Greensburg considers eliminating compliance bond for construction projects

Greensburg City Council is considering a measure that would eliminate a hefty up-front cost for construction projects.

City code requires developers to pay a compliance bond before beginning a project. The size of the bond is three times the project’s permit fee, which varies based on the scope of the work.

The city returns the money to developers when a project is finished — or keeps it if a project isn’t built up to code.

The city recently commissioned a report on regulatory barriers to development, which it released last month. The report made many suggestions on how to make life easier for would-be developers, including eliminating the compliance bond.

The bond is unusual — other surrounding communities don’t have it — and unnecessary, according to the report.

Council is expected to introduce a bill next week that would eliminate the compliance bond.

Typically, a final vote on a bill happens the month after it is introduced.