Des Moines Street Excavation Bond
What it is & who requires it
Contractors excavating or cutting pavement in a Des Moines street or right-of-way, and licensed plumbing contractors who do so regularly. Three things about this scheme change what you should buy. First, the default is per-permit and sized against a restoration cost schedule the council sets by resolution, so the amount tracks the city’s restoration prices rather than your contract. Second, the maintenance obligation is long — the surety is not released until the department is satisfied the right-of-way was properly restored at the end of a forty-eight month period after restoration, which is longer than most Iowa cities ask. Third, a licensed plumbing contractor has a route the others do not: one standing bond on file with the department, running concurrently with the plumbing contractor’s license and specifically providing coverage for all street excavations undertaken during the period. That route can be reopened by the city engineer if the amount is judged insufficient for a particular permit. A separate obstruction permit bond may also be required at the engineer’s sole discretion where the proposed use of the right-of-way poses a risk of damage.
Obligee: City of Des Moines (City Engineer; Permit and Development Center). Citation: Des Moines Municipal Code § 102-717 (performance bond; bond condition; alternate forms of security; bond for licensed plumbing contractors); § 102-718 (qualification); obstruction permit bond provisions at ch. 102 and ch. 26; restoration cost schedule established by resolution of the city council.
Bond amount
Set by the obligee — the exact amount is confirmed automatically when you start your bond in our portal, or call 317-942-0549.
How to get it
This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
Request a bond quote
Tell us about the bond and the project. A licensed producer follows up — these bonds are individually underwritten, so they are not issued instantly.
Term & renewal
Term: The per-permit bond runs through restoration and a forty-eight month maintenance period before the surety is released; the annual alternative secures a twelve-month forward period.
Renewal: Per permit on the default route, annually on the alternate route, and concurrently with the state license on the plumbing contractor route.
Filing
Filed with the department or posted with the city treasurer depending on the route. No figure renders because the alternate route names a letter of credit, a certificate of deposit and a certified check beside the bond, and it is stated as a floor rather than a sum; the plumbing contractor route is expressly a way of satisfying that same scheme rather than a separate mandate. The bond is conditioned on faithful performance of the restoration work or payment of the city’s restoration costs, and on faithful performance of the permit terms. If the city has to restore or maintain the right-of-way itself, the certified costs are payable by the applicant or the bonding company, and excess costs must be paid before any further permit application is processed. Where security is posted as a letter of credit, certificate of deposit or certified check, the city engineer may require it increased at any time after issue.
Source
This bond requirement is corroborated by multiple public sources; City of Des Moines (City Engineer; Permit and Development Center) sets the exact amount, which we confirm when you start your bond.
Related Iowa bonds
Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the Des Moines Street Excavation Bond?
- It’s required by City of Des Moines (City Engineer; Permit and Development Center) (Des Moines Municipal Code § 102-717 (performance bond; bond condition; alternate forms of security; bond for licensed plumbing contractors); § 102-718 (qualification); obstruction permit bond provisions at ch. 102 and ch. 26; restoration cost schedule established by resolution of the city council). Contractors excavating or cutting pavement in a Des Moines street or right-of-way, and licensed plumbing contractors who do so regularly. Three things about this scheme change what you should buy. First, the default is per-permit and sized against a restoration cost schedule the council sets by resolution, so the amount tracks the city’s restoration prices rather than your contract. Second, the maintenance obligation is long — the surety is not released until the department is satisfied the right-of-way was properly restored at the end of a forty-eight month period after restoration, which is longer than most Iowa cities ask. Third, a licensed plumbing contractor has a route the others do not: one standing bond on file with the department, running concurrently with the plumbing contractor’s license and specifically providing coverage for all street excavations undertaken during the period. That route can be reopened by the city engineer if the amount is judged insufficient for a particular permit. A separate obstruction permit bond may also be required at the engineer’s sole discretion where the proposed use of the right-of-way poses a risk of damage.
- How much is the Des Moines Street Excavation Bond?
- Set by the obligee — the exact amount is confirmed automatically when you start your bond in our portal, or call 317-942-0549.
- How do I get the Des Moines Street Excavation Bond?
- This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
- What is the term?
- The per-permit bond runs through restoration and a forty-eight month maintenance period before the surety is released; the annual alternative secures a twelve-month forward period. Renewal: Per permit on the default route, annually on the alternate route, and concurrently with the state license on the plumbing contractor route.
- 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?
- This bond requirement is corroborated by multiple public sources. The obligee sets the exact amount, which we confirm automatically when you start your bond in the portal or with a producer.
