Louisville encroachment bonds.
From $100.
Before you encroach on, excavate in, or place anything within the public right-of-way in Louisville-Jefferson County Metro, the Metro government requires an encroachment permit bond. Metro Public Works sets the amount; the bond is priced at 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — your exact price appears at the application.
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How much does a Louisville encroachment bond cost?
1% of the bond amount, from $100. Enter your amount in the calculator for the exact price.
Three steps. One sitting.
No underwriting queue for the standard encroachment bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with Metro. Here is the whole thing:
Apply online
Your business details, the bond amount Metro required, and the effective date — that is the application.
Issued on the spot
No waiting — the executed bond is generated as soon as you pay. Above $50,000, a soft pull may add a short review.
File with Louisville Metro
Submit the executed bond with your encroachment permit application to Louisville Metro Public Works. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever Metro insists.
What it is and who needs it.
What the encroachment bond actually covers
Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government controls work in and over its public rights-of-way through an encroachment permit. When you excavate, run utilities, or place a structure that encroaches on the right-of-way, Metro requires a surety bond as a condition of that permit.
The bond is a restoration-and-compliance guarantee to Metro: it stands behind your obligation to restore the right-of-way, follow the permit conditions, and not leave the public way damaged or hazardous. Louisville-Jefferson County Metro is the obligee.
If you fail to restore the right-of-way or violate the permit and Metro is harmed, it can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, you repay the surety. We issue the amount Metro Public Works set, priced at 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — not by a credit or underwriting tier.
You need this bond if you are
Claims, renewal, filing, and what sets the price.
If a claim is made
A claim comes from the party the bond protects, the obligee named on the form, when the duty the bond guarantees is not met.
The surety investigates and pays a valid claim, up to the bond amount. You then repay the surety: a surety bond is a guarantee of your performance, not insurance for you.
Renewal and term
The premium covers a one-year term from the effective date you choose.
Renew before the expiry date to keep the bond in force: the license, permit or contract it backs expects continuous coverage.
How to file it
File with Louisville Metro. Submit the executed bond with your encroachment permit application to Louisville Metro Public Works. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever Metro insists.
What sets the price
The premium is 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum: the amount the obligee sets moves the price, not your business profile.
No credit check up to $50,000. Above that, the carrier may run a soft pull, which never affects your score.
Where a check runs, it decides approval; the rate is the same for everyone approved.
One application, issued on the spot.
Submit the application with the bond amount Louisville Metro set — the executed bond is generated instantly, ready to file with your permit.
Start the application →Common questions.
Other Kentucky bonds.
Price and requirements checked on the carrier’s application, . Page updated .
Encroachment bond, issued today.
Pricing from $100. Enter the amount Louisville Metro required and file the same day.