Grading Permit Bond - Sausalito, CA in California

Brief Summary

In Sausalito the grading security is sized from the City Engineer's approved estimate of the work, not from a flat schedule. A surety bond lets you post that amount without tying up project cash for the life of the permit, which matters on hillside lots where grading and wall work can run long.

Sausalito requires a permit under Municipal Code Chapter 17.08 for excavation, fill or drainage work on any land in the City, and the Engineering Division issues grading permits for projects disturbing 50 cubic yards of earth or more. The City has conditioned grading permits on monetary assurance in a form acceptable to the City, with the amount based on an estimate of construction reviewed and approved by the City Engineer. The City of Sausalito is the obligee. Confirm the current amount, bond form and filing steps with the Engineering Division before the bond is issued.

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How to Apply for a Grading Permit Bond:

• Estimate the cubic yards of cut and fill to see whether the 50 cubic yard threshold applies.
• Prepare the grading application with the property description, the nature of the work, the cubic yard estimate, methods, slopes and schedule.
• Get the City Engineer's approval of the construction estimate that sets the security amount.
• Have the bond issued to the City of Sausalito for the approved amount.
• Provide a certificate of insurance if the City Engineer or Building Inspector requires one.
• Submit the bond and fees to the Engineering Division before grading starts.

Detailed Information About the California Grading Permit Bond:

The amount comes from the engineer's estimate

There is no fixed bond amount in the Sausalito code. A 2007 City Council resolution approving an encroachment agreement shows how the City handles it: the applicant must obtain a grading permit, pay all fees and submit monetary assurance in a form acceptable to the City to assure performance of the grading work, with the amount based on an estimate of construction reviewed and approved by the City Engineer. Expect the number to track your engineer's cost estimate for the grading.

When a grading permit is needed

Section 17.08.010 makes it unlawful to make any excavation, fill or drain on land, public or private, in the City without a permit. The Engineering Division issues grading permits for projects disturbing 50 or more cubic yards of earth. The code exempts grading where no bank is left standing more than four feet high and less than 50 cubic yards of earth is removed, placed or disturbed in any 12 consecutive months. It also exempts foundation and basement excavation covered by a building permit, grading in an approved subdivision, and certain public utility work.

Other conditions on the permit

Under section 17.08.050 the City Building Inspector or City Engineer may require a certificate of insurance in an amount fixed by the City Council, up to $100,000, or up to $5,000,000 for work near high priority subsurface installations. Section 17.08.060 requires the permittee to indemnify the City, remove material dropped on public streets and pay for any damage to public or private property. A permit can be revoked or suspended under section 17.08.070.

A separate erosion control deposit

Sausalito's local amendment to Appendix J, section J110.3 in Municipal Code 8.02.020, lets the City Engineer or Building Official require a deposit, in an amount set by City Council resolution, to guarantee repair of storm water runoff damage. That deposit is separate from other City deposit requirements, so it does not satisfy the grading security and the grading bond does not satisfy it.

Fees and expiration

The code sets the application fee at $0.01 per cubic yard with a $2.50 minimum and doubles all fees when work starts before the permit is issued. Check the City's current fee schedule as well. A permit expires if work does not begin within six months or is abandoned for six consecutive months.

Eligibility and Requirements for a California Grading Permit Bond:

• City of Sausalito as obligee.
• Security amount based on an estimate of construction reviewed and approved by the City Engineer.
• Grading permit under Municipal Code Chapter 17.08 for 50 cubic yards or more, or banks over four feet.
• Permittee indemnifies the City and repairs any damage to public or private property.
• Possible separate erosion control deposit under Appendix J section J110.3 as amended by Sausalito.

California Grading Permit Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the California Grading Permit Bond: