Mechanic's Lien Guide
California Mechanic's Lien Guide
Lien deadlines, notice requirements, and filing procedures for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in California.
California Lien Deadlines
Preliminary Notice
20 daysMust be given within 20 days of starting work.
Mechanic's lien
90 daysMust be filed within 90 days of project completion. However, if the project owner files a notice of completion, the mechanic's lien deadline for a subcontractor to file is shortened to 30 days from the date the notice is filed. Enforcement must be initiated within 90 days after lien filing. This deadline can be extended if both owner and claimant agree to a Notice of Credit.
Calculate your California Mechanics Lien Deadline
Your project
DISCLAIMER: These deadlines are pulled from recent lien laws, but you should consult a lien expert or lawyer to understand the deadlines specific to your situation.
California deadlines
Showing deadlines for a Subcontractor. Deadlines can vary by role.
Enter your project dates on the left to calculate exact deadline dates.
Preliminary Notice
20 days from first providing materials or labor
Enter project dates to calculate
Mechanics Lien Filing
90 days from completion of the project; shortened to 30 days from the date a Notice of Completion or cessation is filed
Enter project dates to calculate
Enforcement (foreclosure)
3 months from completion of the project
Calculated once you record the lien
California Lien Guide
Preliminary Notice & Notice of Intent
Preliminary Notice: A 20-day notice is required for most parties not in direct contract. General contractors are not required to serve a notice if they are contracted directly with the owner. Notice of Intent to Lien: Optional, with a 10-day suggestion.
Who Can File a Mechanic's Lien
Contractors, subcontractors, laborers, suppliers, and design professionals are entitled to mechanic's lien rights in California. Contractors that do not have the required state business and/or contractor licenses for the work they perform do not have lien rights. -If materials are supplied to a job site and those materials are not incorporated into the permanent improvements of the job site, the contractor or supplier that provided the materials has NO lien rights. Discuss next steps with legal counsel. -On tenant improvements, if the real property owner records at the county a Notice of Non-Responsibility and posts the document per the state requirements, contractors do not have lien rights against the real property and may only have lien rights against the leasehold interest of the tenant.
Who Gets the Notice
Notice is given to the project owner, general contractor, and lender.
Information Required
Information needed to file a mechanic's lien in California includes: - Project owner’s name - General contractor’s name - Party claimant contracted with - Labor/materials description - Property description (address), parcel number, and full legal description - Lien claim amount - Claimant’s info - Claimant’s role - Verification statement of claimant representative
California Public Works
In California, a mechanic's lien on public works projects is not available. Payment bonds are required on all public works projects over $25,000 by the general contractor. Subcontractors and suppliers can file a stop payment notice and bond claim against the payment bond. A 20-day preliminary notice should be served on the surety in order to preserve bond claim rights. A stop payment notice may also be served at the time of the bond claim, and suit must be filed within 6 months of that stop payment notice due date.
California Lien Statutes
Official Resources
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