A special park use is a short term activity that takes place in a unit of the National Park Service and provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large. The National Park Service may permit special park uses that are not in conflict with law or policy; will not result in derogation of the values and purposes for which the park was established; do not present a threat to public safety or property; do not unduly interfere with normal park operations, resource protection, or visitor use; and is not initiated, sponsored or conducted by the National Park Service.
Special Events
Special Events are activites, such as sporting events, pageants, regattas, public spectator attractions, entertainment, ceremonies, large group camps, or rendezvous,
Aircraft and Air Delivery
Aircraft and Air Delivery include the delivery or retrieval of a person or object by parachute, helicopter, or other airborne mean; removal of a downed aircraft; and the flying over or landing of manned hot air balloons.
Filming
All commercial filming activities taking place within a unit of the National Park System require 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. Federal law requires a permit for all commercial filming that occurs within a unit of the National Park System, 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.
Non-Commercial Filming may require a permit if a permit is necessary to manage the activity to protect park resources and values while minimizing conflict between user groups or to ensure public safety. Examples of non-commercial filming include, but are not limited to, filming for tourism bureaus, convention and visitor bureaus, student filming, and filming for personal use and enjoyment. In most cases, a permit is not necessary for visitors engaging in casual non-commercial filming.
A permit is not required for outdoor filming activities in areas open to the public when the filming activity involves five persons or less and equipment that will be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold cameras.
The organizer of any other type of filming activity must provide written notice to the Superintendent at least 10 business days prior to the start of the proposed activity. Based upon the information provided, the Superintendent may require the organizer to apply for and obtain a permit if necessary to maintain public health and safety; protect environmenta or scenic values; protect natural or cultural resources; allow for equiitable allocation and use of facilities; or avoid conflict among visitor use activities.
If the Superintendent determines that the terms and conditions of a permit could not mitigate the concerns identified above in an acceptable manner, the Superintendent may deny a filming request without issuing a permit.
Still Photography
A permit is required for still photography only when:
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the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or
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Photography of vehicles or other articles of commerce or uses model(s), set(s), or prop(s) that are not a park of the locations's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or
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the National Park Service would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.
A "model" means a person or object that servces 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, baors, articles of clothing, and food and beverage products. Portrait subjects, such as wedding parties and high school graduates, are not considered models.
First Amendment Activities
Freedom of speech, the press, religion, and assembly are constitutional rights. 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.
A small group is defined as 25 people or less. A small group is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are loacted 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:
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Wants to hold a demonstration or distribute printed matter outside a designated First Amendment area.
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Wants to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc.,) even if it is within a designated area.
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Wants to use public address system or amplification system in connection with the gathering.
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Is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25-person maximum.
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Wants to guarantee they will have priority for the use of the location, including the designated First Amendment areas.
A Large group is defined as “more than 25 people” and is required to obtain a Special Use Permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment area.
Some examples of First Amendment activities are:
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Distribution of printed matter
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Religious services
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Public demonstrations or assemblies
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Collecting signatures for petitions
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Holding vigils
The National Park Service will not impose requirements for application fees, monitoring and management fees, insurance, bonding, or any other conditions requiring financial expenditures for First Amendment activities.
A permit for First Amendment activities will be issued or denied within 10 business days of receipt of a complete application.
See a map of the designated demonstration area
Right-of-Way Permits
A right of way (ROW) is a permit issued by the National Park Service that allows a utility to pass over, under, or through NPS property. You need a ROW permit any time you want to build or install a utility on NPS lands. Projects could include electrical transmission lines, telephone lines, canals, and sewer lines. Broadband equipment, such as telecommunication sites, microwave, and fiber optics, reequire a ROW permit. See additional information concerning ROW permits.
Other Activities
A Special Park Use Permit can be used by park management to authorize the use of park-managed lands for a variety of activities and uses, many not listed here. The Superintendent's Compendium contains all activites for which a permit is required.
For the protection of Natchez National Historical Park's historic buildings and the contents within; no special use activites are permitted inside of any historic structure.
The park is closed to all visitors on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, therefore no special use activiites are to be permitted on these days.
The park does not have the staffing levels to support more than one special use activity per day. All special use applications will be processed on a first-come basis.
Application Fee: All permit applications, except for First Amendment activities, must be accompanied by a $150.00 application fee. The park accepts checks or money orders made payable to the National Park Service. This non-refundable application fee reflects the minimum actual costs incurred by the park in processing the application and administrative costs. Complex activities or activities requiring more than basic NEPA and Section 106 compliance, may cause the park to incur more than the initial $150.00 application fee. The park will bill the applicant for any additional costs incurred in processing the application even if the application is denied. This fee does not guarantee that you will be able to have your event at Natchez National Historical Park.
Monitoring and Management Fees: The National Park Service must recover costs associated with the management of a private event. Personnel and other costs are determined by the type and scope of activity, the location, the time of day, the utilities used, and other factors. Each permit will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and the applicant will be notified of an estimate of charges prior to the event. However, the park will track all costs associated with the permit for which the permitee will be responsible for.
Filming and Still Photography: In addition to the application fee and the monitoring and management fees the park is mandated to collect location fees for filming and still photography permits. Location fees are based on the number of people associated with the permit and the length of the permit. The current location fee schedule is as follows:
Motion Pictures/Videos
1 – 2 people, camera and
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/Audio Recording
1 - 10 people $50/day
11 - 30 people $150/day
Over 30 people $250/day
Are there other permit requirements? 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.
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.
First Amendment Activities Exceptions: The National Park Service will not impose requirements for application fees, monitoring and management fees, insurance, bonding, or any other conditions requiring financial expenditures for First Amendment activities.
Each special use permit issued is based upon general conditions that protect visitor access, safety, and park values and resources. Other permit conditions may be imposed depending upon the proposed activity and the park area which it is held.
Insurance: Most events will require the permitee to carry commercial general liability insurance. The minimum insurance requirement is $1 million per occurrence/$1 million aggregate. The certificate of insurance shall name the United States of America as “additionally insured and the National Park Service should be listed as the certificate holder. This certificate must be received by the park at least seven days before the start of the permit.
Bonding: Events with potential participant impact will require the permitee to post a performance bond. The bond is refundable unless the deposit must be used, in whole or in part, for site cleanup, trash removal, property damage, or becuase the permitee fails to comply with permit conditions.
Requests for event dates are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis up to one year in advance. The park will not issue more than one event per day. An event is not placed on the park’s calendar until a completed application form, accompanied by the $150 application fee, is received and reviewed by the park.
All permit applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Please allow time for applications to be processed. Applications should be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to your event for the park to process the request. For larger. more complex events (Ex. over 50 people, catering, substantial equipment) please submit a minimum of 90 days from the date of your event. Every effort will be made to accommodate permit applications sooner of allowed by processes.
To start the permit process, please complete this Special Use Permit Application . For still photography use this CFSP Special Use Permit Application.
Please be sure to provide as much detail as possible. Submitting information regarding maps, dates/times, equipment, and locations will help speed up the review process.
All applications must be postmarked 30 days or greater prior to the start date of the proposed activity to be conducted in the park. The non-refundable application fee may be paid by check or money order payable to the "National Park Service." Mail the completed application with the non-refundable $150.00 application fee (application fee not required for First Amendment activities) to:
Natchez National Historical Park
Special Use Coordinator
640 South Canal Street, Suite E
Natchez, MS 39120
Natchez National Historical Park
Special Use Coordinator
640 South Canal Street, Suite E
Natchez, MS 39120
Phone: (601) 442-7047
e-mail us
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