First Amendment Permits

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Presidio Trust respects and protects the peaceful exercise of these rights, while complying with our obligation to safeguard park visitors and resources and manage the park’s assets.

First Amendment Permits in Presidio Area B

The Presidio Trust requires a permit for most First Amendment activities in order to establish the location, time, number of participants, and other general conditions under which such events may occur. The content of First Amendment activities is not regulated, and the opinions expressed by permittees do not necessarily reflect the vision, mission, and/or policy of the Presidio Trust.

Please email us at outdoorevents@presidiotrust.gov to obtain an application or if you have questions or comments related to First Amendment permits.

When a Permit is Required in Presidio Area B

A permit is required for First Amendment activities that meet any of the following criteria:

• Groups larger than 25 participants
• Utilizes significant equipment including generators, platforms, tents, amplified sound, etc.
• Would like a guarantee of priority use of a specific location
• Requesting an area not designated as a First Amendment area in the Presidio Trust compendium (see Exhibit 4, p. 40)

A group of 25 people or less is not required to obtain a First Amendment permit if they do not meet the criteria above, but they are encouraged to get one as a permit will prevent another group from reserving the area.

Examples of First Amendment activities include:

• Religious services
• Political speeches
• Press conferences
• Voter registration drives
• Picketing, assembly, or rally expressing opinions and views
• Leafletting

Type of activities not covered by the First Amendment include:

• Picnics
• Social gatherings
• Wedding ceremonies or receptions
• Political fundraisers or other invitation-only political activities or events
• Solicitations of donations without a permit
• Community parades, athletics, or sporting events

First Amendment permits are issued at no cost to the permittee. Many of the activities not covered by the First Amendment can be accommodated through a Special Use Permit for which costs will be charged.

First Amendment Permits in Presidio Area A

The National Park Service Special Park Uses Group (SPUG) manages the permitting process for First Amendment activities in Presidio Area A, including Crissy Field.