What is the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Construction Bond?
The Mecklenburg County Land Use and Construction Bond is a surety bond required by the Mecklenburg Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA). The purpose of the bond is to ensure the contractor will fulfill payment of all permits and fees associated with any project and follow all the building codes and provisions in Mecklenburg County.
This bond protects Mecklenburg County from liability and consumers from financial losses when the contractor (the principal on the bond) fails to comply with land development rules, ordinances, regulations, fees, or any other provisions of their contract. In these cases, the injured party, typically a consumer (e.g., a homeowner), can file a claim against the bond to recover financial losses up to the bond amount. If the contractor fails to remedy the claim, the surety will compensate the injured party. Ultimately, the contractor is financially responsible for reimbursing the surety for all valid claims paid out.
Who has to get this bond?
All individuals, firms, and businesses, including builders, plumbers, electricians, and mechanics, who work on construction projects within the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County must purchase the Land Use and Construction Bond. With two exceptions:
- A bond is not required for property owners if the work to be completed is less than $2,000.
- A bond is not required for repairs, alterations, or extensions completed in connection to a permit issued to an owner-occupant of a single-family dwelling building or its accessory building, nor for construction or erection of its accessory building when such work does not exceed $30,000.
How much does this bond cost?
The Mecklenburg County Land Use and Construction Bond typically requires a $1,000 or $2,000 bond amount, depending on the location of the work to be completed. In most cases, the premium for this bond can start as low as $100, with no credit check required. If the work completed is in Mecklenburg County only, you must have a minimum bond amount of $1,000. For work completed in the city of Charlotte or both the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, the minimum bond amount must be $2,000.
If for some reason, you require a bond amount greater than $2,000, your premium rate will likely depend on your credit. Applicants with optimal credit may see quotes starting as low as 1% to 2% of the bond amount. We still recommend you apply for a bond even if you have less than optimal credit. At EZ SuretyBonds, we work with over a dozen surety markets to find you the best quotes available.
Obligee information
The obligee, which is the entity that requires you to have a Land Use and Construction Bond, is the Mecklenburg Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA). Their contact information is below:
Mailing address:
Land Use and Environmental Services Agency
2145 Suttle Ave
Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: +1 980-314-2633
How to get your Mecklenburg County Land Use and Construction Bond
The application process with EZ Surety Bonds is quick and free, no matter what type of bond you need. To obtain your Land Use and Construction Bond for Mecklenburg County, simply complete the short application on this page, receive your quote, and pay for your bond.
If at any point you have questions, contact our surety experts at info@ezsuretybonds.com or by calling 1-866-546-4605. We’re here to help!
Frequently asked questions
To become a licensed contractor in North Carolina, you will need to complete the following:
1. Determine your license type (classification and level) and register your business.
2. Verify your financial responsibility by meeting the minimum requirements.
3. Apply for your license online. The application fees range from $75 to $125 (as of 2022) depending on your license type.
4. If you do not meet the minimum financial requirements, you can obtain a state level surety bond instead.
5. Gather the necessary supporting documents and submit them alongside your application form.
6. Pass the license exam. Your application will be reviewed one final time before your license is issued.
Keep in mind that the surety bond obtained at the state level for a contractor license in place of meeting the financial responsibility requirement is different from a bond required at the local county and city level. You can read about how to become a licensed contractor in North Carolina in more detail here.
The Mecklenburg County Land Use and Construction Bond requires a bond amount of either $1,000 or $2,000. You can typically purchase this bond at EZ Surety Bonds without a credit check for a premium somewhere between $100 to $250.
There are some instances where you may be required to have a higher bond amount. In that case, your premium rate will depend on your credit score. For applicants with excellent credit, quotes may start as low as 1% of the bond amount. Apply for your free quote today by filling out the short application on our site.
After your purchase, we will mail the original bond to you. Most obligees require the original bond, signed by the principal (you). Some obligees may allow you to file an electronic version of the bond; however, you should always verify your obligee’s filing requirements before doing anything with your bond.
