Portland street opening bonds.
$100 flat.

Before the City of Portland issues a street opening or sewer connection permit to dig, excavate, or undermine a public street, the Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) requires a $2,000 surety bond on file. Ours is $100 flat — the price you see is the checkout price — and the bond issues the moment you pay.

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Required by PBOT before a street opening or sewer connection permit is issued

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Fixed price, fixed amount — $2,000 bond, $100, no quote process

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Covers restoration for two years after the work is completed

A-ratedA.M. Best carriersInstantissued the moment you pay1–3 yrterms available

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How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

A street opening bond is about the simplest thing in surety. Here's the entire process:

NOW · ONLINE

Apply online

Business details and an effective date. That's the application — no financials, no credit section.

MINUTES, USUALLY

Pay & e-sign

Bonds like this are among the thousands of bond types that issue right after purchase. At most, 1–2 business days.

SAME DAY

File with PBOT

Your executed bond arrives by email, ready to submit with your street opening or sewer connection permit application at PBOT's Utilities, Construction & Inspection counter. Wet-ink original mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually guarantees

The City of Portland requires anyone applying for a street opening permit or sewer connection permit in the public right-of-way to have an approved street-opening bond on file first. The bond guarantees the work is done to Portland City Code standards and that the excavated street is restored properly.

It's a three-party arrangement: you (the principal), the surety carrier, and the City of Portland (the obligee), acting through the Bureau of Transportation. If a permittee fails to restore the street to specification, or the pavement fails within the guarantee period, the City can draw on the bond to complete or repair the work.

It is not insurance for you — if the surety pays a claim, you repay the surety. The bond stands behind the street for two years after the job is completed, guaranteeing the repair stays in good condition, not just that it passed inspection on day one.

City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) — Street Opening PermitThe City of Portland's Bureau of Transportation requires a street-opening bond before the City issues a permit to dig, excavate, or undermine a public street, and conditions the bond on keeping the street in good repair for two years after completion of the job. We were unable to independently verify a single Portland City Code section that fixes the $2,000 bond amount for this permit, so we name the bureau rather than cite a code number we can't confirm. Contractors who work in the right-of-way on a recurring basis may carry an annual blanket bond from their surety instead of bonding each permit separately; confirm which form PBOT's Utilities, Construction & Inspection unit wants for your permit.

You need this bond if you're

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Applying for a Portland street opening permit to cut, dig, or excavate a public street

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Applying for a sewer connection permit that requires disturbing the street surface

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A contractor doing recurring right-of-way work in Portland and want an annual blanket bond

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A property owner pulling a one-time permit for a driveway cut or utility tie-in

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual issuing fields — no credit section, because this application doesn't collect credit information.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Portland street opening permit bond?The premium is $100 flat — set by our carrier's rate book for this bond, the same for every applicant. The $2,000 bond amount is fixed by PBOT, so there is no quote process.

Do I pay the $2,000?No. You pay $100. The $2,000 is the surety's maximum liability if the City has to draw on the bond to complete or repair street restoration — not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.

How fast will I have the bond?Bonds like this are among the thousands of bond types that issue right after purchase — many applicants finish the application and have the bond in the same sitting. At most, 1–2 business days.

Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information, so most applicants approve instantly. If a check ever runs on this bond, it's a soft pull that won't affect your score.

How long does the bond stay on the hook?PBOT holds the bond responsible for two years after your street work is completed — it guarantees the repair holds up, not just that it passed initial inspection. Confirm your permit's guarantee period with PBOT.

Related bonds

Other Oregon bonds.

Get your PBOT street opening permit filed today.

$100 flat, soft pull only, bond often issued in the same sitting. Free until issued.

Start application

Your price$100

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