Applications
Commercial Use Authorization Application
Temporary Food Establishment Application
(Pay.gov) Credit Card Payment- Application Fee
Certificate of Liability Insurance Example
CUA Annual Report Survey
Visitor Risk Acknowledgement
A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a permit provided by Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area's Office of Special Park Uses for suitable commercial services for park visitors within the boundaries of the park. A suitable commercial service must meet three conditions: the services (a) will have minimal impact on the park area’s resources and values; (b) are consistent with the purposes for which the park area was established; and (c) are consistent with all applicable park area management plans, policies and regulations.
Approved Commercial Service Types for Commercial Use Authorizations
As of April 2022
- Aerial Scattering of Ashes
- Bicycle Tours
- Dog Walking Services
- Fitness Classes
- Guided Day Hikes
- Guided Horseback Riding
- Meetup Groups (gatherings of larger than 25 people or 10 vehicles)
- Food Service Vendors for Events
- Merchandise Vendor for Events
- Photography and Arts Workshops
General Requirements
- All CUA holders are required to submit an Annual Report Survey upon expiration date. In order to apply for a new year, a completed survey must be submitted.
- CUA requirements based on service type.
- Activities must be appropriate to the mission of the National Park Service, particularly with regard to resource protection, visitor protection and interpretation.
- All commercial aspects of the business must take place outside of the recreation area, including all advertisement, soliciting business and negotiation or acceptance of any form of compensation.
- Only the actual visitor service being provided may occur within the recreation area.
- No temporary or permanent structures will be erected within the recreation area. No areas or structures will be exclusively assigned to the permittee.
- The permittee must maintain appropriate and adequate commercial liability insurance, applicable business and specialty licenses and adhere to park regulations for the specific visitor service provided.
Application Process
Follow the directions found in the application form, then scan the completed form and e-mail to the permits office. Or mail the completed form to the park headquarters address found at the bottom of the page. Forms will be accepted via U.S. mail or email once confirmation of payment is received. Photographed documents are not accepted.
Payment Information
A non-refundable application fee of $175.00 must be submitted online through Pay.gov in order to secure a date on the permit calendar. The permit office accepts payment by credit card only and cannot accept personal or business checks or paypal. Please contact the permit office before making payment on Pay.Gov. A certificate of liability insurance of $500,000 naming the United States of America / National Park Service as the additionally issued is required for all National Park Service commercial use authorizations. However, some activities with increased risk potential (horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, guided hikes, etc.) may require increased coverage. This fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied, so please contact the office prior to sending in paperwork.
Submitting an application with the fee does not guarantee your activity or the date requested will be approved. Applications are accepted up to one year in advance. We will let you know within 4 business days that we have received your application, but approval or denial of your activity can range from days to weeks.
Beginning January 1, 2023, our CUA program will reflect a new Market Management Fee structure. This does not apply to 12-month CUA's authorized to begin in 2021 and 2022.
The Standard NPS market price and gross receipts model will be used. A Market Price Management Fee will be charged based upon a percentage of the annual gross receipts (see table below) earned from business conducted in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO).
| <$250,000 |
3% of gross receipts (minus application fee) |
| $250,000 to $500,000 |
4% of gross receipts (minus application fee) |
| >$500,000 |
5% of gross receipts (minus application fee) |
As in the past, the application fee of $175 will be collected when the application is submitted. The Market Price Management Fee will be assessed and collected at the end of the season based on the mandatory CUA Annual Report (0MB 10-660). This fee will be paid via pay.gov. The new fee structure will apply to all new CUAs authorized to begin on or after January 1, 2023. The application fee and the Market Price Management Fee, as shown in the table above, will be charged.
Example 1:
CUA Holder is issued a 12 month CUA that reports annual gross receipts of $169,000. In this example, the NPS will charge 3% of the $169,000 of gross receipts.
$169,000 X 3% = $5,070 (Market Management Fee) - $175 (Application Fee) = $4,895 (Total Owed to NPS)
Example 2:
CUA Holder is issued a 12 month CUA that reports annual gross receipts of $363,000. In this example, the NPS will charge 3% of the first $250,000 of gross receipts, and 4% for the remaining $113,000.
$250,000 X 3% = $7,500 + $113,000 X 4% = $4,520 (Market Management Fee) - $175 (Application Fee) = $11,845 (Total Owed to NPS)
Example 3:
CUA Holder is issued a 12 month CUA that reports annual gross receipts of $505,000. In this example, the NPS will charge 3% of the first $250,000 of gross receipts, 4% for the next $250,000, and 5% for the remaining $5,000.
$250,000 X 3% = $7,500 + 250,000 X 4% = $10,000 + $5,000 X 5% = $250 (Market Management Fee) - $175 (Application Fee) = $17,575 (Total Owed to NPS)
Example 4:
If the calculated Market Management Fee is less than the application fee, the CUA holder will incur no additional fees. NPS will retain the application fee.
CUA holder is issued a 12 month CUA that reports annual gross receipts of $3,000.
$3,000 X 3% = $90 (Market Management Fee). Because this amount is less than the $175 application fee, no additional fees are due.
The AGR reported on the CUA Annual Report should only reflect the income your business receives from conducting business on NPS property.
Failure to submit the CUA Annual Report or pay the Market Price Management Fee at the end of the reporting period could result in CUA suspension and revocation.
What if I conduct business without a CUA?
Operating any type of commercial visitor service on federally administered lands within Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area without written authorization from the United States is a violation of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. It is a citable offense. If you are in doubt, please contact the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Office of Special Park Use either by mail, telephone, email or in person.
Wondering what properties are administered by the National Park Service? Check out our map of the entire Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. We do not manage business opportunities for California State Parks, Mountains Restoration Conservation Authority (MRCA), local parks or other lands not administered by the National Park Service, within the Recreation Area. For all other areas, you must contact the appropriate land managers.
Link back to Special Park Uses Homepage.
Contact Us
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Office of Special Park Uses
1 Baxter Way Suite 180 Westlake Village, CA 91362
(805) 370-2308
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