Curb and Sidewalk ($20,000) Bond - City of Bridgeport, CT in Connecticut

Brief Summary

Bridgeport only issues sidewalk, curb and driveway apron permits to contractors who are licensed and bonded with the city, and the bond behind that license is $20,000 under Municipal Code 12.08.110. You pay a premium to a surety instead of tying up $20,000 in cash, and the executed bond is what unlocks the contractor's license and every permit after it.

Under Bridgeport Municipal Code 12.08.100 and 12.08.110, any contractor who builds, relays or repairs sidewalks, curbs, combined curbs and gutters, driveways or driveway approaches on city streets must be licensed by the director of public facilities and file a $20,000 surety bond. The city holds that bond for at least three years from permit issuance or the start of construction, whichever is later. The license costs $250 a year and expires March 31.

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How to Apply for a Curb and Sidewalk ($20,000) Bond:

• Legal business name and address exactly as they will appear on the Bridgeport contractor's license.
• Owner name and home address for the surety's credit review.
• An executed $20,000 surety bond filed with the director of public facilities.
• Payment of the $250 annual contractor's license fee.
• A permit for each job, applied for on ParkcityPortal.com, with the $150 sidewalk permit fee.
• At least one week of lead time for standard permit review.

Detailed Information About the Connecticut Curb and Sidewalk ($20,000) Bond:

The bond outlasts the license

This is the part most contractors miss. The license runs only to March 31, but Section 12.08.110 says the city shall hold the bond for no less than three years from issuance of the permit or the start of construction, whichever is later. Plan on keeping the bond in force for that whole period, even if you stop working in Bridgeport.

Who needs it

Section 12.08.100 says no person shall, as a contractor, construct, relay or repair sidewalks, curbs, combined curbs and gutters, driveways or driveway approaches on the city's public streets, highways, alleys or sidewalks unless licensed by the director of public facilities. Section 12.08.110 makes the $20,000 surety bond a condition of that license.

Two groups are outside the requirement. A property owner, or the owner's agent, may make minor repairs to an existing sidewalk, curb, gutter, driveway or driveway approach in front of that owner's property without a license. Section 12.12.060 also says Sections 12.08.090 through 12.08.180 do not apply to the city or its officers, boards, agencies or commissions.

The amount

The code sets one figure, $20,000. There are no tiers by job size or revenue. The only adjustment runs upward: at the director's reasonable discretion a larger bond may be required to cover a contractor's work.

What the bond guarantees

The bond protects the director of public facilities and the city, its officers, agents and employees, against claims and suits for injury or damage caused by the contractor's work or negligence. It also backs the contractor's promise to do the work in line with city ordinances, state statutes and the director's rules.

Fees and timing

The annual license fee is $250 under Section 12.08.130, and licenses are not transferable. Each job also needs a permit, applied for online at ParkcityPortal.com. The sidewalk permit fee is $150 under Section 12.08.090. The city says standard review takes a minimum of one week and these permits are not available same day.

What the premium depends on

The city does not set the premium. The surety prices it from the owner's credit and the business's history, and because the city holds the bond for years, ask how renewal premiums will be billed over that period. Confirm the current bond form and filing steps with the Licensing and Permits office before the bond is issued.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Connecticut Curb and Sidewalk ($20,000) Bond:

• Bond amount of $20,000, or a larger amount if the director requires one for a particular job.
• Bond held by the city at least three years from permit issuance or the start of construction, whichever is later.
• License renewed before it expires on March 31 each year. Licenses are not transferable.
• Current documents only. The city states it will not accept expired documents.
• Sidewalk subgrade work to CT DOT Form 817 Article M.02, with Class C concrete under section M.03.02, as the city's permit page specifies.

Connecticut Curb and Sidewalk ($20,000) Bond FAQs:

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