Commercial Recreation Application: this covers all non-exclusive commercial recreation activities. Examples of commercial recreation include but are not limited to: guided hiking, guided kayaking, over-night backpacking trips, educational programs, transportation by
helicopter or bus etc. Please note: Although Big Game Guiding, Angle Guiding and One Day Events are not considered commercial recreation activities, please complete a Commercial Recreation Application form as this best reflects the information needed to process your application.
Film Production Application: this covers ALL commercial filming within provincial parks including still or motion photography on film or videotape regardless of the amount of time spent in the park (can be anywhere from less then an hour to multiple days).
Land Use/Occupancy Application: this covers all land use/occupancy that takes place within a park including but not limited to: structures, access roads or trails, utility rights-of-way, communication sites, forest harvesting, water storage, diversions, dams and other
miscellaneous land use. Please note: If you are applying for Trapping within a park please complete a Land Use/Occupancy Application form.
Research and Education Application: this covers research activity such as specimen collections, surveys, inventories and monitoring plots. PLEASE NOTE: Educational camps or programs DO NOT fall under a research and education permit application. Educational camps or
programs are considered commercial recreation and therefore you need to complete a Commercial Recreation Application. Research permits are limited to research projects undertaken to do one of the above activities (specimen collections, surveys etc.).
Park Use Permit Applications
Please see below for a list of our Park Use Permit Applications and Fee Schedule.
Requires the permittee to hold insurance with insurers licensed to do business in British Columbia or Canada.
The Province, its officers and servants must be added as additional insured under the policy with respect to the permittee's operations as authorized by the permit and the policy must also contain a cross-liability clause.
Only the Province of BC Certificate of Insurance form can be accepted, and it must be completed and signed by your insurance broker.
Address/Contact Information
Completed applications, accompanied by fees and supporting documents can be submitted to the Permit and Authorization Service Bureau via mail, courier, fax, Government Agent Office or Frontcounter BC:
Mail:
Ministry of Environment
PASB – Park Use Permits
PO Box 9371 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9M3
Courier:
Ministry of Environment
PASB – Park Use Permits
301-710 Redbrick Street
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9M3
Victoria: 952-0932
Toll Free in B.C.: 1-866-433-7272 (1-866-433-PASB)
Outside of B.C.: 1-250-952-0932
And press 3 to bypass the telephone tree
Questions regarding licencing requirements that are not addressed within these pages can be directed to the Permit and Authorization Service Bureau website or by writing to the above noted address, or calling our office as indicated above.
Making a Payment
The following forms of payment are accepted:
Visa
MasterCard
Certified cheque made out to the Minister of Finance
Personal cheque made out to the Minister of Finance
Money order made out to the Minister of Finance
Please do not make cheques or money orders out to Ministry of Environment, Permit and Authorization Service Bureau or Park Use Permits.
You can forward your cheque to the address located on the Address/Contact Information link
You can submit your VISA/MasterCard payment by phone, mail or fax, please see phone #’s located on the Address/Contact Information link
PLEASE NOTE: GST is not included in our application or permit fees listed in the Fee Schedule, please calculate this into the fee payment
Where can I get a complete list of B.C. Provincial Parks?
You can go to the BC Parks web site at http://www.bcparks.ca/ and click on "Find a Park" on the left side of the web page. The list of provincial parks includes information specific to each park, such as, types of recreational
activities allowed within each specific park.
How do I make a reservation in a campground?
Campsite reservations are handled by Discover Camping. You can make campsite reservations and find contact information for Discover Camping on their web site at http://www.discovercamping.ca/ or call
1-800-689-9025 (604-689-9025 in Greater Vancouver).
Do I need a Park Use Permit for private camping or a private hike within a Provincial Park?
As long as you are not a company or group organizing camping or hiking within a park and are not charging others to participate in this activity, you do not require a Park Use Permit. You can find out more information regarding activities allowed in Provincial Parks (such as hiking,
back country hiking, or camping) on BC Parks web site at http://www.bcparks.ca/. Follow this link and choose a specific park under "Find a Park".
Do I need a Park Use Permit to hold a group picnic within a Provincial Park for a school, company or other organization?
You do not need to apply for or obtain a Park Use Permit to hold a group picnic within a park as long as you are not charging people to participate in this event. HOWEVER please contact our office at 1-866-433-7272 ext. 3 or 250-952-0932 ext. 3 (outside BC) if you plan to hold a group
picnic within a Provincial Park, we can direct you to the area supervisor responsible for that specific park. The Area Supervisor should be aware of any large groups within the parks and can give you information about park conditions, closures etc.
Do I need a permit to hold a wedding ceremony within a Provincial Park?
You do not require a Park Use Permit to hold a wedding ceremony within a provincial park HOWEVER you do need permission from our Regional Office. Please contact our Victoria office at 1-866-433-7272 ext. 3 so that we can direct you to the appropriate Regional Office for the specific
park you are interested in.
How do you apply for a permit?
Step 1: Speak to the Area Supervisor for the specific park(s) you are interested in to confirm that your intended activity is allowed within the park. The Area Supervisors' contact information can be obtained from our office at 1-866-433-7272 ext. 3 or
250-952-0932 ext. 3 (outside BC).
Step 2: Obtain an application from our website under "applications"
Step 3: Complete the application form including ALL contact information AND answer ALL questions on page two of the application form.
Step 4: Send your application form to our Victoria office by mail at the address listed on the application OR by fax at 250-952-4346. Please ensure that you submit:
The complete application form including answers to ALL of the questions on the application form as well as any extra material or maps that are necessary for the Regional Office to review your proposal.
The application fee. To determine the application fee please refer to our Fee Schedule on our website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/applications/ (at the bottom of the webpage under "Park Use Permits" you will find the "Park Use Permit
Fees" link. If you do not know which application fee applies to your application please call our office at 1-866-433-7272 ext. 3 or 250-952-0932 ext. 3 (outside BC) and we will let you know. We do not process applications until we receive your application fee.
Do I need to supply proof of insurance with my application?
We do not require proof of valid insurance until your permit has been processed and we have sent it to you for signature. PLEASE NOTE – we will not validate any permit that requires insurance until we receive proof of valid insurance on the Province of BC Certificate of
Insurance form which can be found on our website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/applications/ under "Credit Cards and Insurance Forms".
What do I need to submit with my application?
In order for us to process your application we must receive both a complete application form (including a proposal that addresses ALL questions outlined on the application form) AND the correct application fee.
What are client day fees?
A "client day" means each client who the permitted operator commercially guides or takes into the park within any calendar day or portion thereof. For example, 4 individuals going on a 2 hour guided hike equals 4 client days; 2 persons going on a guided hike with an overnight
camping stay that begins at noon on one day and ends at noon the next day equals 4 client days; and one operator who manages 3 groups of 6 clients on 5-hour trail rides equals 18 client days.
Permit fees that include "client day fees" require the permittee to pay EITHER the minimum annual permit fee OR $1.06 per client day. Minimum annual permit fees are either included in your permit document or were included in a letter sent to you with your first invoice after new
permit fees came into effect in October 2004. If the number of clients you record in your reports exceed the minimum fee, you must pay $1.06 per client day. For example, if your permit fee is $250.00 per year or $1.00 per client day, and you recorded 47 clients on your annual
reports, you will pay $250.00 + GST. If your permit fee is $250.00 or $1.00 per client day and you recorded 357 clients on your annual reports, you will pay $357.00 + GST.
Can a permit be issued on a rush basis?
All of our permit applications indicate the maximum time allowed to evaluate a proposal and produce a permit document upon submission of a complete application. A complete application includes an application with ALL requested information filled in, a proposal of your activities if
required AND the proper application fee if required. Please see the application applicable to your activity.
Are permit fees, reports and insurance due on an annual basis if I hold a multi-year Park Use Permit?
Your permit document will outline all terms and conditions of your permit including when/if reports, insurance or permit fees are due. Please refer to your permit document for specific requirements.
What do I do if I want to change my permit, transfer my permit, renew my permit or cancel my permit?
Changes to Permit
If you wish to make any changes to your permit you must send our office a written request to do so either by mail or fax (information provided below), this includes but is not limited to changes to your address, contact name, permit area etc. All requested changes go to our
Regional Offices for review and approval. Most changes to a permit require a permit modification fee of $100.00 + GST for a minor change and $500.00 + GST for a major change. The Regional Office determines whether your requested change is minor or major.
Transfer of Permit
If you wish to transfer your permit from one person/company to another, you must submit a written request to do so to our office by mail or fax (information provided below). The permit that is being transferred must be in good standing before we will initiate the transfer. The
Regional Office has to review and approve all transfers and there is a required transfer fee of $250.00 + GST to be submitted with the request to transfer your permit.
*** If you are transferring a Park Use Permit for the purpose of Big Game Guiding, Angle Guiding or Trapping, the old permit must be in good standing and the new permittee must hold a valid guide licence, angle guiding licence or trapping licence respectively. If you have
questions about the above mentioned licences please call 1-866-433-7272 or 250-952-0932 (outside BC) and press 2 then 4 for guide licences, 1 then 1 for angling licences, and 2 then 5 for trapping licences.
NOTE: Commercial Recreation Permits cannot be transferred.
Renewal of Permit
If you wish to renew your permit please submit a written request to our Victoria office (contact information below). Please specify the term you wish to renew your permit for AND submit the permit renewal fee (50% of the application fee as set out in the Fee Schedule available on
our website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/applications/ under "Park Use Permits" and the "Park Use Permit Fees" link). If you do not know which renewal fee applies to your activity please call our office at 1-866-433-7272 ext. 3 or 250-952-0932
ext. 3 (outside BC) and we will let you know. Your permit must be in good standing before it can be renewed. All renewal requests are sent to our Regional Office who makes the final decision about renewing your permit, the Regional Office may request that you submit further
information regarding your activity.
*** If you have not received a renewal letter from us before your permit expires, please ensure that you submit a written request to renew your permit before the expiry date. Please note that we do not send renewal letters out for research permits or for permits
with less then a one year term.
Cancelling Permit
If you wish to cancel your Park Use Permit you must submit a request to do so to our Victoria office (information provided below). Please ensure that you specifically state that you would like your permit cancelled and please include the last date/season/year that you used the
park. If we do not receive a request for your permit to be cancelled, you will be required to pay your annual permit fees regardless of whether or not you used the park. If you choose to cancel your Park Use Permit, and you wish to continue your activity within the park in the
future, you must first pay all outstanding fees (if applicable) and apply for and obtain a new Park Use Permit.
All of the above requests may be submitted to our Victoria office
by fax at 250-952-4346 or by mail at:
Ministry of Environment
PASB – Park Use permits
301-710 Redbrick Street
PO Box 9371 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9M3
If you fall under one of the following categories you do qualify:
You are designated a "Person with Disabilities" (PWD) and receiving PWD benefits under the British Columbia provincial government Employment and Assistance Program.
You have a child registered through the "At Home Program" administered by the British Columbia provincial government, Ministry of Children and Family Development.
You are a person living on-reserve and receiving disability benefits from a First Nation Administering Authority.
***If you fall under any other type of assistance you do not qualify for a Disability Parking Pass (ex. Veterans, CPP Disability, WCB Disability)
If I fall under one of the eligible categories, what information do I need to supply to you?
If you are designated a "Person with Disabilities" you must submit the application form available on the BC Parks website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/fees/fees.html under "Parking Fees for Persons
with Disabilities" AND a signed Release of Information Form issued by the BC Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance AND a second piece of ID.
If you have a child registered through the "At Home Program" you must submit the application form available on the BC Parks website (link above) AND a current Letter of Eligibility from your caseworker, stating your child is eligible for the
"At Home Program" issued by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development AND a second piece of ID.
If you are receiving disability benefits from a First Nation Administering Authority you must submit an application form available on the BC Parks website (link above) AND a signed Release of Information form issued by a First Nation Administering Authority AND a second piece
of ID.
Please submit this information by fax at 250-952-4346 or mail at:
Ministry of Environment
PASB – Park Use Permits
301-710 Redbrick Street
PO Box 9371 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9M3
Can I get a Disability Camping Pass in order to camp for free in BC Parks?
No. HOWEVER your camping fees will be waived if you show the following documents to the Park Facility Operator at the park you are camping in:
If you are designated a "Person with Disabilities" you must show your signed Release of Information Form issued by the BC Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance AND a second piece of ID.
If you have a child registered through the "At Home Program" you must show a current Letter of Eligibility from your caseworker, stating your child is eligible for the "At Home Program" issued by the BC Ministry of Children and Family
Development AND a second piece of ID.
If you are receiving disability benefits from a First Nation Administering Authority you must show your signed Release of Information form issued by a First Nation Administering Authority AND a second piece of ID.
Do you replace Parking Passes or Disability Parking Passes if I have damaged or lost mine or if someone has stolen mine?
We do not replace lost or stolen Parking Passes or Disability Parking Passes. Damaged Parking Passes or Disability Parking Passes must be returned to us in order for a replacement pass to be issued.
