Streetwork and Excavation Bond - City of Fresno, CA in California

Brief Summary

Fresno will not issue a street work permit until this bond is on file. One $25,000 bond covers every permit you pull while it stays in force, so a contractor who digs in city streets regularly files it once and keeps working instead of bonding job by job.

Anyone who excavates, trenches, cuts pavement or builds curb, gutter, sidewalk or driveway approaches in a Fresno public street needs a street work permit, and the permit requires a corporate surety bond payable to the City of Fresno. The Public Works fee schedule sets the minimum at $25,000, and Fresno Municipal Code 13-206 also requires bonds on file equal to 100% of the estimated cost of the proposed work, so larger jobs can push the total above the minimum.

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How to Apply for a Streetwork and Excavation Bond:

• Estimate the cost of the street work so you know whether the $25,000 minimum covers 100% of it.
• Have the legal business name exactly as it will appear on the street work permit application.
• Owner name, address and Social Security number for the credit review.
• Get the bond issued on the City of Fresno Streetwork and Excavation Bond form.
• File the signed bond with Public Works along with the permit application, fees and insurance certificate.
• Keep the bond in force. It runs at least one year and continues until canceled on 30 days notice.

Detailed Information About the California Streetwork and Excavation Bond:

Who needs it

Fresno Municipal Code 13-202 bars anyone from excavating, digging a trench, removing curb, gutter, sidewalk or pavement, or installing driveway approaches, pipelines, conduit and similar items in a public street, alley or sidewalk without a permit from the Director of Public Works. The permit is issued only after the bond and insurance are on file. Street work permits are handled by the Traffic and Engineering Services Division.

How much

Section 13-206 says the bond amount is set in the Master Fee Resolution. The current Public Works fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026, lists a minimum performance bond of $25,000 for street work permits, whether or not the work involves sidewalks, curbs, gutters or driveway approaches. The same code section requires the applicant to have one or more bonds on file equal to 100% of the estimated cost of the proposed work. For a small job the $25,000 minimum covers it. For a bigger job, expect the city to ask for more.

What the bond promises

The city's bond form covers all permits issued to the principal from time to time. If the principal fails to comply with Article 2 of Chapter 13 after notice from the Director, the city can have the work done and recover the cost, plus any unpaid engineering, inspection and staking charges, from the surety up to the bond amount. Reasonable attorney's fees are also recoverable if the city sues on the bond.

Term and cancellation

The bond runs at least one year and stays in effect until canceled. Cancellation takes 30 days written notice to the Director. Notices go to Traffic and Engineering Services, 2600 Fresno Street, Room 4019, Fresno, CA 93721.

When it is not required

No permit is needed for work under a contract let by the City Council. The Director may waive the bond if you already have a valid performance bond with the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District on the same conditions and in at least the same amount. Work done as part of the first installation of subdivision improvements already secured by a subdivision agreement bond does not need this bond either.

Insurance is separate

Section 13-207 requires a separate certificate of liability insurance naming the city, with limits of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. The bond does not replace it.

Eligibility and Requirements for a California Streetwork and Excavation Bond:

• Corporate surety authorized to do business as a surety in California.
• City of Fresno named as obligee.
• Minimum bond of $25,000, with total bonds on file equal to 100% of the estimated cost of the work.
• Bond approved by the City Attorney.
• Separate liability insurance certificate meeting FMC 13-207 limits.

California Streetwork and Excavation Bond FAQs:

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