Street Opening Permit Bond - Borough of Oakmont, PA in Pennsylvania

Brief Summary

Oakmont will not let a crew touch a borough street until a bond is on file, and the amount is not a fixed number. It is built from your own cost estimate for the opening and the street replacement, doubled, plus $1,000. Get the estimate right, get the bond issued for that figure, and the permit can move without a second trip to 767 Fifth Street.

The Borough of Oakmont requires a bond from anyone other than the borough itself before excavating, tunneling under or opening a public street, avenue, lane, alley or highway. Under Section 176-3A of the Oakmont Code the bond must equal at least double the estimated cost of the opening, excavation and street replacement, plus $1,000, and openings longer than 50 feet or wider than 3 feet require an additional bond fixed by the Mayor or Council.

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How to Apply for a Street Opening Permit Bond:

• Prepare a written estimate of the cost to open, excavate and replace the street surface at the work site.
• Size the bond at no less than double that estimate plus $1,000, as Section 176-3A requires.
• If the opening exceeds 50 feet in length or 3 feet in width, ask the borough for the additional bond amount under Section 176-3B.
• Complete the Oakmont Street Opening Permit Application with applicant, contractor, work site and schedule details, plus drawings.
• Obtain the executed bond naming the Borough of Oakmont as obligee.
• Deposit the bond with the Borough Secretary or Mayor and pay the permit fee before any work begins.
• Keep an attested copy of the permit on the job site at all times, per Section 176-6.

Detailed Information About the Pennsylvania Street Opening Permit Bond:

How the bond amount is set

Oakmont does not publish one flat bond amount. Chapter 176 of the Borough Code, Section 176-3A, requires a good and sufficient bond with an approved surety company as surety in a sum not less than double the estimated cost of the proposed opening, excavation and replacement of the street, plus $1,000. A job estimated at $4,000 to open and restore therefore needs a bond of at least $9,000. The bond is deposited with the Borough Secretary or the Mayor before the permit issues.

Larger openings need a second bond

Any excavation longer than 50 feet or wider than 3 feet triggers Section 176-3B. The applicant must file an additional bond in an amount fixed and approved by the Mayor or Council, covering restoration of the street plus 15% for supervision and inspection. Smaller openings are handled differently under Section 176-3C, where the applicant deposits the restoration cost with the Borough Secretary at the rate the code sets per square yard.

Who is treated differently

The borough's own work is exempt. A public service company incorporated under the Pennsylvania Public Service Company Law may give a single continuing bond, in an amount and form approved by the Mayor and Council, in place of separate bonds for each job. For minor work between the curb and property line by an abutting owner, such as sidewalks, tree planting or public service poles, Section 176-5 allows the bond and permit fee to be waived, but an application and permit are still required. Any applicant may post cash or a certified check payable to the Borough of Oakmont instead of a bond under Section 176-3I.

What the bond guarantees

The bond protects the borough and the public against loss from the work and secures proper restoration of the street. Section 176-3E requires the applicant to guarantee all permanent restoration for five years, and the borough's application requires the applicant to indemnify Oakmont for damage to utility lines, sewer connections, sidewalks, trees and other property. If restoration costs run past what was posted, Section 176-3D lets the borough bill the difference with 15% added.

Timing and fees

Permits for openings in streets paved with concrete, reinforced concrete or brick on a concrete base are not issued between December 1 and March 1 except as emergency special permits. The borough's 2024 Schedule of Fees lists $200 for road openings requiring excavation and $120 for openings that do not require excavation, such as boring, with added charges for long parallel openings. Confirm the current form and fee with the Borough Secretary before the bond is issued.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Pennsylvania Street Opening Permit Bond:

• Borough of Oakmont named as obligee.
• Surety must be an approved surety company, per Section 176-3A.
• Bond amount tied to the estimated opening and restoration cost, not a fixed figure.
• Five year guarantee of all permanent restoration.
• Workmen's compensation and public liability insurance maintained throughout the work.
• Underwriting based on the applicant's credit, experience and the size of the bond.

Pennsylvania Street Opening Permit Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the Pennsylvania Street Opening Permit Bond: