Special Use PermitsSpecial Use Permits are required for all activities outside of normal visitor use. Activities could include the use of the park facilities or property for organized meetings, family reunions, or commercial filming. Special Use Permits are issued at the Superintendent's discretion and an application process is required. Requests may be denied due to a lack of sufficient time to process the request or due to the event's impacts on park resources. A fee may be required for processing the application. Additional fees may be required to reimburse the National Park Service for expenses incurred as a result of supervising the permit. Fees for Special Use Permits, when applicable, must be paid before the special use, event, assembly, or meeting. A special park use is defined as a short-term activity that takes place in a park area, and that:
The Permit ProcessRead all conditions, guidelines, and restrictions. Download and return specific permit applications, along with appropriate non-refundable fees, when required. Your permit will be created and returned for your signature. When received with your signature, your permit will be approved and returned to you.
For more information, please contact us by phone at (229) 824-4104 ext. 200 or email.
First Amendment ActivitiesFreedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are constitutional rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources. The necessity of a permit to conduct First Amendment activities is determined by the group size. Small GroupA small group is defined as "25 people or less." A "small group" is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are located within a park designated First Amendment site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or hand held signs. A permit is required for any small group that: a. wants to hold a demonstration or distribute and/or sell printed matter somewhere outside a designated First Amendment area. b. wants to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc.) even if it is within a designated area. c. is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25-person maximum. d. wants to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location, including the designated First Amendment areas. Large GroupA large group is defined as "more than 25 people" and is required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site. Some examples of special events that fall under First Amendment Rules are:
There are no permit fees associated with First Amendment permits. Commercial FilmingEffective October 28, 2022 and following a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on October 21, 2022, the National Park Service (NPS) functionally reinstated previous laws and regulations related to commercial filming in national parks. The NPS has rescinded the interim guidance that was in place during litigation and has returned to longstanding laws and regulations governing commercial filming in parks. Commercial Filming Q&A Under federal law, all commercial filming that occurs within a unit of the National Park System requires a permit. 423 units make up the National Park System, and includes National Parks, National Monuments, National Preserves, National Battlefield Parks, and more. A full list of parks in the National Park System is available online: National Park System (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
If you believe that your filming or photography activity may require a permit, you should submit a completed application to the park where you want to film or photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible. "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, and documentaries. Commercial filming may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props.
In most cases, still photography does not require a permit.
A permit is required for still photography only when: the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or the activity uses model(s)*, sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or the NPS would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. *A “model” means a person or object that serves as the subject for 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. Portrait subjects, such as wedding parties and high school graduates, are not considered models. Federal law requires a permit for all commercial filming, no matter the size of the crew or the type of equipment. This includes individuals or small groups that don’t use much equipment, but generate revenue by posting footage on websites, such as YouTube and TikTok. The primary focus of the NPS, however, is on commercial filming that has the potential to impact park resources and visitors beyond what occurs from normal visitor use of park areas. Examples of this type of filming are productions that use substantial equipment such as sets and lighting, productions with crews that exceed 5 people, and filming in closed areas, wilderness areas, or in locations that would create conflicts with other visitors or harm sensitive resources.
All filmers, no matter the size, must comply with all rules that apply in park areas, just like other visitors. Permit applications are available through each park's administrative office or website. Contact information for parks can be found on their websites; Find a park where you would like to film or take photographs. If you believe that your filming or photography activity may require a permit, you should submit a completed application to the park where you want to film or photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible.
Some parks may require that you provide advance notice a certain amount of days before filming or photography begins. In addition, you should request a meeting with park staff if your proposed activity is unusual or complex. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the submitted application in a timely manner. Federal law requires the NPS to recover its administrative costs for commercial filming and still photography activities that require a permit. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the NPS in processing your request and monitoring the permitted activities. This amount will vary depending on the park and the size and complexity of the permitted activities. The application fee must be submitted with your application.
In addition, Federal law also requires the NPS to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands for commercial filming and still photography requires a permit. The NPS uses the following fee schedules for filming and photography: Commercial Filming 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 Still Photography 1–10 people - $50/day 11–30 people - $150/day Over 30 people - $250/day Permits issued for non-commercial filming may be subject to cost recovery charges, including an application fee, but a separate location fee will not be charged. Still Photography Q&A Price v. Barr had no impact on how the National Park Service regulates still photography, so there are no changes in how the National Park Service regulates that activity. Still photographers require a permit only when:the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or the activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or a park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.
Permit applications are available through each park's administrative office or website. Contact information for parks can be found on their websites; visit Find a Park to locate the park where you would like to photograph. You should submit a completed application along with the application fee to the park where you want to film or photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible. In addition, you should request a meeting with park staff if your proposed activity is unusual or complex. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the submitted application in a timely manner.
The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for still photography permits. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring your permit. This amount will vary depending on the park and the size and complexity of your permit. The application fee must be submitted with your application.In addition, the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands.
The National Park Service uses the following fee schedule: 1–10 people - $50/day 11–30 people - $150/day Over 30 people - $250/day You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.
Application for Special Use PermitsAvailable forms (click on links below) may be printed out, completed, and mailed to the park along with the appropriate application fees. At this time there are no online forms available for completion. Application for Special Use Permit NPS 10-930 Mail completed applications to: Jimmy Carter National Historical Park For additional information please contact the park at (229) 824-4104 ext. 200 or e-mail. Group Tour ReservationsNon-School GroupReservations are required for groups of ten or more people to visit the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. Call 229-376-0476 at least two weeks in advance of your group's visit to make a reservation. If you are visiting on your own or with a group of fewer than ten people, reservations are not required. School GroupMake a school group reservation. The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is a fee-free facility. |
Last updated: October 20, 2023