Commercial Use Authorizations
What is a Commercial Use Authorization?
Wright Brothers National Memorial permits businesses to conduct commercial activities in the park through Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs). The park will only issue CUAs for activities that are
- determined to be an appropriate use of the park;
- will have minimal impact on park resources and values; and
- are consistent with the park's purpose, management plans, policies and regulations.
UPDATE: New COVID 19 Guidance for Commercial Use Authorizations:
Partners should utilize the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and practice the preventive measures discussed in their guidance. Face masks are required in park areas where six feet of physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all NPS-administered buildings and facilities, including those operated by partners. The NPS has issued the following guidance relevant to partners. This guidance will continue to expand and will be updated as appropriate.
Application Fees for 2024 will remain at $250.
Starting in October 2024 for 2025 the Application Fee will increase to $450. All CUA applications will be required to use the new online application system. More Info to Come in 2024.
Which commercial activities are permitted?
Commercial Services
| Services |
Allowable Activities |
Permitted Locations, Requirements & Limitations |
Bicycle and Electric (E-Bikes) Services
Application Fee: $250.00
CUA will be valid for activities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial |
- Bicycle and electric bikes tours for individuals or groups
- Associated photography service
|
- Permitted locations:
- Park roads and in parking areas that are otherwise open for motor vehicle use by the general public.
- CUA holders may not use their personal annual or lifetime passes to admit clients into Wright Brothers National Memorial. Participant’s age 16 and older entering the park must pay applicable entrance fees of $10 per person. Clients may use their own annual or lifetime passes to cover this entry fee.
- Prohibited Locations:
- Bicycle riding off of park roads and parking areas to include sidewalks and trails.
- Limitations:
- Appropriate safety equipment to include, at minimum, a properly sized helmet.
- All bikes must be maintained, inspected, and in good working condition at all times.
- Bicycles must exhibit a white light on the front and a red light or reflector on the rear. The CUA holder must inform customers to use the lights during periods of low visibility
|
Interpretive and Educational Programs
Application Fee: $250.00
CUA will be valid for activities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial
|
- Formal interpretive programs such as tours, walks, talks, or hikes including the following activities: walking tours of the beach and sound-side areas; and talks around beach fires
- Historical demonstrations such as fish-net mending or U.S. Life Saving Service beach apparatus drill
- Recreational skill demonstrations such as bird watching or night sky/astronomy programs
- Sea turtle nest demonstrations and sand castle building (Cape Hatteras National Seashore only)
- Commercial transportation of participant/s via Off-Road Vehicle/s (ORVs) on designated ORV ramps and routes (Cape Hatteras NS only)
- Associated photography services
|
- Permitted locations at Cape Hatteras National Seashore:
- Anywhere open to the public with the exception of the following:
- Lifeguarded areas
- Bodie Island Light Station area and historic grounds: April – October between 9 am and 5 pm
- Hatteras Island Light Station area and historic grounds: April – October between 9 am and 5 pm
- Permitted locations at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial: anywhere open to the public
- Limitations: Holder may not provide interpretive and educational programs in the same general location or same general time period as similar programs provided by the National Park Service
- As applicable, the authorization Holder must obtain a fee-free Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beach Fire Permit in order to provide beach/campfires as part of the interpretive and educational programs. The Holder and its clients must abide by all stipulations and regulations of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beach Fire Permit
- The authorization Holder must abide by all applicable fishing regulations, which may include requirements to obtain a state of North Carolina fishing license for activities such as seine netting and catch and release ghost crabbing. The authorization Holder is responsible for making its own determinations as to applicability of fishing regulations and obtaining any necessary permits
- This authorization does not authorize the Holder to take or collect plants, fish, wildlife, rocks or minerals (soil), as these activities require separate permitting
- Limitations for sea turtle nest demonstrations:
- Wildlife - sea turtle nest demonstrations may not involve any wildlife
- Location - demonstration nests must be located within close proximity to one another and the Hatteras Island Ocean Center to facilitate regular monitoring by the authorization Holder; authorization Holder must notify the park contact (listed at the top of this authorization) of the sites selected for nest demonstrations and include GPS coordinates of the sites
- Removal - the National Park Service reserves the right to remove or request removal of demonstration nests in order to protect park resources. If the National Park Service removes the demonstration nests, the park contact will notify the Holder to arrange transfer of equipment and discuss alternative locations
- Required signage – the authorization Holder must place signs at demonstration areas clearly identifying that the demonstration nests are for educational purposes and do not contain actual sea turtles or sea turtle eggs; signage must be easily differentiated from National Park Service nest signs, staking, fencing and marking to indicate to clients, NPS staff and the general public that these are not actual sea turtle nests
- Required messages – authorization Holder must educate clients about endangered species protections, including the following specific messages:
- Under no circumstance is a nest or turtle to be disturbed, e.g. dug into
- If you see any turtle activity including tracks, hatchlings or other evidence of turtle nesting, call 252-216-6892 to inform Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- If using an ORV, must follow rules and regulations for ORV use within the Seashore
|
Photography Instruction
Application Fee: $250.00
CUA will be valid for activities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial |
- Photography instruction for individuals and/or groups
- Associated walking tours
- Commercial transportation of participant/s via Off-Road Vehicle/s (ORVs) on designated ORV ramps and routes (Cape Hatteras NS only)
- Commercial transportation of participant/s on roads to and/or within the park
|
- Permitted locations:
- Any areas open to the public.
- If using an ORV, must follow rules and regulations for ORV use within the Seashore
|
Towing Service
Application Fee: $250.00
CUA will be valid for activities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial |
- Commercial towing of inoperable vehicles
- Tire repair
- Battery service
- Locksmith
|
- Permitted locations:
- Any areas open to the public
- Limitations:
- Operators must have spill kits and mitigate any spilled hazardous fuel and or oils
|
How do I obtain a commercial use authorization?
Before conducting commercial activities in the park, businesses or individuals must submit a CUA application, receive approval from the park superintendent, and have a copy of the CUA present at all times while conducting business in the park. 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.
Application Instructions:
- Download the CUA Application.
- Complete and sign the CUA Application (electronically or in writing)
- Submit the completed form via e-mail to caha_commercial_services@nps.gov along with:
- Proof of Commercial general liability insurance certificate (Certificate Example)
- Auto liability insurance certificate
- We will then send you an Electronic Bill to pay your $250 application fee electronically through Pay.gov. You can pay on-line via credit card, debit card or check. Do not send a paper check or cash via mail.
- Complete and submit Annual Report Form—Due by January 30th following the operating year.
Application Review Process:
- The park requires at least 4 weeks to process a completed CUA application
- Applications are reviewed in the order they are received
- Applicants may receive follow-up emails or phone calls with requests for additional information
- Applicants will receive approval, denial or requests for modifications to the proposed commercial activities no later 6 weeks after receipt of the completed application and application fee
For what time period are Commercial Use Authorizations Valid?
The park issues CUAs on a one-year basis and they are valid from the date of issue until December 31 of the same calendar year. For example, if an application is received on February 1, 2024, and the CUA is issued on March 1, 2024, the CUA will be valid from March 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. As another example, if a CUA is issued on September 1, it will be valid from September 1 until December 31 of the same year.
If I operate an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) as part of my commercial activities in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, do I need a separate ORV permit?
If driving on the beach is part of the commercial activities authorized under your CUA, you are entitled to annual ORV permit decal for each vehicle you operate to support your CUA activities. Please contact the Commercial Services office via e-mail or phone for instructions to obtain your free ORV permit/s. The ORV activities / beach driving must be associated with your CUA activities in order to obtain a decal. For example, transporting customers in ORV areas or transporting equipment used in CUA activities to ORV areas. All ORV decals issued under a CUA expire on December 31st of the year they are issued. Please follow this link to watch the Required ORV Video as part of the ORV permit process.
Questions and Contact Information:
For questions regarding Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) and doing business in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, e-mail caha_commercial_services@nps.gov or call 252-475-9034 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday, Eastern Standard Time, excluding federal holidays.
