Commercial Use Authorizations

A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that

• take place at least in part on lands managed by the National Park Service;

• use park resources; and

• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

In accordance with Public Law 105-391 Section 418, passed in 1998, a non-profit organization is not required to obtain a CUA to conduct activities in a park area if the non-profit organization does not derive taxable income from the activities. In this case, the non-profit would be required to obtain a special use permit (SUP) to engage in activities in the National Lakeshore. Contact the permits coordinator to determine which permit your organization should apply for.

If you are not registered at a campsite in the Lakeshore campground, and are delivering and setting up for campers that rented the RV/Camper from you, you are conducting business in the Lakeshore and are required to apply for a CUA.

CUAs are only issued for commercial activities and visitor services that

• will have minimal impact on the park areas resources and values;

• are consistent with the purposes for which the park area was established; and

• are consistent with all applicable park area management plans, policies, and regulations.

Applying for a Commercial Use Authorization permit must be done on the CUA website.
A separate application must be submitted for each activity you want to offer.

Each application must be submitted with all required documentation and the non-refundable $350.00 application fee.

CUA’s are not automatically renewed. A new application must be submitted each year.

Once received, the park evaluates each application. If it is determined that the proposed business service supports or complements the Lakeshore's mission and goals, the online CUA will be approved by the Superintendent.

The CUA application process is not complete until the applicant has received an electronic copy of their approved permit signed by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

CUA’s will not be issued until all required documents and the application fee are received.

All CUAs are issued for the calendar year and will expire on December 31.

Once issued, the employees of an organization who enter the National Lakeshore to conduct business under a CUA are exempt from the Lakeshore entrance fee.

Employees of CUA holders must carry a copy of their CUA when entering the park.

Clients are required to pay the entrance fee. For a current list of fees, visit Fees & Reservations.

A CUA does not allow a CUA holder exclusive rights to use an area or facility and the commercial activity must not interfere with the use of the park by other visitors.

If interested, arrangements can be made for your business to sell park entrance passes as a service to your customers. If you have any questions about the Park Entrance Pass Program, please contact the Fee Manager at 231-326-4730.

Businesses and individuals may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the CUA.

CUA holders must submit a mandatory annual CUA report at the end of the operating season.
The annual report will be submitted on the CUA website.

Application Fee: A $350 non-refundable application fee is due each year when your application is submitted.

Annual Market Price Fee: A management fee, based on a percentage of annual gross receipts, is due at the end of each year when the annual report is submitted.

The following fee structure will apply.

Market Price Fee (% of gross receipts earned from park-based operations)

• less than $250,000.00: 3% of gross receipts
• $250,00.00 to $500,000.00: 4% of gross receipts
• more than $500,000.00: 5% of gross receipts

If the amount due is greater than the application fee, the CUA holder should deduct the application fee from the percent of gross receipts before remitting at the end of the season, so as not to exceed the market price.