Demolition of Buildings or Structures Bond - Oakland, CA in California

Brief Summary

Oakland only asks for this $2,000 bond when the person pulling the demolition permit is not a contractor licensed by the CSLB to demolish buildings. If that is you, the bond is a small, quick filing that lets the Building Official release your permit without tying up $2,000 in a cashier's check for the length of the job.

Oakland Municipal Code 15.36.030 requires a $2,000 owner's completion bond, naming the City of Oakland as obligee, before a demolition permit is issued to a property owner or agent who does not hold a valid Contractors State License Board license to demolish buildings. The bond guarantees the demolition, debris removal and site restoration are finished under the permit conditions within 90 days of issuance.

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How to Apply for a Demolition of Buildings or Structures Bond:

• Confirm who is pulling the permit. If a CSLB licensed demolition contractor is the applicant, this owner's bond is not required.
• Check with the Building Official whether your structure falls under one of the 15.36.030 exemptions.
• Apply for a $2,000 bond with the property owner as principal and the City of Oakland as obligee.
• Pay the premium and receive the signed bond.
• File the bond with the Oakland Building Official before the demolition permit is issued.
• Finish demolition, debris removal and site restoration within 90 days of permit issuance, or request an extension.

Detailed Information About the California Demolition of Buildings or Structures Bond:

Who has to post it

The bond falls on the property owner, or the owner's agent, when that person does not hold a valid license from the Contractors State License Board to demolish buildings or structures. The owner signs as principal and the bond is filed with the Building Official before the permit issues. Oakland issues demolition permits to state licensed contractors with the right classification and a current Business Tax Certificate, and to owners or their legal representatives.

Amount and condition

Oakland Municipal Code 15.36.030 sets the bond at $2,000 with the City of Oakland as obligee. It guarantees that all work under the permit, including the demolition itself, debris removal and restoration of the premises, is completed in line with the permit within 90 days of the issue date. The Building Official can extend that deadline when circumstances justify it, but an extension does not release the surety or the owner.

Exemptions

When the Building Official authorizes it, no completion bond is needed to demolish a nonresidential, one story Type V building of 600 square feet or less, a Group M, Division 1 occupancy of Type V construction, or a small and unimportant structure.

Cash alternative

Instead of a surety bond, the owner may post a bond secured by a $2,000 certified or cashier's check payable to the City.

Other permit rules that catch owners

Chapter 15.36 generally requires at least five notices posted for 30 days within 300 feet of the property before a demolition permit issues, and in most cases a building permit for the replacement structure must be obtained first. Demolishing without a permit draws a $1,000 civil penalty per violation, plus $5,000 per living unit for residential buildings.

Eligibility and Requirements for a California Demolition of Buildings or Structures Bond:

• Property owner named as principal on the bond.
• Bond amount of $2,000 under Oakland Municipal Code 15.36.030.
• City of Oakland named as obligee.
• Confirm the current bond form and filing steps with the Oakland Planning and Building Department before the bond is issued.
• Owner credit review by the surety, which sets the premium.

California Demolition of Buildings or Structures Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the California Demolition of Buildings or Structures Bond: