The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has the authority under CGS 23-11 to authorize requests for Special Use of a State Park or State Forest when the request is for public purposes and is not in conflict with park or forest purposes. A Special Use License may be issued expressly to authorize public activities that are normally prohibited under certain provisions of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies 23-4 (RCSA §§ 23-4).
No weddings, private events, nor use of a drone by a member of the public are authorized through the Special Use application and process. Please connect with deep.stateparks@ct.gov for more information on weddings in State Parks, and visit Use of Remote Controlled Aircraft for more information on drone use.
If you are interested in a Special Use License, or unsure if your proposed use of a state park or forest requires special authorization, please connect with the Special Use Coordinator via deep.specialuse@ct.gov, or by leaving a message on the phone service via (860) 424-3471.
More information, including application fees and frequently asked questions, is included below.
Where can I download an application?
All Special Use requests must be reviewed by the Special Use Coordinator (SUC) prior to receiving an application. This is to prevent any unnecessary work in case there are issues with the requested use, the location, the proposed use dates, or other factors. Please connect with the SUC via deep.specialuse@ct.gov with the following details of your request:
- State Park or Forest Location
- Date of proposed use
- Total number participants & spectators anticipated for the proposed use
- Reason for use (mobile food truck, walk-a-thon, 5k, special event, etc,
What types of uses are authorized through Special Use?
Special use may encompass a wide range of activities that are generally prohibited at, or not the intended use of a state park and forest recreational land, but remain consistent with the mission of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and the State Parks & Public Outreach Division.
No weddings, private events, nor use of a drone by a member of the public are authorized through the Special Use process. Please connect with deep.stateparks@ct.gov for more information on weddings in State Parks, and visit Use of Remote Controlled Aircraft for more information on drone use.
Below you will find a broad list, which includes, but is not limited to, the types of use and the regulation(s) which may be violated. These regulations may be found online at the Regulations for Connection State Agencies (RCSA) 23-4.
| Use Type | Regulation | Regulation Description |
|
Walk-a-thon Trail Run Running Race |
RCSA §§ 23-4-1 (h), (i), (x), and (cc) RCSA §§ 23-4-2 (a) |
Commercial restrictions, Trails and roads, Noise, Tents, and Parking |
| Non-profit Fundraiser |
RCSA §§ 23-4-1 (h), (x), and (cc) RCSA §§ 23-4-2 (a) |
Commercial restrictions, Noise, Tents, and Parking |
| Mobile Food Truck | RCSA §§ 23-4-1 (h) | Commercial restrictions |
| Historical Reenactment |
RCSA §§ 23-4-1 (c), (h), (q), (x), and (cc) RCSA §§ 23-4-2 (a) and (d) |
Hunting/weapons, Commercial restrictions, Fires, Noise, Tents, Parking, and Motor vehicles Use |
| Rowing Regatta |
RCSA §§ 23-4-1 (h), (m), (x), and (cc) RCSA §§ 23-4-2 (a) |
Commercial restriction, Boats, Noise, Tents, and Parking |
| Public Stargazing |
RCSA §§ 23-4-1 (a), (h), (x), and (cc), RCSA §§ 23-4-2 (a) and (d) |
Hours of operation, Commercial restriction, Noise, Tents, Parking, and Motor vehicles Use |
What is the application fee for a Special Use License?
The application fee is regulated through RCSA §§ 23-26-8 and the 2009 Public Act No. 09-3, section 391 and is determined by the entity applying for a Special Use License permit. The application fee is non-refundable.
| Entity Type | Application Fee | Entity Requirements |
| Public Institutions | $0.00 | This category includes public sector organizations such as federal and state agencies, municipalities, public schools, etc. |
| Nonprofit Organizations & Events | $50.00 |
This category includes all tax-exempt nonprofit organization or events from which 100% of the net proceeds will be allocated to a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. For-profit organizations or companies are excluded from this category. |
| All Other Organizations & Events (Commercial Use) | $625.00 | This category includes for-profit organizations engaged in profitable pursuits (i.e., commercial activity or private gain), and all events or activities that do not qualify for the nonprofit organization and event category above. |
| This category also includes all itinerant food vendors such as Mobile Food Trucks, Mobile Food Carts, Ice Cream Trucks, etc. |
What is the deadline to submit an application?
Applications should be submitted and paid for with no less than 45-business days (approximately 60 calendar days) prior to a proposed use. Special Use License applications are reviewed by multiple departments up to multiple agencies, and require adequate time to be fully reviewed.
We understand that 45-business days is not always a feasible timeline, and always encourage anyone interested in special use to connect with the Special Use Coordinator at deep.specialuse@ct.gov to discuss the details of your request and if it can be accommodated.
Here is a brief overview of the application timeline to better understand the 45 business day minimum window:
- 2-5 business days - application is submitted to the Central Permit Processing Unit and the respective application fee is paid for.
- 2-5 business days - application is assigned to the Special Use Coordinator (SUC) who reviews application for accuracy and completeness.
- 15 business days - application is distributed to a field team based on the location and proposed use for review.
- 10 business days - SUC connects with the applicant to review any concerns, questions or a required staffing component as brought up by the field team, and to request any additional documentation as needed.
- 10-15 business days - Once the field review and applicant review is complete, the SUC compiles the license and submits it to the appropriate party for final review and signature. Once approved, SUC will execute the license and distribute to the applicant.
Is insurance required for a Special Use License?
Yes! The applicant for a Special Use License must obtain, at it's own cost and for the duration of any executed license, commercial general liability insurance which meets the State's requirements. The Agency can accept an event application and initiate a review before requiring evidence of valid insurance by way of a Certificate of Insurance (COI). A license will not be issued without a COI meeting the State's requirements.
The State's Requirements for Insurance are provided in the Special Use application.
Is insurance for Itinerant Vending (Mobile Food Vending) different?
Yes! The insurance requirements for Itinerant Vending application are different than for an event, and a valid COI is required at the time of application submission.
The State's Requirements for Itinerant Vending Commercial General Liability Insurance are provided in the Special Use: Itinerant Vending application.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has the authority under CGS 23-11 to authorize Mobile Food Service Facilities through the Special Use License for Itinerant Vending application process to provide seasonal food and beverage concession services at specific State Parks which does not conflict with a contracted concessionaire.
2026 Concessionaire services are offered at the following locations and no Mobile Food Service Facility will be authorized through the Special Use License process:
- Hammonasset Beach State Park
- Rocky Neck State Park
- Sherwood Island State Park
- Silver Sands State Park
If you are interested in operating a Mobile Food Service Facility at a specific State Park, please review the details below and connect with the Special Use Coordinator via DEEP.SpecialUse@ct.gov .
| Requirements | 1- Application and respective application fee of $625.00 |
| 2- A valid registration certificate for the motor vehicle to be licensed. | |
| 3- A valid motor vehicle operator's license for the primary driver. | |
| 4- A valid food service license from an applicable Health District for the State Park location vending will occur in. | |
| 5- A Certificate of Insurance for a General Commercial Liability insurance policy, Worker's Compensation Insurance, and Automobile Liability Insurance. | |
| Helpful Information | A license arising from an application for Itinerant Vending will be valid for one vehicle at one State Park, identified by its motor vehicle registration certificate. |
| A State Park may have more than one designated vendor space. The number of designated vendor spaces determines the number of Itinerant Vending Licenses available at a State Park; not all State Parks are available for Itinerant Vending. | |
| Events requesting to have a mobile food truck operate as part of their event may request authorization through the Event Special Use License application process. The mobile food truck will be considered a vendor of the event for licensing purposes. | |
