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 Rhode Island
Rhode Island has no statewide building permit bond; cities and towns set their own for local street and work permits. For work within or affecting a state highway, RIDOT issues a Physical Alteration Permit only after it receives an original bond sized to the project, under Section 4.7 of its permit rules.
- RIDOT also requires an original insurance certificate (Section 4.8) before issuing the permit.
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.