Special Use Policy and Permits

• Art displays or exhibits
• Athletic events, competitions, races, or regattas
• Clean ups (shoreline or other property type)
• Company picnics for more than 50 people
• Conferences or training events
• Daycare or summer camp visits
• Drone use (approval is restricted to commercial use - no private use permitted)
• Exercises classes (commercial)
• Festivals
• Film, video, or photography shoots (small scale, large scale, non-commercial and student-based)
• Fireworks displays
• Fundraising events (Walkathons, races, small festivals, family fun days, etc.)
• Equestrian competitions, shows or gatherings
• Motorcycle charity runs or stopovers
• Outreach or education displays or tents
• Press conferences
• Private parties for more than 50 people (not contained to a specific site rental such as a pavilion or field)
• Radio station broadcasts
• Religious ceremonies
• School field days, picnics, or field trips
• Scientific research or surveys
• Volunteer maintenance projects (scouts, schools, groups, or organizations)

If you already have a specific location in mind, please contact the Regional Office for that area to confirm if a permit is required, if the date you are requesting is available, and if the event or activity is allowed.

If you are not sure what location would be appropriate for your event or activity or would like general information, please contact us at dem.riparks@dem.ri.gov or 401-667-6200.

Please note: approval of your event is at the discretion of park management. Please contact the State Park you are interested in for more information before submitting a Special Use Permit request.

Submitting A Request

Before submitting your permit application, it is important to read the information provided below. Once you have determined a location and confirmed with the Regional Manager that the date is available and the use is appropriate, Download this Instruction Form and then click here to apply.

Please keep in mind:

• Plan ahead! Special Use Permit applications need to be submitted at least 30 BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee that your event will be permitted.
• Large scale events will require applications to be received no less than 90 days prior to the event with some events requiring up to 1-year advanced notification. These large events may require a License Agreement approved by the State Properties Committee. Activities requiring a License Agreement at a RI State Park property meet on or more of the following criteria:
  • Commercial Use: If a person, group, or organization is making or attempting to make a profit or offers for sale any service or product or charges a fee on DEM property
  • Alcohol: Any event or activity that proposes the consumption, possession, distribution, selling or drinking of alcoholic beverages. Please note, there are only select locations that allow alcohol.
  • High Risk: Events such as fireworks/pyrotechnics; concerts/festivals with staging, special equipment, or carnival rides; large scale races, regattas, or competitions; any use that requires construction of structures and/or equipment to move or install any feature.
  • High Impact: The event or activity that exceeds normal use of the facility and/or interrupts the normal public use of the park due to scope or size of the event; large number of attendees; large-scale promotion (media and social); events of regional, national, or global scale.

Contact RI State Parks at dem.riparks@dem.ri.gov or 401-667-6200 if you have questions regarding large scale events.

Estimated total attendance (participants, staff, volunteers & spectators) will determine your event impact cost for use of the property. 

This cost is in addition to any site, field, or shelter renters you may require. 

See Site, Field,+ and Shelter Rentals for more information.

• School Group Exemption School groups will not be assessed staffing costs for picnics, field trips, or field days. This exception does not apply to multi-school athletic events.
• Maximum Attendance Events on State Property will be capped at 10,000 attendance per day.
• Direct Park Staffing In addition to the Event Impact Cost, Direct Park Staffing costs may be assessed when park staff must be fully dedicated to managing or overseeing an event.
• Pass Thru Events will be reduced by 1/3 by participant level or a minimum of $100, over 100 people (example: race where course uses part of a park)
• Partial Use Events will be reduced by½ by participant level or a minimum of $100, over 100 people (example: events that utilize a property for parking only, where the event takes place off-site, and no services or amenities are required.)
• Small Business Use a $25 event impact fee for small business use, for 25 people or fewer (per use or per event date) where no money is exchanged on state property (example: small fitness/yoga classes).

• This does not include set-up/break-down dates. Event days only.
• The minimum partial use fee of $100 will be charged per day for set-up & break-down.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Depending on the size and/or category of the event, you may be assessed cost for Law Enforcement or Emergency Medical Services (EMS/Fire) Details.

INSURANCE

Most Special Event Permits require a certificate of general liability insurance. The amount of insurance required is based on the type of activity you are planning to host. After we have reviewed your application, we will provide details on the level of insurance required, and instructions on where to email the certificate. We must receive your certificate of insurance two weeks prior to your event, or permits can be denied.

Once your application is received, a 2-part approval process will take place where the event or special use activity will be assessed for cost, public safety, insurance, and any other event/activity specific conditions. Once this first review takes place, the permit will receive Conditional Approval. This allows the permit applicant to move forward with planning and preparing for the event/special use activity. The permit will receive Final Approval when insurance is received, and all other conditions have been met. An event can only take place when a Final Approval is received, and a permit is issued.

The following businesses have been approved to provide services for permitted private events within State Park locations. These lists are provided for information only, and inclusion does not constitute endorsement by DEM and Rhode Island State Parks. Anyone interested in becoming an approved vendor, click here for Small Business Permits.