What a permit bond is
Some cities and counties require a bond before they issue a building or work permit. It guarantees you'll follow local codes and the permit conditions, and pays the agency if you don't, for example if public property is damaged.
In New York
New York has no single statewide law requiring permit bonds for all building or work permits; each jurisdiction sets its own rules. NYC Department of Transportation requires surety permit bonds under 34 RCNY § 2-02 for any work in city streets, with amounts scaled by annual permit volume. Separately, NYSDOT requires performance security (surety bonds or letters of credit) for every highway work permit on a state right-of-way under 17 NYCRR Part 127.
- Municipalities, utilities, and public benefit corporations may substitute an undertaking agreement in lieu of a surety bond for NYSDOT highway permits.
- For residential driveways on state highways a homeowner may pay a $25 insurance fee instead of posting a bond.
You need this bond if you're
- A contractor pulling permits where the city or county requires a bond
- Demolition and house-moving contractors
- Sign, sewer and grading contractors
- Owner-builders in some jurisdictions
What the surety looks at
Basic business details and credit.