Commercial Use Authorization

Additional Documents

Temporary Food Establishment Application
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, on federally administered lands 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

• Aerial Scattering of Ashes

• Bicycle Tours (Including E-Bikes)

• Dog Walking Services

• Fitness Classes

• Photography and Arts Workshops

• Guided Day Hikes

• Meetup Groups (gatherings of larger than 25 people or 10 vehicles)

• Guided Horseback Riding

• Event Services

• Merchandise Vendors

• Food & Beverage Service Vendors

• Ticket Sales

Note: If a new proposed activity is not on this list, the new activity would require an environmental review. This would add additional cost recovery charges to the permit fees. There are no guarantees that the new activity would be approved.

Applying for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)

1. Create an account at: https://cua.nps.gov/
2. Once signed in, select “Opportunities” at the top of the page and click “Search by Park”.
3. In the green search bar on the page, type in “Santa Monica Mountains” or scroll through the pages.
4. Click on the park, “Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.”
5. A list of Service types will pop up. Find the service type you would like to apply for.
6. To select, click on the green box on the right side of the list and the text “View Details and Conditions” will pop up. Click this text.
7. It will bring you to a separate page where you can apply. Please read through the terms and conditions, requirements, and required documentation before applying.

General Requirements

• CUA application and administration fees are $350 per year. (A year from the date you receive your signed permit). Payments will be made through the new online portal. This fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied. So please contact the office if you have any questions beforehand.

• It is free to create an account and search for parks and/or service types to apply for. When an application is submitted a payment will be required at that time.

• Monthly reports may be required each month, depending on service type. If there are no visitors/trips being done, please state in your report the number for that month is zero (0).

• 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. If this is not submitted, you will not be able to reapply for a new CUA, or apply to other parks and/or other service types.

• 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.

Additional Documentation

Additional documentation may be required dependent on the type of service you are going to provide. These documents will be found in the CUA portal under the specific service type.

Additional Documentation that may be required includes:

• Temporary Food Establishment Application

• Visitor Risk Acknowledgment

• Current First Aid/CPR certification for all guides

• Business License

• Outline of client orientation (NPS mission, practices to be followed that will protect resources, general description of hazards/safety issues, etc.)

• Safety plan/ risk management plan to include, but is not limited to, evacuation and emergency procedures, contact information, cell or satellite phones/use including handheld radios (walkie-talkies), first aid equipment and training.

• Map of trail routes at each park site you are looking to utilize.

• Copy of permit from other jurisdictional agencies when applicable.

Insurance

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, guided hikes, etc.) may require increased coverage of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.

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.

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
samocua@nps.gov