Match the bond to the owner and grading permit

A grading bond must be issued in the name of the property owner, who is the Principal. This ownership information, including legal address and description, must match the details provided on the grading permit application exactly. Discrepancies between these documents will result in processing delays.

The City of Los Angeles accepts both cash bonds and surety bonds. Cash bonds require a certified or cashier's check made payable to the City of Los Angeles, while surety bonds involve an agreement with a corporate surety provider to guarantee performance. All bonds must be submitted using the specific Department forms provided by the City.

Apply first, then execute and submit the bond

Proper execution requires notarization of all signatures on separate acknowledgment sheets that comply with California Civil Code Section 1189. For entities such as corporations, partnerships, or trusts, documentation verifying the signer's authority—such as an Operating Agreement, Board Resolution, or Certificate of Trust—must be provided alongside the bond.

The City requires that bond requests be submitted electronically to the Office of the City Administrative Officer Risk Management Office for review. Once approved, the requestor receives a CAO approval number, which is necessary to finalize the process at the building and safety cashier’s window.

• Purchase Now opens Propeller's application in a new tab. Use the owner's legal name, grading permit details and engineer-assigned security amount.
• Once issued, follow the city's signature, acknowledgment and CAO submission instructions. Starting the provider application is separate from issuance and city approval.

Project Completion and Bond Release

The bond remains in full force until all grading work is inspected and signed off by a City grading inspector. For cash bonds, the owner must present the original receipt to the accounting office to initiate the refund process after completion. Approximately ten days are typically required to process a refund claim after the receipt is submitted.

If a project reaches 50% completion, a partial release of a cash bond may be requested through the grading division inspector. For surety bonds, the City will mail a notice of release to the surety company once the job is completed and approved, effectively terminating the obligation.