(a) Application. The Access Permit application will be available for download or completion on the NYCDEP website and for pick-up at certain NYCDEP facilities in New York City, NYCDEP offices throughout the Watershed and such other locations as indicated on the NYCDEP website. No application fee is required.
(b) Required Information. An Access Permit application will require the following information:
(1) Applicant's name, mailing address, phone number, electronic mail address, and date of birth;
(2) Applicant's gender, height, eye color and hair color;
(3) Applicant's driver's license number and state of issuance, or non-driver's identification number and state of issuance, or IDNYC identification card, or any valid passport, or any school-issued identification;
(4) Acknowledgement of risks and waiver of liability;
(5) Applicant's signature and date of signature;
(6) Parent or legal guardian's signature and date of signature if applicant is between 16 and 17.
Information provided will be maintained by NYCDEP for agency purposes only.
(c) Access Permit Eligibility. All persons 18 years of age and older must complete an application for and receive, maintain and carry a valid Access Permit in order to enter Access Permit Areas (and must have the applicable NYSDEC hunting, fishing and/or trapping licenses as required by the NYSDEC Environmental Conservation Law as described in 15 RCNY § 16-12(f)) and Recreational Boating Areas for recreational purposes as defined in these Rules. Entry onto Access Permit Areas, without a valid Access Permit, Guest Pass, or appropriate accompaniment as described herein, is prohibited and shall be considered a trespass.
Persons aged 16 and 17 are eligible to apply for an Access Permit and must have the written consent of their parent or legal guardian indicated on their Access Permit application to obtain an Access Permit. Persons aged 16 and 17 years old who obtain a valid Access Permit may enter City Property for Recreational Activities without an adult.
(d) Other Access. All persons under 16 years of age may access City Property without an Access Permit or a Guest Pass for Recreational Uses but must be accompanied by a valid Access Permit holder aged 18 or older. A valid Access Permit holder aged 18 or older may accompany up to six (6) persons under the age of 16 and he or she is responsible for their conduct and safety and shall be liable for any of their violations of these Rules. Groups in excess of six (6) persons under the age of 16 require a Group Access Pass, signed by a parent or guardian as provided in 15 RCNY § 16-06.
(e) Internet Submission and Processing. The NYCDEP Access Permit application may be completed and submitted on the NYCDEP website. Access Permit issuance letters, Access Permits and corresponding Vehicle Tags may be printed directly from the NYCDEP website. NYCDEP is not responsible for electronic delivery errors or limitations of equipment and services not maintained by NYCDEP that may cause delays or prevent printing.
(f) Mail Submission and Processing. Completed Access Permit applications may be submitted by United States Postal Service ("USPS") mail to the address on the form. Accepted applications submitted by USPS mail shall be processed as follows:
An Access Permit issuance letter and Access Permit shall be generated and mailed with the corresponding Vehicle Tag generally within two weeks of receipt, except in unusual circumstances, directly to the address submitted on the application.
Addresses on any mailings returned to NYCDEP as undeliverable by the USPS will be verified for accuracy and re-mailed if necessary. Applicants are responsible for maintaining current, accurate contact information with NYCDEP. NYCDEP is responsible for USPS delivery errors or lost mail.
(g) Refusal. Rejected applications will be returned to the applicant, accompanied by a letter or e-mail identifying the reason(s) for refusal, generally within two weeks of application receipt, except in unusual circumstances, directly to the address submitted on the application. Within ten days of receipt of the communication, the applicant may send an appeal of NYCDEP's refusal to issue an Access Permit to the NYCDEP Deputy Chief of City Land Stewardship. Such appeal must include any relevant information pertaining to the basis for the refusal. Upon examination of the circumstances and generally within two weeks of receipt, the NYCDEP Deputy Chief City Land Stewardship will either uphold the refusal or revise its prior decision and issue an Access Permit upon such terms and conditions as may be appropriate. The applicant will be notified of NYCDEP's determination in writing. Grounds for refusal of an Access Permit include but are not limited to the following:
(1) Incomplete or illegible application;
(2) Failure to meet application eligibility requirements;
(3) Submission of false information.
(h) Term. An Access Permit is valid for five (5) years, or the period indicated thereon, if different, expiring on the permit holder's day and month of birth, unless revoked, suspended or altered by NYCDEP.
(i) Renewal. NYCDEP will send an Access Permit renewal application by electronic or USPS mail to the address on file for each valid Access Permit holder generally two months before the Access Permit expiration date. The Access Permit renewal application will require confirmation of the permit holder's information on file, as well as user survey questions, if any. Access Permit renewal processing will be as provided for in the initial application. Applicants may renew their Access Permits by returning the application by USPS mail or through the NYCDEP website.
(j) Replacement. To replace lost or destroyed Access Permits the permit holder must send a written request to NYCDEP by USPS, electronic mail or through the NYCDEP website. Electronically requested replacements may be printed immediately upon NYCDEP's approval, whereas replacements requested by USPS mail will generally be issued within two weeks of receipt of the request.
(k) Notifications. Notices to Access Permit holders will be sent to the address on record with NYCDEP. It is the Access Permit holder's responsibility to inform NYCDEP of any changes to the address and information submitted on a permit application or renewal form.
(l) Updating Contact Information. It is the Access Permit holder's responsibility to inform NYCDEP of any changes to the contact information submitted on his or her application or renewal form. Access Permit holders must notify NYCDEP in writing, either by electronic or USPS mail, of any such changes. Failure to do so may result in the Access Permit holder not receiving important notifications, such as Fishing or Recreational Boat Tag renewal notices, area closure notices or Access Permit renewal notices. Access Permit holders may use the Access Permit Update Form to submit contact changes or update their information on the NYCDEP website. This form is available for download from or completion on the NYCDEP website and for pick-up at certain NYCDEP facilities in New York City, NYCDEP offices throughout the Watershed and such other locations as indicated on the NYCDEP website.
(m) Transferability. An Access Permit is not transferable and may be used only by the person to whom it has been issued.
(n) Fishing and Recreational Boat Tags. NYCDEP may revoke an individual's Fishing or Recreational Boat Tag(s) upon Access Permit revocation or expiration.
(o) Limitation. All Access Permits and other permits and tags provided for in these rules are limited to the purposes and time periods for which they are issued, and convey no interest in or right over property of NYCDEP or the City.
(Added City Record 5/31/2019, eff. 6/30/2019)