San Diego Grading Permit Performance Bond
What it is & who requires it
Applicants for a City of San Diego grading permit with a construction-cost estimate of $50,000 or more.
Obligee: City of San Diego (Development Services Department). Citation: San Diego Municipal Code Sec. 129.0602; Information Bulletin 126 (Performance Bond form DS-401).
Bond amount
The bond amount equals the approved Construction Cost Estimate (based on the latest Unit Price List), prepared by a California-licensed civil engineer and approved by DSD. Projects with a Construction Cost Estimate under $50,000 require NO bond.
How to get it
This bond issues online — get bonded through our portal, usually in a single sitting once you confirm the bond, amount, and obligee.
Term & renewal
Term: Tied to the permit; warranty per the bulletin
Renewal: Per permit
Filing
Required for a City of San Diego grading permit under San Diego Municipal Code Sec. 129.0602, filed on the Development Services performance bond form (DS-401) per Information Bulletin 126. The amount equals the approved construction cost estimate, prepared by a California-licensed civil engineer; a surety bond is expressly accepted (also cash, an improvement-agreement bond, or a letter of credit), and the surety must be A-rated. Projects with an estimate below the code threshold require no bond. Distinct from the San Diego public improvement bond.
Source
Verified against the obligee source (last checked 2026-06-07).
Related California bonds
Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the San Diego Grading Permit Performance Bond?
- It’s required by City of San Diego (Development Services Department) (San Diego Municipal Code Sec. 129.0602; Information Bulletin 126 (Performance Bond form DS-401)). Applicants for a City of San Diego grading permit with a construction-cost estimate of $50,000 or more.
- How much is the San Diego Grading Permit Performance Bond?
- The bond amount equals the approved Construction Cost Estimate (based on the latest Unit Price List), prepared by a California-licensed civil engineer and approved by DSD. Projects with a Construction Cost Estimate under $50,000 require NO bond.
- How do I get the San Diego Grading Permit Performance Bond?
- This bond issues online — get bonded through our portal, usually in a single sitting once you confirm the bond, amount, and obligee.
- What is the term?
- Tied to the permit; warranty per the bulletin Renewal: Per permit
- Is this bond insurance for me?
- No. It protects the obligee and the public — not you. If a valid claim is paid, you repay the surety.
- How is this requirement verified?
- We verify it against the obligee’s primary source (last checked 2026-06-07); the source link is on this page.
