Excavation Lateral Support Permit Bond - City of Los Angeles, CA in California

Brief Summary

A lateral support bond on a Los Angeles shoring permit is held for two years after final inspection, which is a long time to leave cash with the city. A surety bond in the amount of the Bureau of Engineering estimate gets the E-Permit issued and keeps that money in your project.

Excavating on private property next to a Los Angeles street, where the dig imperils lateral support of the street or anything in it, takes an Excavation E-Permit from the Bureau of Engineering under LAMC 62.02. The shoring permit requires a cash bond or surety bond in an amount set by BOE through its bond estimate. The lateral support bond is not released until two years after the Bureau of Contract Administration's final inspection, and footing excavations of two feet or less do not need the E-Permit at all.

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How to Apply for a Excavation Lateral Support Permit Bond:

• Confirm the excavation needs an E-Permit. Footing excavations of two feet or less are excepted.
• Apply online for an Excavation E-Permit with Shoring (Lateral Support) as the purpose.
• Get the bond amount from the BOE bond estimate prepared during plan check.
• Choose a cash bond or a surety bond and have the surety issue it for the estimated amount.
• Provide the building permit application, title document, $1,000,000 liability insurance proof and plans.
• Plan to keep the bond in force for two years after final inspection, then request release in writing.

Detailed Information About the California Excavation Lateral Support Permit Bond:

What triggers the bond

The Bureau of Engineering issues Excavation E-Permits to applicants who excavate on private property adjacent to a public street where lateral support to the street, or to improvements or property within it, is imperiled by the excavation. Shoring and walls affecting lateral support, including tiebacks, fall under this permit. BOE lists LAMC 62.02 through 62.06 and LAMC 91.3307, Protection of Adjoining Property, as the governing code. Under LAMC 91.3307.3.1.2, no lateral support E-Permit is required for footing excavations two feet deep or less.

How much

There is no flat amount. BOE plan check staff prepare a bond estimate for the job using the Excavation Bond Estimate tool, itemizing the work and quantities. The BOE Bond Control group then prepares the bond. The applicant may post a cash bond or a surety bond for that amount. Ask the district office for the estimate before ordering the bond.

What else the permit takes

The shoring application lists a copy of the building permit application, a grant deed or title policy, proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance on file with the City Administrative Officer, a full set of plans and the E-Permit and work order fees. Projects over 1,000 square feet are charged actual cost, with deposits collected up front. Tiebacks in the public right of way carry their own fees under LAMC 62.05.

How long the bond stays in place

BOE's bond release guidelines hold a lateral support bond until two years after the Bureau of Contract Administration's final inspection of the E-Permit. Other E-Permit bonds, such as soil boring and street light relocation, release at final inspection. To get the lateral support bond back, the owner sends a written release request to the district office. Staff confirm the permit is final, the hold period has run and no work order deficiencies remain, then route it to Bond Control.

Who is the obligee

The City of Los Angeles, through the Bureau of Engineering. The surety must be acceptable to the city, and the bond must match the permit and property owner on the E-Permit application.

Eligibility and Requirements for a California Excavation Lateral Support Permit Bond:

• City of Los Angeles named as obligee.
• Bond amount equal to the Bureau of Engineering bond estimate.
• Cash bond or surety bond, processed through BOE Bond Control.
• Proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance on file with the City Administrative Officer.
• Bond held two years after final inspection before release.

California Excavation Lateral Support Permit Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the California Excavation Lateral Support Permit Bond: