Special Use Permits

Special Use Permits
A Special Park Use is a short-term activity that takes place in a park area and provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large. The National Park Service may permit a Special Park Use providing the activity will not cause derogation of the park's resources or values, visitor experiences, or the purpose for which the park was established. San Juan NHS issues permits for the following activities: weddings, filming and photography, public assemblies and special events. A $150.00 nonrefundable permit application fee applies to all permits except for those issued to groups or individuals exercising their First Amendment right.

Please, keep in mind that permits are traditionally authorized before or after park operational hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Hours of operations). Depends on location.

Submit your permits with a minimum of 4 weeks in advance (small scale events). Depending on the size and scope of the permit (planning, logistics, other agencies involved) it may require a minimum of 6 months and up to a year in advance for permit submittal.

In addition to the permit application fee, the park is authorized to recover and retain all costs associated with monitoring and managing a special park use permit.

First Amendment Activities: Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. People may exercise these rights in national parks, but the National Park Service (NPS) retains its responsibility to protect park resources and prevent conflict among park visitors. San Juan National Historic Site’s First Amendment assigned area is located on Parcel A (on the esplanade of Castillo San Felipe del Morro).

When your application is under review, the Office of Special Park Uses will look at multiple criteria, including whether or not there is a meaningful association between the park and the event, and how the event contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park.

Events requiring Special Use Permits include (but are not limited to):
Athletic Events
Parades
Public Spectator Attraction
Ceremonies
Weddings
First Amendment (for groups of 26 or greater)
Public Assemblies
Meetings
Gatherings
Demonstrations

Special Instructions and Available Documents

Click on the desired link for further information and printable permit application forms. The application forms are in Adobe PDF format. Permit applications may be sent by email, hand delivered, or by mail.

SAJU NHS 10-930 Application for SUP (Short Form) This document is used for one-day special events.

SAJU NHS 10-930 Application for SUP (Long Form) This document is used for multi-day events or multiple-purpose events.

SAJU NHS 10-931 Application for Filming/Photography (Short Form) This document is used for a day event of filming and or photography.

SAJU NHS 10-932 Application for Filming/Photography (Long Form) This document is used for multi-day events or multiple-purpose events of filming and or photography.

SAJU NHS 10-934 Application for Demonstrations and Distribution of Materials This document is used for First Amendment Activities

SAJU Rules Per Area This is the guidelines to know what area you can use and the possible restrictions.

Payments

Go paperless and pay online:
San Juan National Historic Site Special Use Permit Application Fees Online Payment Option

Instructions for online payments

1. Clink on link form above.
2. Fill in required fields on form with your information and hit submit.
3. Fill in Bank account (ACH), PayPal account or Debit or credit card information.
4. On Step 4 "Review & Submit", please type in saju_permits@nps.gov in the CC box. If you forgot, send the payment confirmation to that same email.

The system will send a confirmation of payment.

Most Requested Locations for Special Events

San Juan NHS issues permits for events such as filming, photography, public assembly, religious events and special park uses. Here you'll find photos of some of the most requested locations around the park.

Filming

All filming requires a permit. Any digital or film recording of a visual image or sound recording by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience, such as for a documentary, television or feature film, advertisement, or similar project needs a Filming Permit. It does not include news coverage or visitor use.
Congress has authorized the National Park Service to charge location fees for the use of park lands and facilities for filming and photography purposes. Site use charges will be estimated based on the information you provide in your application. No waivers are allowed.

Note: Since our costs are based on the services we provide, we do not differentiate between profit and nonprofit documentary projects. By law the National Park Service may not waive recovery of costs for projects that are produced to promote an industry, influence Congressional initiatives, or influence the outcomes of elections.

Location Fees for Motion Filming and video

Breaking News

Breaking news is an event that cannot be covered at any other time or at any other location. Filming of breaking news does not involve advertising, sets, props, or models. Coverage of breaking news does not require a permit, but film crews may not disrupt park visitors, damage park resources, or compromise public health and safety regulations.For additonal information on breaking news or news coverate please contact us.

Other Media
Frequently there are opportunities for news organizations to focus on park programs or increase public awareness of park-specific issues. Filming related to these stories must be coordinated and planned. Contact the SUP Coordinator.

Still Photography

Still photography permits are needed when the activity takes places at a location closed to the public, models are used, sets, props, or when the park will incur on additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. The park will monitor the activity to avoid impairment or incompatible use of the resources and values of the park, to limit resource damage, or to minimize health or safety risks to the visiting public.

Congress has authorized the National Park Service to charge location fees for the use of park lands and facilities for filming and photography purposes. Site use charges will be estimated based on the information you provide in your application. No waivers are allowed.

Note: Since our costs are based on the services we provide, we do not differentiate between profit and nonprofit documentary projects. By law the National Park Service may not waive recovery of costs for projects that are produced to promote an industry, influence Congressional initiatives, or influence the outcomes of elections.

Location Fees for Still Photography