present for the permit are there to monitor the permit to ensure that all conditions of the permit are being met. Any staffing required for the permit (race monitors, set-up and tear-down labor, cleanup crews, etc.) should be provided by the permittee.
• In the event of large sacle permitted events, park staff may need to direct traffic and provide other safety measures.
• All park staff involved in monitoring and providing safety operations for permits will be paid for by permittees through cost recovery (see above).