Commerical Use Authorizations

 

About Commercial Use Authorizations

A commercial use authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of Rock Creek Park;
• will have minimal impact on Rock Creek Park’s resources and values; and
• are consistent with Rock Creek Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

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Rock Creek Park issues CUAs for the following authorized commercial activities:

• Water Taxi / Tour boat / Charter Cruises: Loading and unloading of passengers on the Washington Harbour Scenic Easement.
• Guided Tours (Hiking, Bicycling, Wildlife, Photography)
• Fitness Activities
• Educational Activities

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Requirement for CUAs
Fee-based activities are prohibited within Rock Creek Park unless a concessions contract or commercial use authorization (CUA) has been granted under 36 CFR Section 5.3.

A CUA is required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part in Rock Creek Park,
• use park resources, and
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

Businesses and individuals may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the CUA.

You must be in possession of a valid CUA to conduct business in Rock Creek Park.

 

Application Process

To apply for a CUA with Rock Creek Park, download the CUA application and follow the instructions in the document.

Rock Creek Park requires up to 30 days to process your CUA application.
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

The 2024 application period for all CUA activities will be open year round using the current application process. However, to prepare for the park moving to the new online system all 2024 CUAs will expire December 2024.

 

Cost

Annual Application Fee:  Effective December 1, 2023, all CUA activities will be charged a nonrefundable application fee of $100. An invoice for payment will be forwarded to you after your application is received.

Please note, when we move to the new online CUA Application and Reporting System on Dec. 1, 2024 the nonrefundable CUA application fee will be $350.

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Market Price Management Fee: In addition to the application fee, parks are required to collect a reasonable fee to recover the costs associated with administering and managing the CUA program. Rock Creek Park will be moving to a Market Price Management Fee once the new online system goes into effect. Fees are based on the following:

• Market Price Fee (% of gross receipts earned from park-based operations)
  • <$250,000.00 - 3% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
  • $250,000.00 to $500,000.00 - 4% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
  • >$500,000.00 - 5% of gross receipts (minus application fee)

Application and Management fees will be paid via Pay.gov.

 

Contact Us

If you have questions about CUAs, the application process, or the costs, please contact us via email or phone at 202-438-6615.