Filming and Photography

Permit Requirements

Filming, Still Photography or Audio Recording

In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:

• Occurs in areas open to the public;

• Uses hand-carried equipment only;

• Does not require exclusive use of a site;

• Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and

• Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the NPS.

Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.

All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.

When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
The National Park Service uses the following location fee schedules:

• 1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day
• 1–10 people - $150/day
• 11–30 people - $250/day
• 31–49 people - $500/day
• Over 50 people - $750/day

Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.

Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or camping fees that apply even when a permit is not required.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a still photography or film permit for a wedding?

The party getting married or conducting a ceremony must have a Special Use Permit. The photographer or videographer does not need a separate permit.

Am I able to fly a drone within Lava Beds National Monument?

Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Lava Beds National Monument is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent.

The term “unmanned aircraft” means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device, and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors, communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g., model airplanes, quadcopters, and drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce.

If I’m a social media influencer, do I need a permit? 

If your filming meets the following requirements you will not need a permit. 

• Occurs in areas open to the public;

• Uses hand-carried equipment only;

• Does not require exclusive use of a site;

• Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and

• Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the NPS.

 

Before Applying

How far in Advance to apply for a permit?

Once a complete application is submitted it will be process in a timely manner. Larger filming requests that include multiple locations do take longer for us review, so we recommend getting them submitted as early as you can.

An application will not be considered complete without dates, times, locations, and equipment. We encourage you to attach, maps, diagrams, script pages, vehicle and equipment lists, call sheet, itineraries, shot list, etc. with your application to assist park staff in evaluating your request.

If your application is missing these details, or if they change during the application process, a new application must be submitted, and the review process will restart. 

Prohibited Activities

When conducting Special Use Activities in Lava Beds National Monument with a permit, you are subject to all the laws and regulations that apply inside the park.

Please read all regulations carefully as your permit application may be denied if it contains any of the activities below.

The following activities are not permitted:

• Nudity in public areas.
• Smoking inside buildings, in caves, and in vegetated areas.
• Loud noises (exceeding 60 decibels at 50 feet in distance).
• Use of public address systems and sound amplification equipment unless otherwise specified in your permit.
• Driving any vehicle (including motorcycles and bicycles) off designated paved or dirt roads.
• Driving any off-road vehicle on a park road (including, but not limited to, OHV’s, ATV’s, dirt bikes, golf cards, Rhino or Polaris multiple passenger vehicles).
• Operating a motor vehicle in a manner that causes unreasonable damage to the surface of a park road or route.
• Operating a vehicle so slowly as to interfere with the normal flow of traffic is prohibited.
• Stunt or high-speed driving.
• Standing in a roadway as part of a film or photography shoot unless otherwise specified in your permit with approved traffic control.
• Removing, moving, or obscuring park road signs, speed limit signs, or wayside signs.
• Ground disturbance (including digging or driving posts and installing temporary signs or structures).
• Attaching props, equipment, signs, or banners to NPS facilities, structures, rocks, or vegetation.
• Contributing to erosion or otherwise unduly disturbing the ground or landscape, including running, walking, or other activity on fragile areas.
• Collecting, moving, damaging, or otherwise disturbing any animal, plant, rock or any other natural, historical, or archeological resource.
• Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing any archaeological or cultural resource (including all mine structures, features, and ruins).
• Cutting or removal of branches or any vegetation.
• Feeding, touching, harassing, frightening, hunting, trapping, or disturbing wildlife.
• Viewing wildlife with artificial light (including infrared and black lights).
• Introducing wildlife, fish or plants, including their reproductive bodies, into the park’s ecosystem.
• Using a mineral or metal detector.
• Releasing Mylar or helium balloons, doves, butterflies, flower petals, or other living objects.
• Filming or photographing park employees unless otherwise specified in your permit.
• Brandishing or discharging a firearm, real or prop, unless use of a firearm prop has been specifically authorized in your permit.
• Unduly interfering or conflicting with visitors’ normal use and enjoyment of the park, including blocking visitor access to an area.

You must also comply with the following:

• Fire safety regulations and temporary closures resulting from fire conditions.
• Speed limits and traffic laws.
• Leave No Trace principles and ethics.
• Regulations for pets in the park including leash requirements and location restrictions.
• Park policies and principles related to ethical and responsible treatment of culturally sensitive sites and resources.

Monitor Requirements

Many permits require full-time or intermittent monitoring for the protection of resources and visitor experience. This will be determined by the Special Park Uses Coordinator based on your application.

If monitors are required, your permit will only be issued subject to availability of monitors on the dates and at the locations requested.

See below for fees associated with monitoring.

 

Applying for a Permit

Step 1: Application

1. Download NPS Form 10-930 Application for Special Use Permit and fill it out completely.

• Once a complete application is submitted it will be process in a timely manner. Larger filming requests that include multiple locations do take longer for us review, so we recommend getting them submitted as early as you can.
• An application will not be considered complete without dates, times, locations, and equipment. We encourage you to attach, maps, diagrams, script pages, vehicle and equipment lists, call sheet, itineraries, shot list, etc. with your application to assist park staff in evaluating your request.
• If your application is missing these details, or if they change during the application process, a new application must be submitted, and the review process will restart. 

2. Email [e-mail] the complete permit application as a single PDF file. Photos, links to shared drives, or pages as multiple PDFs may not be accepted.

Step 2: Application Fee

1. After the Special Use Coordinator receives your application via email, we will reply with information for payment of the application fee. This is the fee to process your application and is non-refundable, even if a permit is not issued or you choose to cancel your application. This application fee must be paid within five (5) business days in order to move forward with the permit process.

• First amendment – no application fee
• All other activities – $50 application fee

2. After the Special Use Coordinator receives your payment, we will review your application materials and determine if a permit can be issued.

Step 3: Insurance

After reviewing your application, we will send you information on insurance requirements for your specific request. However, generally, the following is true:

• First amendment permits – no insurance required.
• Wedding permits – most do not require insurance.
• Photography, filming, sporting event, special event, large group – most require the following:

1. A Certificate of General Liability Insurance (COI) in the amount of $1,000,000 listing the ‘United States of America’ as additional insured. The COI must be in English and in US funds.

If your insurance company requires an address for ‘United States of America’, they can list the additional insured as:

United States of America Lava Beds National Monument PO Box 1240 Tulelake CA, 96134

Step 4: Cost of Recovery Payment

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the National Park Service may recover all costs of providing necessary services associated with special use permits (54 U.S. Code § 103104). This amount will vary depending on the size and complexity of your permit but an estimate will be provided to you beforehand and will be included in your signed permit.

Prior to issuing the permit, the Special Use Permit Coordinator will send information on paying the remaining costs, if applicable.

The following may apply:

1. Hourly fee: approximately $50/hour. The exact hourly fee is based on the specific employee’s salary and may be charged if any of the following activities are required for your permit:

• Monitoring: Many permits require full-time or intermittent monitoring for the protection of resources and visitor experience, and to ensure full compliance with all conditions of the permit. The level and type of monitoring will be determined by the Special Use Coordinator based on your application. Generally, one monitor is required for every 8 people involved with the project or if there is a public use limitation. If monitors are required, your permit will only be issued subject to availability of monitors on the dates and at the locations requested.
• Interviews: All interviews and filming or photographing of NPS staff members will be assessed at the specific employee’s hourly rate.
• Scouting: If a permittee requests a scouting trip with or by the Special Park Uses Coordinator, staff time will be assessed.
• Extended administrative time: Any activity that is particularly complex is subject to the hourly fee. This fee covers additional administrative time needed beyond the maximum two hours covered by the $50.00 application. This rate does not preclude any of the other fees and is applied per hour/per staff member.

2. Government Vehicle Mileage Fee: $0.55/mile. We currently charge $.55/mile on government vehicles used for monitoring and other activities associated with your permit.

Step 5: Issuing the Permit

If your activity is approved, and all insurance and cost of recovery payments are paid, etc., a permit containing applicable terms and conditions will be sent you. The permit must be signed by the responsible person and returned to the park for final signature by the Park Superintendent. A fully executed permit containing both signatures is required before the permitted activity may begin.

Please have a hard copy or downloaded digital copy of the entire document with you while you are in the park. It is your responsibility to have read and follow all of the conditions listed in your permit.

 

Didn't find the answers to your question here? Contact the Office of Special Park Uses at [e-mail] or call 530-667-8111 for more information.