# 43 C.F.R. § 2932.5 (2026): Definitions

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_5

## Section

- **Citation:** 43 C.F.R. § 2932.5 (2026)
- **Heading:** Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 43 CFR: Public Lands: Interior / Chapter II: BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR / Part 2930: PERMITS FOR RECREATION ON PUBLIC LANDS / Subpart 2932: Special Recreation Permits for Commercial Use, Competitive Events, Organized Groups, and Recreation Use in Special Areas / § 2932.5: § 2932.5   Definitions.

## Text

Actual expenses
means money spent directly on the permitted activity. These may include costs of such items as food, rentals of group equipment, transportation, and permit or use fees. Actual expenses do not include the rental or purchase of personal equipment, amortization of equipment, salaries or other payments to participants, bonding costs, or profit.
Commercial use
means recreational use of the public lands and related waters for business or financial gain.
(1) The activity, service, or use is commercial if—
(i) Any person, group, or organization makes or attempts to make a profit, receive money, amortize equipment, or obtain goods or services, as compensation from participants in recreational activities occurring on public lands led, sponsored, or organized by that person, group, or organization;
(ii) Anyone collects a fee or receives other compensation that is not strictly a sharing of actual expenses, or exceeds actual expenses, incurred for the purposes of the activity, service, or use;
(iii) There is paid public advertising to seek participants; or
(iv) Participants pay for a duty of care or an expectation of safety.
(2) Profit-making organizations and organizations seeking to make a profit are automatically classified as commercial, even if that part of their activity covered by the permit is not profit-making or the business as a whole is not profitable.
(3) Use of the public lands by scientific, educational, and therapeutic institutions or non-profit organizations is commercial and subject to a permit requirement when it meets any of the threshold criteria in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition. The non-profit status of any group or organization does not alone determine that an event or activity arranged by such a group or organization is noncommercial.
Competitive use means
—
(1) Any organized, sanctioned, or structured use, event, or activity on public land in which 2 or more contestants compete and either or both of the following elements apply:
ragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition. The non-profit status of any group or organization does not alone determine that an event or activity arranged by such a group or organization is noncommercial.
Competitive use means
—
(1) Any organized, sanctioned, or structured use, event, or activity on public land in which 2 or more contestants compete and either or both of the following elements apply:
(i) Participants register, enter, or complete an application for the event;
(ii) A predetermined course or area is designated; or
(2) One or more individuals contesting an established record such as for speed or endurance.
Organized group activity
means a structured, ordered, consolidated, or scheduled event on, or occupation of, public lands for the purpose of recreational use that is not commercial or competitive.
Special area means:
(1) An area officially designated by statute, or by Presidential or Secretarial order;
(2) An area for which BLM determines that the resources require special management and control measures for their protection; or
(3) An area covered by joint agreement between BLM and a State under Title II of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a
et seq.
)
Vending
means the sale of goods or services, not from a permanent structure, associated with recreation on the public lands or related waters, such as food, beverages, clothing, firewood, souvenirs, photographs or film (video or still), or equipment repairs.

## Nearby sections

- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.5 (2026) § 2932.5   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_5.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.11 (2026) § 2932.11   When do I need a Special Recreation Permit?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_11.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.12 (2026) § 2932.12   When may BLM waive the requirement to obtain a permit?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_12.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.13 (2026) § 2932.13   How will I know if individual use of a special area requires a Special Recreation Permit?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_13.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.14 (2026) § 2932.14   Do I need a Special Recreation Permit to hunt, trap, or fish?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_14.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.21 (2026) § 2932.21   Why should I contact BLM before submitting an application?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_21.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.22 (2026) § 2932.22   When do I apply for a Special Recreation Permit?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_22.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.23 (2026) § 2932.23   Where do I apply for a Special Recreation Permit?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_23.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.24 (2026) § 2932.24   What information must I submit with my application?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_24.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.25 (2026) § 2932.25   What will BLM do when I apply for a Special Recreation Permit?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_25.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.26 (2026) § 2932.26   How will BLM decide whether to issue a Special Recreation Permit?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_26.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.31 (2026) § 2932.31   How does BLM establish fees for Special Recreation Permits?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_31.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.32 (2026) § 2932.32   When must I pay the fees?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_32.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2932.33 (2026) § 2932.33   When are fees refundable?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_33.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2930_S2932_5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
