Special Use Permits

Activities That May Require a Special Use Permit

Commercial Filming

When is a permit required?

All commercial filming* requires a permit.

*Commercial filming means the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income. Examples include, but are not limited to, feature film, videography, television broadcast, or documentary, or other similar projects. Commercial filming activities may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props (43 CFR 5.12). 

Additional Requirements and Costs:

1. Insurance: depending on the complexity of your activity, commercial general liability may be required.
2. Location Fees: In addition to the standard cost recovery the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a location fee for commercial filming, still photography and audio recording permits to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands under the following schedule:

1-2 people (handheld cameras and tripods only): $0/day
1-10 people: $150/day
11-30 people: $250/day
31-50 people: $500/day
Over 50 people: $750/day

Frequently asked questions:

1. What if it's just me and my camera for my social media channel? If your social media channel is generating income per the above definition, a special use permit is required. If the channel is not generating income, no permit is required. 

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Authority: 43 CFR Part 5

Still Photography

When is a permit required?

Still photography does not require a permit unless:  

1. It uses a model*, set, or prop  
2. The agency determines a permit is necessary because:  
   1. It takes place at a location where or when members of the public are not allowed; or  
   2. The agency would incur costs for providing on-site management and oversight to protect agency resources or minimize visitor use conflicts  

^*Model means a person or object that serves as the subject for commercial filming or still photography for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service. Models include, but are not limited to, individuals, animals, or inanimate objects, such as vehicles, boats, articles of clothing, and food and beverage products, placed on agency lands so that they may be filmed or photographed to promote the sale or use of a product or service. For the purposes of this part, portrait subjects such as wedding parties and high school graduates are not considered models, if the image will not be used to promote or sell a product or service (43 CFR 5.12). 

Additional Requirements and Costs:

1. Insurance: depending on the complexity of your activity, commercial general liability may be required.
2. Location Fees: In addition to the standard cost recovery the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a location fee for commercial filming, still photography and audio recording permits to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands under the following schedule:

1–10 people - $50/day
11–30 people - $150/day
Over 30 people - $250/day

Frequently asked questions:

1. What about landscape photography? Landscape photography does not require a special use permit.
2. What about photography workshops? If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. See the commercial use authorization page for more information.

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Authority: 43 CFR Part 5

First Amendment Activities

When is a permit required?

A permit is not required if all the following are true: 

1. Group involves 25 persons or fewer, 
2. Activity takes place in the designated first amendment areas, and 
3. No equipment, other than handheld signs, are used.  

The sale or distribution of printed matter, and the free distribution of other message-bearing items without asking for or demanding payment or donation, is allowed. 

The term “printed matter” means message-bearing textual printed material such as books, pamphlets, magazines, and leaflets, provided that it is not solely commercial advertising. The term “other message-bearing items” means a message-bearing item that is not “printed matter” and is not solely commercial advertising. Other message-bearing items include, but are not limited to: Readable electronic media such as CDs, DVDs, and flash drives; clothing and accessories such as hats and key chains; buttons; pins; and bumper stickers. 

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A permit is required if any of the following are true: 

1. Group involves more than 25 people, 
2. Activity is requested to take place outside of a designated first amendment area, 
3. Equipment, other than handheld signs, printed matter, and other message bearing items, are used, 
4. A public address system is requested (36 CFR 2.12(a)(4)), or 
5. Noncommercial soliciting (36 CFR 2.37) occurs. 

No permit fees, entrance fees or insurance are required for First Amendment activities.  

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Authority: 36 CFR §2.51 and 36 CFR §2.50 

Weddings & Ceremonies

When is a permit required?

A permit is not required if all the following are true: 

1. No props, sets, decor, music, or other equipment will be used and
2. The group size* is 15 or less people.

A permit is required is required if any of the following are true:

1. Any props, sets, decor, music, or other set up is requested, or
2. The group size* is 16 or more people.

Additional Information: 

• *Group size is all persons associated with the activitiy, including officiant, photographer, videographer, guests (children included), couple getting married, etc. 

• Portrait photographers for weddings and ceremonies, as long as they are only using handheld cameras and basic tripods, do not require a separate permit. 

• Videographers for weddings and cermonies, if they are generating income from the event, require a permit. If you are already require a wedding permit, please include the filming and equipment on your application and it can be included in one permit. If you fall into the category above of not needing a permit, please have your videographer apply for a commercial filming permit (more details above). Unmanned aircraft (i.e. drones) are prohibited within the boundary of Shenandoah National Park. 

• Weddings or ceremonies may be coordinated by the authorized concessions operator, Delaware North at Shenandoah National Park. Contact the Delaware North group sales office at 866-383-2922.

• Ceremonies, gatherings and weddings with any type of setup (i.e., decorations, chairs, arch, awning, music, etc.) requires a permit, regardless of the number of participants, and will only be approved to take place in a park amphitheater, or through arrangement with DNC in their land assignment.

  PLEASE NOTE: The park's amphitheater policy is currently under review. Until it is finalized, no permits may be issued for amphitheater weddings. 

• This office strongly recommends you not to finalize your wedding plans until you are issued an approved SUP. Changes you make after receipt of the application in the permit office will require submission of a new application, emergencies and park operational changes notwithstanding.

• The park reserves the right to monitor Special Use Permit activity. See the "cost recovery" section below for more information.

• The permit office does not plan weddings/ceremonies and does not make recommendations for officiants or outside resources. You are encouraged to visit the park in advance of making your ceremony plans to familiarize yourself with available park resources and deciding where you want to hold your ceremony.

• Due to the extremely high volume of visitors to the park on fall weekends, any ceremony, gathering, or wedding ceremony taking place at an authorized overlook on a Saturday or Sunday during the months of October or November must be completed no later than 10 A.M.

Hang Gliding & Paragliding

Due to Shenandoah National Park’s unique geography and wind patterns (free flight is possible to the north, east and west) it has been a popular location for gliding since the 1930s. Modern gliding—hang gliding and paragliding—continues to take place in the Park. The information below outlines the special requirements for hang gliding and/or paragliding in Shenandoah National Park. Hang Gliding and paragliding within Shenandoah National Park requires a special use permit.

Permit Requirements

1. Permits will only be issued to pilots with cliff launch certification as well a minimum rating of (H3) for hang gliders and (P3) for paragliders. NOTE: Qualifications including the certification of pilot skills and the promotion of safety is governed by the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). A copy of certification from this organization is therefore required.
2. Proof of permission to land on private property in the form of a signed letter is required for permit issuance and is only valid for the calendar year in which it is signed. Flights are limited to daylight hours when the landing site can be clearly seen from the launch site.
3. Stunt flying, commercialization, advertising, publicity and competition flying are not permitted.
4. Helmets must be worn.
5. Cutting of vegetation is not allowed at launch sites, except as outlined in any other special use permits. Use of launch sites and trails leading to sites should be conducted at leave no trace standards.

Locations

Hang gliding & paragliding permits are only issued for the following locations:

• Dickey Ridge, Mile 6.3
• Hogback, Mile 20.5
• Miller’s Head, Near Skyland Resort

Duration of Permit

Permits are valid from the date issued through December 31st of the current calendar year. Permittee’s must reapply annually.

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Authority: 36 CFR §2.17(a)(3) and §7.l5(b)

Ash Scattering

When is a permit required?

The scattering of human ashes from cremation within Shenandoah National Park is allowed without a permit, under the following terms and conditions:

1. The remains to be scattered must have been cremated and pulverized.
2. The scattering of remains by persons on the ground and performed at least 100 feet from any trail, road, developed facility, or body of water
3. The scattering of remains from the air is prohibited
4. Ashes must be scattered over an area large enough so that they will not accumulate in one place
5. The use of commercial, for profit venture to distribute cremated remains in the park is prohibited.
6. No marker, urn or container of any kind may be left to commemorate the event

Any other circumstance requires a permit. Permits are also required for ceremonies or assemblies that might conflict with normal Park operations or result in impact to Park resources.

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Authority: 36 CFR §2.62 – Memorialization, Superintendents Compendium

 

Applying for a Special Use Permit

Step 1: Know When to Apply

A complete application is required at least 30 days in advance of your requested dates in order to process a permit. Applicants are encouraged to start the application up to 60 days before their requested date. 

An application will not be considered complete without dates, times, locations, and equipment. If your application is missing these details, or if they change during the application process, a new application must be submitted. The 30 day window may restart when this happens.

Step 2: Submit an Application

Fill out the appropriate application below and email it to [e-mail].

• Filming & Photography - NPS Form 10-932 Application for Commercial Filming/Still Photography

• All other special uses - NPS Form 10-930 Application for Special Use Permit

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

After the Office of Special Park Uses receives your application via email, we will send you an electronic bill via Pay.Gov. Follow the prompts in the email to pay your 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 prior to moving forward with the permit process. 

• First amendment – no application fee
• Hang gliding/paragliding – $50.00 application fee

• All other activities – $150.000 application fee

The Office of Special Park Uses will receive automatic notice when you've paid your application fee. At that time, we will review your application materials and determine if a permit can be issued.

Step 4: Issuing a Permit

If your activity is approved, 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.

Step 5: Pay the Cost Recovery Fees

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.

After your permitted activity is concluded, the Office of Special Park Uses 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: permits may 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 Office of Special Park Uses 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. 

   • 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 $300.00 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.
   
   Please note: Still Photography and Commercial Filming are subject to location fees. See the above activity specific sections for more information.