Posting Securities
Under some circumstances you may be able to request to post a security for certain required improvements, see the Whatcom County Development Standards Chapter 5 - Road Standards or Chapter 2 - Stormwater Management for more details. The County Engineer shall determine improvements for which securities may be posted.

• Building Permits and Trail Permits: All improvements for safety and health must be completed before occupancy.
• Short Plats: You may request to post a security for the roadway in order to record the plat. The roadway must be constructed before a building permit is issued on any lot.
• Long Plats: You may request to post a security for any improvements that are not required for the subdivision to stand on its own. This means that all necessary utilities must be available. For minor items listed on a final inspection punch list, you may post a security, but the roadway must be functionally constructed before a building permit is issued on any lot.

Types of Securities
Types of securities include:

• Assigned savings
• Bonds
• Cash deposits
• Other assurance devices as may be approved by the County Engineer

The bond is obtained through a bonding or insurance company. An assignment of savings places a hold on the agreed amount of savings within a bank savings account.

Reasons for Posting Security
There are also 2 other reasons for posting a security, work to be completed (performance security) and a guarantee of completed work (maintenance security). Maintenance securities are required on all work completed on public roads and stormwater facilities. The duration is 1 year for work on an existing public road and 2 years for a new public road and/or stormwater facilities.