License and bonding requirements is the Salt Lake City document that states what a contractor or a resident must show to obtain a public way permit from the Salt Lake City Engineering Division. It applies to construction in the public way, including work that blocks a street, sidewalk or alley. It is one of the Salt Lake City resources people reach when searching for a Salt Lake City business license, but it concerns permits, not general business licensing. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the city at slc.gov.
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What is License and bonding requirements – Salt Lake City, UT?
License and bonding requirements is the Salt Lake City document describing what a contractor or resident must show to get a public way permit from the Engineering Division: license, bond and insurance for contractors, homeowner's insurance for residents.
A public way permit is required for any construction in the public way, including work that blocks a street, sidewalk or alley. The city lists streets, sidewalks, curb and gutter, driveway approaches and utility excavations as public way work. Landscaping does not need a public way permit unless heavy equipment is used.
For contractors, the city's permit requirements are a valid Utah contractor's license, a bond (the city gives a standard amount for typical excavations) and a current certificate of insurance covering general liability, workers compensation and automobile liability. Residents who do the work themselves next to their own property need a public way permit and proof of homeowner's insurance with limited liability coverage; the license and bonding requirements are waived for them.
A permit fee is charged under the Salt Lake City permit fee schedule, and the permit is not issued until fees are paid. The requirements here apply to public way permits, so they are not a guide to a Salt Lake City business license.
Who needs to file License and bonding requirements – Salt Lake City, UT?
Contractors who apply for a public way permit in Salt Lake City must meet the license, bond and insurance requirements: a valid Utah contractor's license, a bond and a current certificate of insurance with general liability, workers compensation and automobile liability coverage.
Residents who work in the public right-of-way next to their own property can do the work themselves without hiring a licensed contractor. They must obtain a public way permit and provide proof of homeowner's insurance with limited liability coverage. License and bonding requirements are waived for residents completing their own work.
Developers and contractors whose projects affect streets, sidewalks or bike lanes must also submit a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) with any permit application for work in the public right-of-way.
All applicants, whether contractor, resident or other permit applicant, must include their name, address and phone number, a scope of work statement and a construction schedule with proposed start and completion dates. Landscaping alone does not need a public way permit unless heavy equipment is used.
When to file License and bonding requirements – Salt Lake City, UT
Provide the license, bond and insurance information when you apply for a public way permit, which is required before any construction in the public way begins, including work that blocks a street, sidewalk or alley. A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) must be part of the permit application for projects that affect streets, sidewalks or bike lanes. The permit is not issued until the permit fees are paid. The city's page sets no separate due date for this document; it travels with the permit application. Fees vary according to the type of work and the time of year.
Documents you need
- Valid Utah contractor's license: required of contractors applying for a public way permit; the requirement is waived for residents doing their own work.
- Bond: required of contractors applying for a public way permit; the city gives a standard amount for typical excavations. Waived for residents doing their own work.
- Current certificate of insurance including general liability, workers compensation and automobile liability coverage: required of contractors.
- Proof of homeowner's insurance with limited liability coverage: required of residents who do their own work in the public right-of-way next to their property.
- Scope of work statement: required of all applicants.
- Construction schedule with proposed start and completion dates: required of all applicants.
- Plans that match the scope and complexity of the work: submitted with the permit application.
- Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP): required of developers and contractors for projects that affect streets, sidewalks or bike lanes.
How to fill out License and bonding requirements – Salt Lake City, UT
Identify whether you are a contractor or resident
Contractors need a license, bond and insurance; residents working next to their own property need homeowner's insurance proof instead. License and bonding requirements are waived for residents completing their own work.
Enter applicant name, address and phone
Give the name, address and phone number of the contractor, resident or permit applicant, as the city requires from all applicants.
Provide the contractor license and bond
If you are a contractor, provide your valid Utah contractor's license and the bond. Skip this if you are a resident doing your own work.
Provide insurance information
Contractors provide a current certificate of insurance with general liability, workers compensation and automobile liability coverage. Residents provide proof of homeowner's insurance with limited liability coverage.
State the scope and schedule
Write the scope of work statement and the construction schedule, including proposed start and completion dates.
Add plans and any CTMP
Include plans that match the scope and complexity of the work. For projects affecting streets, sidewalks or bike lanes, add the Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every item that applies to you is complete, then download or print the PDF from FillingPDF and submit it with your permit application as described under How to submit.
How to submit License and bonding requirements – Salt Lake City, UT
The city's public way permits page describes the requirements but names no portal, mailing address or office address for the permit application itself; the permit is issued by the Salt Lake City Engineering Division, so direct submission questions there.
- Public way permit application: include the applicant's name, address and phone number, the scope of work statement, the construction schedule, plans that match the scope and complexity of the work, and the license, bond and insurance documents that apply to you. Depending on the project, other City departments such as Planning or Public Utilities may also need to approve.
- Fees: a permit fee applies under the Salt Lake City permit fee schedule, and the permit is not issued until it is paid. Ask the Engineering Division for the current amount.
- Traffic control permit: a separate permit is required from the Salt Lake City Transportation Division, 349 S 200 E Suite 150, or by calling 801-535-6630.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the city's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting work that blocks a street, sidewalk or alley before obtaining a public way permit.
- Applying as a contractor without a valid Utah contractor's license, a bond or a current certificate of insurance.
- Submitting a certificate of insurance that leaves out general liability, workers compensation or automobile liability coverage.
- Assuming residents need a licensed contractor or a bond: the requirements are waived for residents doing their own work, but they still need a permit and homeowner's insurance proof.
- Omitting the CTMP for a project that affects streets, sidewalks or bike lanes.
- Leaving out the scope of work statement or the construction schedule with start and completion dates.
- Expecting the permit to be issued before the permit fees are paid.
- Assuming the public way permit covers traffic control, which needs its own permit from the Transportation Division.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the Salt Lake City business license?
No. This document covers license and bonding requirements for public way permits issued by the Salt Lake City Engineering Division. Searches for a Salt Lake City business license often land here, but the requirements concern construction in the public way, not general business licensing.
Who needs a bond to get a public way permit in Salt Lake City?
Contractors do. They must have a valid Utah contractor's license, post a bond and provide a current certificate of insurance. The city waives the license and bonding requirements for residents who complete their own work next to their property.
Do residents need a licensed contractor for work in the public way?
No. Residents may do work in the public right-of-way next to their own property themselves. They still need a public way permit and proof of homeowner's insurance with limited liability coverage, but license and bonding requirements are waived.
What insurance does a contractor need for a public way permit?
A current certificate of insurance that includes general liability, workers compensation and automobile liability coverage. Residents doing their own work instead provide proof of homeowner's insurance with limited liability coverage.
Is there a fee for a Salt Lake City public way permit?
Yes. A permit fee applies under the Salt Lake City permit fee schedule and varies by type of work and time of year. The permit is not issued until fees are paid; ask the Engineering Division for the current amount.
Do I also need a traffic control permit?
Yes, a traffic control permit is required from the Salt Lake City Transportation Division, 349 S 200 E Suite 150, or call 801-535-6630. Projects affecting streets, sidewalks or bike lanes must also submit a Construction Traffic Management Plan with the permit application.
Can I fill out the license and bonding requirements PDF online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not connected to Salt Lake City, and does not submit anything; you submit through the city's channels.
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