Seattle Public Place Improvement Bond
What it is & who requires it
Contractors and utilities working under a Seattle Street Use permit who construct, reconstruct, repair, maintain, or remove pavement, sewers, water mains, storm drains, grading, street lighting, or other appurtenances in the public place. A permittee working continuously may post one blanket bond covering all outstanding permits.
Obligee: City of Seattle (Seattle Department of Transportation — Street Use). Citation: Seattle Municipal Code 15.04.044 (surety bond); SMC 15.04.040 (indemnity deposit); SMC 15.44 (excavations and fills).
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: Runs for the full period of the Street Use permit plus one year after the City accepts the permitted work. A blanket form may be posted across all outstanding permits, and in no case runs less than one year.
Renewal: Per permit, or continuous under a blanket bond held across outstanding Street Use permits.
Filing
Filed with the City of Seattle for a Street Use permit involving work in the public place. The amount is not fixed by ordinance — it is set by the authorizing official against the risk and the cost of the work, and Seattle lets you satisfy it with a cash indemnity deposit or an escrow account instead of a surety bond, so the bond is listed here and the required amount is confirmed when your permit is reviewed. Registered side sewer contractors who already carry the side sewer registration bond are generally not required to post an additional bond for the same work. Authority is Seattle Municipal Code 15.04.044.
Source
This bond requirement is corroborated by multiple public sources; City of Seattle (Seattle Department of Transportation — Street Use) sets the exact amount, which we confirm when you start your bond.
Related Washington bonds
Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the Seattle Public Place Improvement Bond?
- It’s required by City of Seattle (Seattle Department of Transportation — Street Use) (Seattle Municipal Code 15.04.044 (surety bond); SMC 15.04.040 (indemnity deposit); SMC 15.44 (excavations and fills)). Contractors and utilities working under a Seattle Street Use permit who construct, reconstruct, repair, maintain, or remove pavement, sewers, water mains, storm drains, grading, street lighting, or other appurtenances in the public place. A permittee working continuously may post one blanket bond covering all outstanding permits.
- How much is the Seattle Public Place Improvement 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 Seattle Public Place Improvement 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?
- Runs for the full period of the Street Use permit plus one year after the City accepts the permitted work. A blanket form may be posted across all outstanding permits, and in no case runs less than one year. Renewal: Per permit, or continuous under a blanket bond held across outstanding Street Use permits.
- 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.
