National Arboretum Fees for Service for the Grounds and Facilities as Well as Commerical Photography and Cinematography. (Private Sector)

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

U.S. National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 245-4553
Fax: (202) 447-2811

www.usna.usda.gov

Photography at the U.S. National Arboretum
Policies, Permit, and Fee Scale
The mission of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) is to conduct research, provide education, and conserve
and display trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants to enhance the environment. In accordance with these
objectives, the USNA grounds are open to the public. All visitors are subject to the USNA rules and
regulations.
It is the policy of the USNA to permit and encourage photography within the USNA to the fullest extent
possible consistent with the protection of its gardens and plant collections and the enjoyment of visitors.
USNA can not endorse or be made to appear as if it is endorsing a product or a political view.
Photographic exercises may not disrupt the flow of vehicles and pedestrians on the grounds of the USNA.
Noncommercial Photography
Noncommercial photography does not require a permit; you are welcome to explore any of the USNA’s public
areas. (For Wedding Photography, see below.)
Commercial Photography
Commercial Photography requires a permit and a may incur a fee. All requests for commercial photography
must be submitted as far in advance as possible (at least two weeks) and must include a detailed statement of
the purpose of the photography. If the request is approved and a fee is assigned, the fee must be received prior
to the permit being issued.
Wedding Photography
All wedding photographs require a permit and a fee. Wedding pictures may be taken in the Capitol Columns
area only (within the mowed area). No services, parties, or receptions are allowed. Only the immediate
wedding party and photographer are allowed. Nothing may be attached to the historic structure (i.e., columns,
steps, etc.).

Important Information
DAMAGES: Care must be given to ensure plant materials, grounds, or facilities are not damaged in any way.
Full restitution for damage to plants, grounds, or facilities is required. The USNA is not responsible for lost or
damaged personal property. Please do not leave valuables in your car.
OPERATING HOURS: The USNA grounds are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day except December 25.
Prior approval will be required for visitation or photography outside these hours.

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NON-PUBLIC AREAS: A permit is required for access to any non-public area. A verbal permit may be
provided in cases of bona fide news-gathering activities.
REFUSE: The Photographer is responsible for removing on a daily basis any refuse generated.
CANCELLATIONS: At his sole discretion, the Director of the USNA reserves the right to cancel any
reservation. In such cases, all fees for the canceled day will be fully refunded.
PARKING: Parking is allowed only in designated areas. All roads must be kept open at all times for vehicle
traffic. Park only on paved roads as far to the right edge of the road as possible, but not on the grass. Trailers
with steps must park so that the steps face away from the roadway. All vehicles and equipment must be kept
off the lawn and planted areas.
PLANT MATERIAL: Digging or planting of any plant material on the grounds is strictly forbidden unless
prior authorization is received from the Administrative and Marketing Manager. Absolutely NO cutting of any
Arboretum plant material is permitted. Nothing is to be trimmed for any reason whatsoever.
Equipment may not be set up within garden beds without USNA approval.
Plant tags are not to be removed for any reason.
VISITORS: Visitors to the grounds may not be prevented from viewing an area being used by a photographer.
They may be asked, politely, not to approach during filming, but once the shot has been completed, the visitors
may proceed. No public area may be closed to visitor access.
DRESSING ROOMS: Changing rooms are not available. Limited rest room facilities are available, but are
not designed to handle changing activities. Use by the public of these facilities may not be restricted.
NUDITY: Under no circumstances will nudity or scantily clad persons be permitted on the grounds of the
Arboretum. Articles of clothing which are indecent may not be worn by an employee of the production
company.
ALCOHOL: Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the grounds and observation of the presence of such by
permittee’s cast or crew will result in cancellation of the shoot without any refund of fees.
PHOTO CREDIT: Proper photo credit must be awarded to the USNA. Copies and press uses of all
photographs of the grounds of the USNA must be submitted to: Education & Visitor Services/U.S. National
Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002.
NON-COMPLIANCE: Cancellation of the filming and denial of future filming privileges may result if the
terms and conditions stated herein are not fully adhered to.

Revised May 2001

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

U.S. National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 245-4553
Fax: (202) 447-2811

www.usna.usda.gov

OMB No. 0518-0024

Application/Permit for Commercial Photography/Cinematography
U.S. National Arboretum
Applicant Name:________________________________

Date:___________________

Contact Name:_________________________________
Name of Company/Organization:____________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Phone No.__________________

Fax No.____________________

Please provide the name, address and phone number of the organization or company that has
contracted for your photographic or cinemagraphic services, if applicable:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Date requested for photographic/cinemagraphic services:_________________________________
Rain Date: _________________________________
Entry time:____________________

Exit time:___________________

Number of people working on the project: _____________ in ____________ vehicles
Identify all site(s) to be used (list at least one specific site).

Itemize equipment to be used (type of camera, size, sound equipment, lights, screens, etc.).

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Provide detailed description of the project (what you are proposing to photograph, the purpose of
the project, the audience of the project, the number of cast and crew, etc. Be as specific and
detailed as possible). Attach additional pages if required.

Describe the manner in which the images or pictures will be used. Identify where they are to be
aired or published.

Security of equipment is provided by the permittee.
All U.S. National Arboretum regulations must be obeyed. Falsification of any of the above
information will result in immediate cancellation of permission to photograph with no refund.
Permission is granted for the date and time indicated only and is not transferable. Locations
other than those approved may not be used.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB
control number for this information collection is 0518-0024. The time required to complete this information
collection is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of
information.

I understand and agree to the conditions above and have not falsified any information about this
project.
Signature:_______________________________________

Date:__________________

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Approved / Denied
Approving Official_________________________ Date:___________
Reason for Denial: _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Notification: Director, Security, Facilities Manager, Events Coordinator, Scheduling Coordinator,
Front Desk, Aker, Curator ______________

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

U.S. National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 245-4553
Fax: (202) 447-2811

www.usna.usda.gov

FEE CALCULATION
__________ pieces of equipment
__________ members of cast and crew
__________ day(s) of set preparation at $250 per day

= $__________

__________ day(s) filming at $________ per day

= $__________

__________ day(s) strike set at $250 per day

= $__________

__________ day(s) still photography at $500 per day

= $__________

still photography at $250 per half day

= $__________

__________ day(s) wedding photography at $250 per half day

= $__________

__________ hour(s) supervision at $40 per hour

= $__________

__________ slides at $100 per image

= $__________

TOTAL FEE DUE:

$__________

Fees must be provided by cash or check (made out to U.S. National Arboretum) and must be
received at least one week prior to date requested. Please forward fees to:
Attention: Administrative and Marketing Manager
U.S. National Arboretum
3501 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002-1958