Brief Summary
Willoughby only accepts this $25,000 bond from a surety listed on the U.S. Treasury Circular 570, so check the writing company before you file. The bond goes to the Chief Building Inspector before registration is issued, and every registration ends December 31, so plan the renewal for the 30 days before year end.
Willoughby Codified Ordinances 1327.06 requires every registered contractor, including those in the Fence/Deck/Accessory Structures category, to file a $25,000 bond with the Chief Building Inspector before registration is issued. The surety must be authorized in Ohio and listed on Treasury Circular 570. The bond guarantees compliance with the Building Code and that all work done under a city permit follows state statutes, administrative codes and local rules.
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Detailed Information About the Ohio General Construction: Accessory Structures ($25,000) Bond:
Which registration this is
Willoughby's contractor registration application lists separate categories, and one of them is Fence/Deck/Accessory Structures. Willoughby Codified Ordinances 1327.01 lists fence and deck work among the general contractor classifications that must register with the Chief Building and Zoning Inspector. The registration fee on the city application is $100 per category, so a contractor registering in more than one category pays for each. Ohio Revised Code 715.27 gives municipalities authority to regulate the erection of fences and other structures.
The surety has to meet two tests
Section 1327.06 requires the contractor to file a $25,000 bond with the Chief Building Inspector before registration is issued. The bond must come from an approved surety company authorized to transact business in Ohio, and it must be underwritten by a surety listed on the current Treasury Circular 570, Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds. A bond from a company that is licensed in Ohio but not on that list does not meet the ordinance.
What the bond guarantees
The bond guarantees full compliance with the applicable Building Code and the rules issued under it, and guarantees that all work done under a permit issued by the City follows state statutes, administrative codes and local rules and regulations.
First time registrants need board approval
Section 1327.02 requires an applicant to be at least 18, able to read and write English, and to have worked in the applicable trade for at least two years, with a chronological list of projects and contact persons. The city application says applicants without prior municipal registration need approval from the Board of Building Code Appeals, which meets the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall. Build that meeting date into your timeline.
Insurance, expiration and renewal
Section 1327.07 requires liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence for injury, death and property damage, and the application asks for a certificate naming the City as certificate holder. Under 1327.09 every registration expires December 31 of the year it was issued and must be renewed within the 30 days before it expires.
Who is exempt
Section 1327.13 lets an owner occupant of a one or two family dwelling do work personally without registering, after filing an affidavit describing the work. Anyone the owner pays to do the work must be registered. Section 1327.04 excludes employees of public utilities working on utility equipment.
Before the bond is issued
Confirm the current bond form and filing steps with the Willoughby Building Department, One Public Square, 440-953-4118, before the bond is issued.
+1 815-826-6324 (815-8-BondAI) 
phil@AmericasSuretyBonds.com
