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Title 36 — Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73

§503 Use of reservations, grounds, and public spaces

Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle I— - Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies › Part Part A— - Observances and Ceremonies › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL CEREMONIES › § 503

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior may let the Inaugural Committee use federal reservations or grounds in D.C. during the inaugural period and for a reasonable time before and after, if the officer in charge approves. The D.C. Mayor can do the same for public space they control. Permits can set conditions. Viewing stands or booths for selling food or goods can be built only if both the Inaugural Committee and the Secretary or Mayor approve. After the event, used areas must be returned quickly to how they looked before. The Inaugural Committee must protect and pay for any loss, damage, or legal claims against the District of Columbia or the proper U.S. department or agency that come from its use of the space or from anyone it licenses.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §503

Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)With the approval of the officer having jurisdiction over any of the Federal reservations or grounds in the District of Columbia, the Secretary of the Interior may grant to the Inaugural Committee a permit to use the reservations or grounds during the inaugural period, including a reasonable time before and after the inaugural period. The Mayor of the District of Columbia may grant a similar permit to use public space under the Mayor’s jurisdiction. Each permit granted under this subsection is subject to conditions the grantor of the permit prescribes.
(b)A reviewing stand or a stand or structure for the sale of merchandise, food, or drink may be built on public grounds in the District of Columbia only if approved by the Inaugural Committee and by the Secretary or the Mayor, as appropriate.
(c)After the inaugural period, the reservation, ground, or public space occupied by a stand or structure shall be restored promptly to its prior condition.
(d)The Inaugural Committee shall indemnify and save harmless the District of Columbia and the appropriate department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government against any loss or damage to, and against any liability arising from the use of, the reservation, ground, or public space, by the Inaugural Committee or a licensee of the Inaugural Committee.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 503(a)36:724 (1st, 2d sentences).Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 974, § 4, 70 Stat. 1049. 36:730.Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 974, § 10, as added Jan. 30, 1968, Pub. L. 90–251, § 4, 82 Stat. 4. 503(b)36:724 (3d sentence).36:730. 503(c)36:724 (4th sentence). 503(d)36:724 (last sentence). In subsection (a), the words “restrictions, terms, and” are omitted as unnecessary. The word “prescribes” is substituted for “imposed” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In subsection (b), the words “With respect to public space”, “goods, wares”, “sidewalk, street, park, reservation, or other”, and “depending on the location of such stand or structure” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (d), the words “department, agency, or instrumentality” are substituted for “agency” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “or agencies” are omitted because of 1:1.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 503

Title 36 — Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73