Ann Arbor, MI METRO Act Permit Bond
Overview
Ann Arbor requires any company seeking to use the public right-of-way under Michigan's Metropolitan Extension Telecommunications Rights-of-Way Oversight Act — commonly called the METRO Act — to post this bond before a permit is issued. It guarantees that the permitted party will restore pavement, curbs, sidewalks, and other infrastructure to the city's standards after excavation or installation work is complete. If restoration falls short, Ann Arbor can draw on the bond to cover the cost of repairs. This is a city-level requirement tied directly to the METRO Act permit process, not a state contractor license.
Who Needs This Bond?
Your company has applied — or is about to apply — for a METRO Act permit in Ann Arbor, and the city will not issue that permit without a bond on file. Telecommunications providers, cable operators, fiber installers, and utility contractors who plan to place, maintain, or repair infrastructure in Ann Arbor's public rights-of-way are the typical applicants. If your project involves trenching, boring, or any disturbance of city streets or sidewalks under a METRO Act permit, this bond is mandatory. Subcontractors working directly under a prime permittee should confirm with the city whether they must post their own bond.
What is this Bond For?
Ann Arbor's public rights-of-way — streets, sidewalks, utility corridors — must be returned to their pre-construction condition after any permitted work. This bond is the city's financial guarantee that restoration will happen. If the permit holder fails to repair damage, abandons a project, or leaves infrastructure in a substandard state, Ann Arbor can file a claim against the bond to fund corrective work. It protects Ann Arbor residents and the city's infrastructure investment without requiring the city to chase the permittee for reimbursement.
When is it Required?
Before Ann Arbor will issue a METRO Act right-of-way permit, the bond must already be approved and on file with the city. There is no grace period and no provisional permit while bonding is pending. If your permit application is submitted without proof of bonding, it will not advance through the city's review process. Plan to secure the bond first, then submit your permit application so work can begin on schedule.
Where Does it Apply?
This bond applies exclusively within the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan. It satisfies a local permit requirement under the city's administration of METRO Act right-of-way access — it is not valid for work in any surrounding township, Washtenaw County right-of-way, or any other Michigan municipality. If your project crosses city limits, separate bonding may be required from the adjacent jurisdiction.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page and the secure surety portal will open in a new tab. Complete the application with your company information and the bond amount specified by Ann Arbor, and your bond documents are processed without waiting on an agent callback. Download and deliver the executed bond to the city as part of your METRO Act permit application.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and built for business owners who need a bond today, not next week. Our nationwide catalog includes city-specific bonds like this Ann Arbor METRO Act Permit Bond that most local agents have never written. Buy online, get your documents fast, and move your permit application forward without delays.