UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE

Guidelines for Conducting an Event on United States Capitol Grounds

United States Capitol Police Special Events Section

119 D Street NE, Room 101

Washington, DC 20510

Office: (202) 224-8891 / Fax: (202) 228-2429

Office Hours: M–F, 0700–1800

Watch Commander: (202) 225-0908 (25 hours)

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The guidelines described below, in accordance with the Traffic Regulations for U.S. Capitol 

Grounds, are to ensure that events held inside the boundaries of U.S. Capitol Grounds are 

conducted in a manner that protects public health and safety, yet ensures that the Congressional 

community can fulfill its legislative responsibility. 

Demonstration Activity is defines as: Any demonstrating, parading, picketing, speech making, 

holding of vigils, sit-ins, or other activities conducted for the purpose of demonstrating 

approval or disapproval of governmental policies or practices (or the lack thereof), expressing 

a view on public issues, or bringing into public notice any issue or other matter. 

Demonstration activity is allowed in designated areas as indicated on Appendix B: “United 

States Capitol Grounds Demonstration Areas Map.” 

The U.S. Capitol Grounds must be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as 

applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. As such, any sponsoring person and/or organization 

that is granted a permit to engage in a demonstration or other organized activity on U.S. Capitol 

Grounds shall maintain and not block in any way all accessible routes (pedestrian walkways). 

Further, the sponsoring person and/or organization agrees to provide all people with disabilities 

equal access to the activity as required by the ADA. 

Prohibited Areas: Groups of any size are prohibited from demonstrating in the following areas: 

1. Inside any Congressional Buildings

2. On the steps of the United States Capitol

3. On the steps of any building on Capitol Grounds

4. In any area otherwise closed or restricted for official use

5. In roadways or any area routinely used for vehicular traffic

6. Prohibited areas as identified in the “United States Capitol Grounds Demonstration

Areas Map”

The following conditions apply to all activities occurring on U.S. Capitol Grounds and permitted 

by the Capitol Police Board, to ensure: 

1. The safety and convenience of all people who exercise their First Amendment right to

free expression.

2. The safety and convenience of all people visiting Congressional Office Buildings as well as

the U.S. Capitol Buildings and Grounds.

3. The orderly conduct of Congressional business.

Applications:

1. Application to engage in a demonstration or other organized activity on U.S. Capitol

Grounds may be submitted in the following manner:

a. By mail to the:

U.S. Capitol Police Special Events Section Room 

102, USCP Headquarters 

119 D Street NE 

Washington, DC 20510 
UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE

Guidelines for Conducting an Event on United States Capitol Grounds

United States Capitol Police Special Events Section

119 D Street NE, Room 101

Washington, DC 20510

Office: (202) 224-8891 / Fax: (202) 228-2429

Office Hours: M–F, 0700–1800

Watch Commander: (202) 225-0908 (25 hours)

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NOTE: Mail may be delayed up to two (2) weeks due to security procedures. 

b. In person to the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Special Events Section at the address

listed above, between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday

c. By fax to (202) 228-2429

Timeliness of Application: Applications must be submitted at least FIVE (5) business days in 

advance of the activity to guarantee processing. Applications will be accepted up to one (1) year in 

advance. Additionally, demonstration applications must satisfy all requirements stated herein before 

processing can be completed; therefore, it is imperative that the spokesperson responds promptly to

all queries from the Special Events Coordinator. 

Number of Participants: Public safety, primarily based on the amount of space available in the 

chosen area, will dictate the maximum number of participants allowed in the event. Groups of thirty 

(30) persons or less do not require a permit; however, they are encouraged to notify USCP in

advance of the demonstration activity so that available space can be fairly and appropriately

allocated. An approved permit will give you or your group priority over a

subsequent application by another person or group, or a group demonstrating without a permit.

Duration of Activity: Permitted activity may not exceed twenty-four (24) consecutive hours, or

seven (7) consecutive days, including time for set-up and clean-up. When completing the 

application, spokespersons should include set-up and clean-up time in the time requested.

Signs, Banners, and Placards: Signs, banners, and placards are permitted as a part of a 

permitted activity. All supports for these items must not exceed 3⁄4 of an inch at their largest

point, have dull ends, and cannot in any way be construed as a weapon. There can be no nails, 

screws, or bolt-type fasteners protruding from the supports. The following activity is prohibited

by law:

1. Offering any item for sale

2. Soliciting contributions

3. Any form of advertising

NOTE: Any display of signs, banners, placards, and related items is strictly prohibited inside

all Congressional Buildings.

Props and Equipment: Props, equipment, and other movable facilities reasonably necessary 

for, and integral to, the activity shall be permitted, provided that prior notice is given on the 

application and the size, location, and structure of the items conforms to the reasonable 

conditions, limitations, and restrictions provided for by the Capitol Police Board. These include, 

but are not limited to: 

1. Chairs

2. Tables

3. Stages, risers, and platforms (maximum 2 feet in height)

4. Audio/visual equipment (maximum extension is 13.5 feet wide by 9 feet high)

5. Other props and equipment (maximum of fifteen (15) feet in height)
UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE

Guidelines for Conducting an Event on United States Capitol Grounds

United States Capitol Police Special Events Section

119 D Street NE, Room 101

Washington, DC 20510

Office: (202) 224-8891 / Fax: (202) 228-2429

Office Hours: M–F, 0700–1800

Watch Commander: (202) 225-0908 (25 hours)

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The USCP reserves the right to limit the size, nature, and scope of props and equipment for reasons of 

safety and security. At no time will props or equipment be left unattended. 

Shelters: The setting up, placement, or storage of a shelter (of any kind), or storage of camping 

equipment, tents, sleeping bags, bedrolls, or bedding is prohibited at all times. 

Temporary Structures: Temporary structures of any kind may not be erected on Capitol Grounds. 

This includes tents, cabanas, canopies, and all other types of covered or enclosed structures. No 

objects shall be tied, nailed, stapled, affixed, fastened, or suspended to any tree, pole, or other 

landscape or architectural feature on Capitol Grounds. 

Sound Amplification Equipment: Sound amplification is permitted. However, the sound must 

be controlled so that it does not disrupt the orderly business of the Congress or unreasonably

disturb other persons who are exercising their First Amendment rights or those who are 

visiting the Capitol Grounds. All sound equipment must be furnished by the applicant and 

positioned so as to face away from the U.S. Capitol and all Congressional Office Buildings. 

Electrical power for sound equipment is available in the West Front Grassy Area and the Upper 

Senate Park. (See map attached to application.) 

Distribution of Literature: Literature may be distributed to interested persons, at no charge, 

as a part of a permitted activity. Distribution of literature is prohibited inside the U.S. Capitol 

and all Congressional Office Buildings. Literature cannot contain promotional advertisements or 

solicitation. 

Solicitation: It is prohibited at all times to offer any item for sale; or solicit fares, alms, or 

contributions; or display any form of advertising on Capitol Grounds. 

Condition of Grounds: Immediately upon the scheduled conclusion of a permitted activity, all 

props, equipment, and facilities must be removed from Capitol Grounds. The spokesperson shall 

take such action as may be necessary so as to leave the space utilized by the activity in the same 

condition which existed immediately prior to the commencement of the activity. 

It is prohibited at any time to climb, remove, or in any way injure any statue, seat, wall, fountain, 

light poles, elevator towers, or other erection or architectural feature, or any tree, shrub, or 

landscaping feature within the Capitol Grounds. No person may stand or otherwise enter upon 

any of the Capitol Visitor Center skylights, fountains, planters, walls, surface level air grates, and 

generators. In addition, projecting of images on any building on Capitol Grounds shall not be 

permitted.

Marches: Marches are permitted to pass through Capitol Grounds provided the march does not 

disrupt the orderly business of Congress or impede the equal access by others to the U.S. Capitol 

and all Congressional Office Buildings. When applying, applicants must identify the specific 

march route requested and also must provide a copy of a corresponding permit issued by either 
UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE

Guidelines for Conducting an Event on United States Capitol Grounds

United States Capitol Police Special Events Section

119 D Street NE, Room 101

Washington, DC 20510

Office: (202) 224-8891 / Fax: (202) 228-2429

Office Hours: M–F, 0700–1800

Watch Commander: (202) 225-0908 (25 hours)

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the Metropolitan Police Department or the National Park Service. Marchers will be required to 

remain on sidewalks and obey all traffic signals and signs. 

Official Functions of the Congress: In the event an official function of Congress is scheduled 

that conflicts with an already permitted activity, participants of the activity must clear the 

affected area prior to the start of the Congressional function, but may return in keeping with the 

permit guidelines after the function has concluded or departed Capitol Grounds. 

Filming and Photography: The use of camera equipment to film or photograph on Capitol Grounds 

for private or other non-commercial use is permitted. Non-commercial documentary or historical 

filming is also permitted on a case-by-case basis. The use of tripods or other film or photography 

enhancement equipment is limited to grassy areas where pedestrian or vehicular traffic will not be 

impeded. 

Commercial filming/photography is only allowed in specified areas of Capitol Grounds and must 

be preceded by submission of an application for a permit to engage in commercial filming/

photography through the USCP Office of Special Events. Once a request for commercial 

filming/photography has received preliminary approval, a monetary fee for each date specified 

in the application will be required prior to the issuance of the permit. This fee is payable to the 

Architect of the Capitol at the following website: Pay.gov. 

Races: Foot and bike races are permitted to pass through Capitol Grounds on Sundays only. 

Races must be conducted on one of the five pre-determined routes and must conform to the 

reasonable conditions, limitations, and restrictions set by the Capitol Police Board. Races shall 

only pass through Capitol Grounds once; there will be no re-tracing of the route on Capitol 

Grounds. The solicitation, collection, or transfer of monies (including but not limited to 

registration fees, as well as the display or use of commercial logos or related advertising or 

signage) is prohibited at all times on Capitol Grounds. 

Musical Presentations: Musical presentations are not considered “demonstrations,” however, 

can be permitted in the Upper Senate Park. On weekends, musical presentations are also 

allowed on the West Front as long as Congress is not in session. Musical presentations are to be

small in scale events, such as school band presentations. 

Sleeping or Lying Down: Sleeping or lying down is prohibited at all times on any paved or 

improved area including, but not limited to, streets, roads, sidewalks, steps, curbs, gutters, 

doorways, alcoves, and walls. Sleeping or lying down is prohibited on any unimproved (grassy) 

area of the Capitol Grounds from one-half (1⁄2) hour after sunset to one-half (1⁄2) hour before 

sunrise. 

Parking: There are no parking or staging areas available for private automobiles, buses, or other 

vehicles on Capitol Grounds. Buses may utilize Garfield Circle, at the intersection of First Street and 

Maryland Avenue SW, or Union Station at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, to drop off passengers. 
UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE

Guidelines for Conducting an Event on United States Capitol Grounds

United States Capitol Police Special Events Section

119 D Street NE, Room 101

Washington, DC 20510

Office: (202) 224-8891 / Fax: (202) 228-2429

Office Hours: M–F, 0700–1800

Watch Commander: (202) 225-0908 (25 hours)

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Prohibited Items: The following items are prohibited at all times on Capitol Grounds: any firearm, 

explosive, club, missile, chemical, or other incendiary device or other weapon. It is also prohibited to use 

or display any open flame including, but not limited to, ignited candles, torches, lanterns, or lamps. 

Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are permitted.