Contractor License ($2,000) Bond - Nassau County, FL in Florida

Brief Summary

The $2,000 bond is a small filing that clears the way to pull permits in Nassau County. Florida law caps what a county can ask for, ties the bond to building code compliance only, and lets one bond travel statewide. You pay a modest annual premium and file the bond with the county before you need a permit.

Nassau County requires a $2,000 contractor bond filed with the county where building permits are requested. Florida Statutes 489.131(3)(e) allows local governments to require one bond per contractor, up to $5,000, conditioned only on compliance with the Florida Building Code and payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund. Bond reciprocity is statewide, and a contractor who provides a third party insured warranty on a new building is exempt for that building.

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How to Apply for a Contractor License ($2,000) Bond:

• Confirm your license status with the Nassau County Building Department, including the registered license program that began July 1, 2025.
• Have the contractor or business name exactly as it appears on your state certification or county registration.
• Provide owner name, address and Social Security number for the credit review.
• Complete the bond application and review the quoted premium.
• Pay the premium and receive the executed $2,000 bond.
• File the bond with Nassau County before requesting a building permit.

Detailed Information About the Florida Contractor License ($2,000) Bond:

One bond, conditioned on code compliance only

Many contractors assume this is a general consumer protection bond that covers every dispute with a customer. It is narrower than that. Under Florida Statutes 489.131(3)(e), a county may require one bond per contractor, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, and the bond is conditioned only upon compliance with the Florida Building Code adopted under section 553.73. Nassau County's requirement is $2,000.

The statute also says the bond is payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund and filed in each county or municipality where a building permit is requested. It must be equally available to all contractors regardless of how long they have been certified or registered and regardless of financial responsibility requirements.

Statewide reciprocity and the warranty exemption

Bond reciprocity is granted statewide, and the bond counts toward any financial responsibility requirement imposed by statute or rule. A contractor who provides a third party insured warranty policy for a new building or structure, for the benefit of the purchaser or owner, is exempt from the bond for that building or structure.

Nassau County's registered license program

Starting July 1, 2025, Nassau County issues registered contractor licenses through a certificate of competency. Categories, scope of work and experience requirements mirror the state certified categories used by DBPR, the CILB and the ECLB. The Building Official also serves as the Contractor Licensing Official. Owner builders working under the exemption in Florida Statutes 489.103(7) must personally appear and sign the building permit application.

Premium

The surety sets the premium from the $2,000 bond amount and the contractor's credit. At this bond size, credit affects the rate more than eligibility.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Florida Contractor License ($2,000) Bond:

• Bond amount of $2,000.
• Bond payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund, as required by Florida Statutes 489.131(3)(e).
• Bond conditioned on compliance with the Florida Building Code.
• Contractor name matching the state certification or county registration.
• A surety company authorized to write bonds in Florida.

Florida Contractor License ($2,000) Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the Florida Contractor License ($2,000) Bond: