Current through September 24, 2024
(1)
Purpose.
This rule is promulgated for the purpose of establishing
entrance fees and parking fees to provide funding to maintain and improve the
quality of facilities and services offered to all patrons of Tennessee State
Parks System. It is the commissioner's intent that funds raised pursuant to
this part rule will remain exclusively within the Tennessee State Parks
System.
(2) Entrance Permit
Required.
All persons who enter a Designated Fee Area within the
Tennessee State Parks System must have a valid entrance permit. Permits may be
obtained at all Parks Visitor Centers and other locations designated by the
commissioner.
(3)
Designated Fee Area.
An area is a "Designated Fee Area" if the entrances to the
area are so posted. Such postings may include the portion of the calendar year
for which fees shall be charged and shall specify where entrance permits may be
obtained. Any person who fails to obtain a permit as directed shall be subject
to enforcement pursuant to Rule 0400-02-01-.04.
(4) Types of Permits.
(a) Complimentary Permit. Entrance permits
shall be provided free of charge to the following persons:
1. Any person taking part in an organized
tour or outing conducted for educational or scientific purposes related to the
resources of the area visited by bona fide institutions established for these
purposes. (Applicants for waiver of fees on this basis will be required to
provide documentation of their official recognition as educational or
scientific institutions by Federal, State or local government bodies and will
also be required to provide a statement as to the purposes of the visit
proposed. Waivers granted on this basis will include all participating students
and instructors, as well as accompanying non instructor chaperones;
2. Any person conducting State, local, or
Federal government business within any Designated Fee Area;
3. Any person who has not reached thirteen
(13) years of age; or
4. Any person
performing approved volunteer projects/work in a State park.
(b) Tennessee State Parks
Passport.
1. The Tennessee State Parks
Passport is valid for admission to any Designated Fee Area.
2. The charge for the Tennessee State Parks
Passport shall be determined by the Commissioner.
3. Except as provided in part 4 of this
subparagraph, the Tennessee State Parks Passport shall be valid for one year
from date of purchase.
4. For an
additional fee, not to exceed thirty (30) dollars, as determined by the
Commissioner, a Tennessee State Parks Passport that is purchased by a person
sixty-five (65) years of age or older shall be valid for the lifetime of that
person.
(c) Single-Visit
Permit.
1. A Single-Visit Permit shall be
required for all persons not admitted by a Complimentary Permit or Tennessee
State Parks Passport.
2. The charge
for the Single-Visit Permit shall not be more than two dollars ($2.00) per
person. In lieu of this per person charge, the commissioner may establish a per
vehicle charge. Any per vehicle charge established shall not exceed the total
charge that would result if all passengers in the vehicle were charged on a per
person basis.
3. A Single-Visit
Permit shall be valid at the Designated Fee Area for which the permit is
purchased during the same calendar day of purchase.
(5) Display and Nontransferability
of Entrance Permits.
(a) Every permit shall be
exhibited/displayed in the manner designated in the permit.
(b) Permits are nontransferable.
(6) Parking Fees.
(a) The Commissioner may charge a fee for the
privilege of parking motor vehicles on State Park property. Such parking fees
may be in addition to entrance fees.
1. The
parking fee for vehicles capable of carrying fifteen (15) passengers or less
shall range between one dollar ($ 1.00) and fifteen dollars ($15.00) per
day.
2. The parking fee for
vehicles capable of carrying more than fifteen (15) passengers shall range
between ten dollars ($ 10.00) and fifty dollars ($50.00) per day.
3. The Commissioner may establish weekly,
monthly, or annual parking fees that do not exceed the daily rates.
(b) Areas where a parking fee is
charged shall be clearly posted. The posted sign shall include the rate and
directions for making payment.
(7) Entrance Permits and Parking Fees
Distinguished from Recreation Use Fees.
Neither Entrance Fee Permits nor the payment of parking fees
authorizes the use of any facility for which a recreation use fee is charged.
These fees are in addition to all other fees (e.g., green fees, slip fees,
etc).
(8) The Commissioner
may waive all or part of any fees otherwise due under this rule if he finds
that such waiver is in the best interest of the park system. Such waivers may
include the grant of free access on dates selected by the Commissioner, reduced
group fees, special promotional fees, etc.
Authority: T.C.A. §§
4-5-201 et seq., 11-1-101 et seq.,
11-1-108 and 68-203-103.
