Rules and regulations

The rules and regulations of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site are contained in two documents:

1. Federal regulations covering all National Park Service lands are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 36, Chapter 1. 
2. In addition, regulations pertaining specifically to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site are contained in Superintendent's Compendium (PDF file, 168 KB). Please also refer to the Map for the Superintendent's Compendium (PDF file, 610 KB).

Below is a partial list of rules and regulations established to protect Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and its visitors.

• Pets are allowed in the park, but must be physically restrained at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet in length. Pets, except seeing-eye dogs, are prohibited in buildings and may not be tied to objects and left unattended.
• Pet excrement must be immediately collected by the pet handler and removed from the site or deposited in an appropriate waste container. 
• Littering and/or other dumping of refuse is prohibited. Use of park dumpsters for discarding household trash is prohibited.
• Recreational activities are prohibited in the Historic Core and Loop/ Gravesite Areas including, but not limited, to kite-flying, ball-playing, Frisbee-throwing, sledding, tobogganing, tubing, etc. 
• Motor vehicles and bicycles must remain on established paved roads and parking areas. Bicycles are prohibited from all park trails and sidewalks.
• All natural, cultural, and archeological resources are protected and may not be removed and/or disturbed.
• Relic hunting is prohibited. Possession of a metal detector in the park is unlawful.
• All areas of the park are closed to the consumption of alcoholic beverages except the picnic shelters and the Village Green. Open containers of alcohol are prohibited in motor vehicles.
• Hunting, trapping, touching, feeding, teasing, or otherwise disturbing wildlife or fish is prohibited.
• Weapons are unlawful unless temporarily rendered inoperable and/or packed, cased, or stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use.
• Picnicking is allowed only at the park Picnic Shelters and on the Village Green.
• Camping is prohibited. The use of motor homes or similar vehicles for the apparent purpose of overnight parking is considered camping.
• Loud playing of radios, tape recorders, musical instruments, CD players or other audio devices is prohibited. This also includes loud motor vehicles, motorized toys, generators, and other noise making devices.
• Roller skates, in-line skates, roller skis, skateboards, coasting vehicles, and similar devices are prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited in all park buildings.
• Property may not be left unattended longer than 24 hours.
• Found property must be turned in to the nearest Park Ranger or Visitor Center.

Violators are brought before the U.S. District Courts in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.