State Lien Law Quick Reference
Quick reference for mechanics lien deadlines and requirements by state. California is covered in detail first since that's our primary audience.
Always Verify Current Law
Lien laws change frequently. This reference is current as of February 2026. Always consult with a construction attorney familiar with your state's laws before relying on any deadline.
California (Primary Reference)
California is governed by Civil Code §§8000-9566. This is the most comprehensive section since most of our users work in Silicon Valley.
Deadlines
| Action | Deadline | Code Section |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Notice | 20 days from first furnishing | §8200 |
| Notice of Completion (owner) | 15 days after completion | §8182 |
| Mechanics Lien (no NOC) | 90 days from completion | §8412 |
| Mechanics Lien (with NOC - GC) | 60 days from NOC recording | §8412 |
| Mechanics Lien (with NOC - Sub) | 30 days from NOC recording | §8412 |
| Serve lien copy on owner | 15 days from recording | §8416 |
| Foreclosure lawsuit | 90 days from recording lien | §8460 |
| Stop Payment Notice (private) | Before lender disburses | §8500 |
| Stop Payment Notice (public) | 30 days after NOC (or 90 days) | §9356 |
| Payment Bond suit (public) | 6 months after stop notice period | §9558 |
| Design Professional Lien | 90 days from recordation | §8319 |
Who Must Send Preliminary Notice
| Party | Required? |
|---|---|
| Subcontractors | Yes |
| Material suppliers | Yes |
| Equipment lessors | Yes |
| Laborers | Yes |
| General contractors | No (recommended) |
| Design professionals | No |
Lien Waiver Forms
California requires use of statutory waiver forms (Civil Code §§8132-8138). Non-statutory forms are void.
| Form | Code Section | When Used |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional Progress | §8132 | Before receiving progress payment |
| Unconditional Progress | §8134 | After progress payment clears |
| Conditional Final | §8136 | Before receiving final payment |
| Unconditional Final | §8138 | After final payment clears |
Prompt Payment
| Requirement | Rule | Code Section |
|---|---|---|
| GC to Sub (private) | 7 days after receiving owner payment | §8812 |
| Retention release (private) | 7 days after owner pays GC retention | §8814 |
| Late payment penalty (private) | 2% per month | §8818 |
| GC to Sub (public) | 10 days after receiving payment | PCC §10262 |
| Retention release (public) | 60 days after project acceptance | PCC §7107 |
Special California Rules
- No-lien clauses are void (§8120)
- Tenant improvements: AB 2466 (2025) — lien attaches to leasehold interest
- Design professional liens available pre-construction (§8302)
- Bonded stop payment notice: Lender MUST withhold funds (§8532)
- Retention cap: 5% on public works (PCC §9203)
- E-recording: Available in most Silicon Valley counties
Silicon Valley County Recorders
| County | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | (408) 299-5688 | clerkrecorder.sccgov.org |
| San Mateo | (650) 363-4500 | smcacre.org |
| Alameda | (510) 272-6362 | acgov.org/recorder |
| Santa Cruz | (831) 454-2800 | sccoclerk.com |
| San Francisco | (415) 554-4950 | sfassessor.org/recorder |
Texas
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Notice (residential) | 15 days from first furnish | Not required for commercial |
| Preliminary Notice (commercial) | Not required | — |
| Notice of Intent to Lien | 10 days before filing | Required |
| Lien Filing | 15th day of 4th month after last work | Calendar months |
| Lien Foreclosure | 2 years from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- Different rules for residential vs. commercial — commercial is more lenient on notice
- Retainage lien available
- "Fund trapping" notice to owner available
- Must send monthly notices on residential projects
Florida
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to Owner | 45 days from first furnish | Required for subs/suppliers |
| Notice of Intent to Lien | 45 days before filing | Specific form required |
| Lien Filing | 90 days from last work | Calendar days |
| Lien Foreclosure | 1 year from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- Notice to Owner must include specific statutory language
- Must serve on owner and contractor
- "Contractor's Final Payment Affidavit" process
- Fraudulent lien penalties exist — don't overstate your claim
New York
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Notice | Not required | — |
| Lien Filing | 8 months from last work | Filed with county clerk |
| Lien Foreclosure | 1 year from filing | Can extend once |
Special Rules:
- No preliminary notice required
- Trust fund statute (Article 3-A) — construction funds are trust funds
- Public improvement liens have different rules
- Lien can be bonded off by owner/GC
Arizona
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Notice | 20 days from first furnish | Required except for laborers |
| Lien Filing | 120 days from completion | Calendar days |
| Lien Foreclosure | 6 months from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- Must include statutory language in preliminary notice
- Lien attaches to lot and building
- Homeowner protection: must include "Notice of Lien Rights" in certain contracts
- No stop notice statute — use payment bonds on public work
Nevada
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of Right to Lien | 31 days from first furnish | All claimants |
| Lien Filing | 90 days from completion | Calendar days |
| Lien Foreclosure | 6 months from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- Called "Notice of Right to Lien" (not preliminary notice)
- Must be served on owner, GC, and construction control
- Nevada has strong lien protections for contractors
- Public works: NRS Chapter 339 payment bond statute
Washington
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to Owner | 60 days from first furnish | Required for subs/suppliers |
| Lien Filing | 90 days from completion or cessation | Calendar days |
| Lien Foreclosure | 8 months from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- Called "Notice to Owner" or "Pre-Claim Notice"
- Professional services (architects, engineers) have different rules
- "Retainage" statute limits retention to 5% on public works
- Must provide lien release bond information upon request
Oregon
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of Right to a Lien | 8 days from first furnish | Very short window |
| Lien Filing | 75 days from completion | Calendar days |
| Lien Foreclosure | 120 days from filing | Short window |
Special Rules:
- Extremely short 8-day preliminary notice window — send immediately
- Called "Notice of Right to a Lien"
- Must be in specific statutory form
- 120-day foreclosure deadline is one of the shortest in the nation
Colorado
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Notice | Not required | — |
| Notice of Intent to Lien | 10 days before filing | Required |
| Lien Filing | 4 months from last work | Calendar months |
| Lien Foreclosure | 6 months from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- No preliminary notice required
- Notice of intent to lien required 10 days before filing
- Must serve notice of intent on owner and GC
- Lien statement must include specific statutory elements
Illinois
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to Owner | 60 days from first furnish | Subs only, not GCs |
| Lien Filing | 4 months from completion | Calendar months |
| Lien Foreclosure | 2 years from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- Subcontractors must send notice to owner within 60 days
- GCs do not need to send notice
- "Waiver of lien" forms are common but must comply with statute
- Lien covers interest of owner who authorized the improvement
Georgia
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Notice | Not required | — |
| Notice of Commencement | Filed by owner | Owner obligation |
| Lien Filing | 90 days from completion | Calendar days |
| Lien Foreclosure | 365 days from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- No preliminary notice required
- Owner may file "Notice of Commencement" — if filed, you must send a "Notice to Contractor"
- Lien must be filed in Superior Court clerk's office
- "Interim lien" available during construction
North Carolina
| Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Notice | Not required | — |
| Lien Agent | Designated on projects over $30K | Must file notice with lien agent |
| Lien Filing | 120 days from last furnishing | Calendar days |
| Lien Foreclosure | 180 days from filing | Absolute deadline |
Special Rules:
- "Lien Agent" system — owner designates agent for receiving notices
- Must file "Notice to Lien Agent" within 15 days of first furnishing (projects over $30K)
- No traditional preliminary notice
- Subrogation rights available
General Principles Across All States
Preliminary Notice
- Most states require notice within 20-60 days of first work
- Some states (NY, CO, GA) don't require preliminary notice
- Late notices typically only protect recent work
- Always send via certified mail with return receipt
Lien Filing
- Typically 60-120 days from last work or completion
- Must include accurate property description
- Must be recorded with county recorder or clerk
- Verify correct legal description before filing
Foreclosure
- Usually 90 days to 2 years from lien filing
- Missing foreclosure deadline makes lien unenforceable
- Owner can petition to remove expired lien
- Foreclosure is a lawsuit — requires attorney
Public Works
- Cannot lien government property in any state
- Payment bonds (Miller Act federal, state equivalents) are the remedy
- Stop payment notices available in many states
- Preliminary notice requirements often still apply
Related Resources
- Lien Deadline Calculator — California-specific calculator
- Notice Deadline Calculator — Multi-state notice deadlines
- Preliminary Notice Generator — California statutory form
- Lien Waiver Generator — California statutory forms
- Construction Lien Law Guide — Comprehensive California guide
Last updated: February 2026. Always verify current law with legal counsel.