Commercial Use Authorizations

 

What is a CUA?

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.

A CUA may be 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. 

 

Services that require CUAs in Rock Creek Park:

• 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 (yoga, instructional bicycling, instructional skating)
• Educational Activities (road-based vehicle tours in the park, non-instructional photography tours, and acting as a step-on guide)
• Temporary Food and Beverage with a Permitted Event

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.

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.

 

How do I apply for a CUA?

• Apply for a CUA through the CUA Online Application and Reporting System (COARS).
• To view tutorials on how to apply for a CUA using COARS please visit: How to Apply for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Permit.
• NPS is excited to announce the development and deployment of the online CUA system. The system is designed to standardize, modernize, and streamline the CUA application and reporting process. The system allows potential CUA applicants and CUA holders to view available CUA opportunities, apply for CUAs, submit required CUA reports, and pay CUA fees.
• Rock Creek Park will accept applications for CUA’s year-round, but we require up to 30 days to process your CUA application. We review applications in the order they are received.

 

What is the cost for a CUA?

Annual Application Fee:  All activity based CUAs are issued for up to one year. The CUA operating year is from January 1 to December 31. For each application, there is a standard $350 application fee for the first application submitted during a CUA season. That same applicant will pay a $250 application fee for each subsequent application submitted to the same park during the same CUA season. CUA applicants and holders must make all payments for application fees and management fees through the online system.

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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)

Management fees will be submitted at the end of your CUA operating year.

 

What are the CUA reporting requirements?

• CUA holders must submit an annual report via the online CUA system each year by January 31 for the operations that occurred during the preceding year. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts. 
• Failure to submit the required reports or misrepresentation of statistics or earnings may result in the inability to submit subsequent CUA applications via the online CUA system or the suspension of active CUAs.

 

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.