County of Orange Grading Permit Bond

What is the Purpose of the Grading Permit Bond?

The County of Orange requires contractors performing grading in the county to obtain a Grading Permit Bond. The bond represents a financial guarantee by the contractor and the issuing surety company to the County of Orange that all contracted work will be completed on time and the jobsite will be returned to its original condition.

How Much Does the Bond Cost?

Per Municipal Code 7-1-829, the bond amount is determined by the County Building Official in an amount set forth by the county grading manual. 

The bond cost for the contractor is typically between 1%-7.5% depending on the contractor’s personal credit score.

*Prices shown are based on several factors. Not all available pricing tiers are shown. Rates do not constitute an offer of bonding and are subject to change at any time.

How Does the Permit Application Process Work With the County of Orange?

To obtain a grading permit, applicants must file an application with the County Building Official. The grading permit application must include information required by the Building Official as stated in Sub-article 5 of the Grading Manual, as stated by Municipal Code 7-1-816.

Does CCIS File the Bond for Applicants?

County of Orange requires wet signatures** on filed bond documents. This means both parties must physically sign the bond prior to sending it in to the County of Orange. The original bond form issued by CCIS needs be mailed to or dropped off at the following location by the contractor once signed:

**Properly review bond forms to confirm if notarization is required. Failure to adhere to document requirements may lead to rejection of the bond form by the County of Orange.

Does This Bond Expire?

The permit bond expires upon the specified expiration date, typically one year from the date of issuance. A new permit bond will need to be purchased should the project take longer than one year.

Claims Information

If the County of Orange files a claim against the Grading Permit Bond, the Surety company will investigate the legitimacy of the claim and proceed accordingly. CCIS does not handle surety claims in office, however, claims contact information will be provided to the contractor, to move the claims process forward.

If the claim is found to be legitimate, the Surety company will payout to the County of Orange, up to the limit of the bond. 

Unlike insurance policies that protect contractors from unforeseen events, this bond protects the County of Orange, its laborers, and suppliers from the actions of a contractor. Contractors are responsible for their actions and therefore must reimburse the Surety company for any claims paid. Failure to do so will significantly inhibit a contractor’s ability to obtain a surety bond for future jobs.