U.S. National Arboretum — Rules for Visitors and Facility Use
Legal Authority
- 20 U.S.C. § 196 — Establishes the U.S. National Arboretum in the District of Columbia under USDA control; authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to administer the arboretum for research, education, and public enjoyment
- 40 U.S.C. §§ 121, 1315 — Federal property management authority; authorizes agencies to prescribe conduct rules for federal facilities and grounds
- 7 CFR Part 500 — USDA Agricultural Research Service regulations governing visitor conduct, facility use, and operations at the National Arboretum
Key Mechanics
7 CFR Part 500 establishes conduct rules and facility-use requirements for the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., operated by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The arboretum spans approximately 446 acres and serves dual purposes: a public botanical garden open to visitors and a federal research facility for plant science, horticulture, and tree breeding under 20 U.S.C. § 196. Part 500 governs: visitor hours and access (the arboretum is open to the public daily except December 25); prohibitions on picking plants, disturbing wildlife, or removing specimens; rules for commercial photography and filming (require prior permit from ARS); facility rental for events (available by permit through the National Arboretum's facilities office); vehicle access (roads through the arboretum are open to vehicular traffic during operating hours); and prohibited conduct (solicitation, advertising, disorderly conduct, damage to property). The arboretum hosts nationally significant collections including the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and the National Herb Garden. Violations of Part 500 are subject to civil penalties under federal property management statutes.
Current Rule (2026)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Citation | 7 CFR Part 500 |
| Issuing agency | USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) |
| Statutory authority | 20 U.S.C. § 196; 40 U.S.C. § 121; 40 U.S.C. § 1315 |
| Last major amendment | No recent Federal Register amendments |
What This Rule Does
The U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) in Washington, D.C. is a federal research and public garden facility operated by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Part 500 sets the conduct rules for everyone on USNA property and establishes a fee schedule for facility rentals and commercial photography.
The rule covers two things that matter to most visitors and event planners: what you can and cannot do on the grounds (Subpart A), and what it costs to rent facilities or film commercially (Subpart B). These rules apply to everyone — visitors, contractors, and tenants alike. The General Services Administration delegated protective authority over the Arboretum to the Secretary of Agriculture, who passed it to the ARS Administrator.
Violations of the conduct rules can result in a fine under 18 U.S.C. or up to 30 days in jail. The rules run alongside, not in place of, District of Columbia law.
Key Provisions
- § 500.1 — Rules cover all USNA buildings and grounds; apply to every person on site
- § 500.2 — After-hours access requires authorization; security may ask for ID or sign-in
- § 500.3 — No destroying, damaging, or taking USNA property; no open fires without Director approval; no biological agents (plant diseases, pests) without written permission
- § 500.4 — Must obey posted signs and instructions from authorized security personnel
- § 500.5 — No loitering, disorderly conduct, offensive language, or music audible outside USNA
- § 500.6 — No gambling of any kind, including lotteries and betting pools
- § 500.7 — No alcohol or narcotics; alcohol allowed only at events with Director approval and under D.C. law
- § 500.8 — No soliciting, commercial selling, petitioning, or distributing handbills without prior approval; exceptions for federal charity drives and employee bulletin boards
- § 500.9 — News photography is allowed without prior approval; commercial photography requires advance Director approval
- § 500.10 — Pets must be vaccinated and leashed; no releasing animals or plants on grounds
- § 500.11 — Vehicles must stay on roads; unauthorized parking may result in towing at owner's expense
- § 500.12 — No weapons, explosives, or fireworks on USNA property
- § 500.13 — USNA must comply with USDA nondiscrimination rules
- § 500.14 — The ARS Administrator may grant written exceptions on a case-by-case basis
- § 500.15 — Violations punishable by fine or up to 30 days imprisonment under 18 U.S.C.
Fee Schedule for Facility Use
- § 500.20 — Fees apply to any temporary use of facilities or grounds, including commercial shoots
- § 500.21 — Tram tours: $4.00/adult, $3.00/senior or Friend of USNA, $2.00/child under 17; pre-scheduled group tram $125; guided non-tram tour guide $50/hour; payment due one week before scheduled tour
- § 500.22 — Event rentals: half-day (≤4 hours) or full-day rates; 50% non-refundable deposit at reservation, remaining 50% due five working days before event; refundable damage deposit of $500–$2,000 depending on event fee; wedding ceremonies and receptions restricted to the Dogwood Collection
- § 500.23 — Commercial photography/film: $30 non-refundable application fee; $40/hour per security officer; Director may waive fees for First Amendment activity or USNA mission-related projects
- § 500.24 — Daily site rental fees range from $1,500 to $15,000; filming rates from $1,500 (crew of 45) to $3,900 (crew of 200); personal-use still photography is free
How It Affects You
If you visit the Arboretum, the rules are what you'd expect at any federal public space: no weapons, no alcohol without approval, leash your pets, obey signs, and don't take or damage anything. Commercial users — photographers, filmmakers, event planners — face a more structured process. You need advance approval and must pay both facility fees and security supervision costs.
Event planners should note that alcohol approvals are unlikely when the Arboretum is open to the public, and that weddings are limited to the Dogwood Collection. Items left on site after 5:00 p.m. the day after the event trigger a $500/day storage charge. After-hours events add $40/hour per staff or security person required.
The ARS Administrator can grant individual exceptions in writing, but only before the relevant rule would otherwise apply and only when the exception is not against the public interest.
Statutory Authority
This rule implements:
- 20 U.S.C. § 196 — Specific authority for the National Arboretum and its operation under USDA
- 40 U.S.C. § 121 — GSA authority to issue orders protecting federal property, delegated here to Agriculture
- 40 U.S.C. § 1315 — Federal protective authority over federal buildings and grounds
Recent Rulemakings
No major amendments reported in the Federal Register since Part 500 was established. Fee schedules and facility rates have not been updated via rulemaking in recent years.