Mechanics Lien Deadlines in California
California Civil Code Part 6 sets who may claim a mechanics lien and the deadlines to give preliminary notice, record the claim of lien, and enforce it.
California law grants a mechanics lien to persons who provide authorized work for a private work of improvement, and it conditions that lien on giving preliminary notice, recording a claim of lien, and filing an enforcement action within set periods. The governing statutes are found in the California Civil Code, Part 6, sections 8000 through 9566. The claims below draw each deadline and requirement directly from those code sections.
Filing and enforcing a mechanics lien in California
Any person who provides work authorized for a work of improvement has a lien right under the mechanics lien chapter. 1
Before recording a lien claim, giving a stop payment notice, or asserting a claim against a payment bond, a claimant must give preliminary notice to the persons named in the statute. 2
That preliminary notice must be given not later than 20 days after the claimant first furnishes work on the work of improvement. 3
A direct contractor must record a claim of lien before the earlier of ninety days after completion of the work of improvement, or sixty days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation. 4
The claimant must commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien. 5
A claim of mechanics lien must be a written statement, signed and verified by the claimant, containing the information the statute specifies. 6
Sources
Any person who provides work authorized for a work of improvement has a lien right under the mechanics lien chapter.
Before recording a lien claim, giving a stop payment notice, or asserting a claim against a payment bond, a claimant must give preliminary notice to the persons named in the statute.
A preliminary notice shall be given not later than 20 days after the claimant has first furnished work on the work of improvement.
A direct contractor must record a claim of lien before the earlier of ninety days after completion of the work of improvement, or sixty days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation.
The claimant shall commence an action to enforce a lien within 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien.
A claim of mechanics lien shall be a written statement, signed and verified by the claimant, containing the information specified by statute.
Frequently asked questions
- Who can file a mechanics lien in California?
- A person who provides work authorized for a work of improvement has a lien right under the mechanics lien chapter, including direct contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment lessors, laborers, and design professionals.
- When must a preliminary notice be given?
- A preliminary notice must be given not later than 20 days after the claimant first furnishes work on the work of improvement.
- How long do I have to record a claim of lien?
- A direct contractor must record before the earlier of ninety days after completion or sixty days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation. Another claimant must record before the earlier of ninety days after completion or thirty days after that notice.
- How long do I have to enforce the lien after recording it?
- The claimant must commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien, or the lien expires and is unenforceable.
Last reviewed August 4, 2026
This page is general information about state law, not legal advice. Laws change, and how they apply depends on the facts of your situation.