Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Oregon
Oregon construction lien claimants must perfect a claim of lien within a set number of days tied to when they stopped furnishing labor or materials or to completion of construction, and must bring suit to enforce it within a set period after the claim of lien is filed.
Oregon calls its mechanics lien a construction lien, governed by the Construction Lien Law in ORS Chapter 87. The statutes describe who may claim a lien, the notice of right to a lien that many claimants must give the owner, the deadline to perfect the lien by filing a claim of lien with the county recording officer, and the deadline to bring suit to enforce the lien. The sections below quote the operative deadlines and the events they run from.
Filing and enforcing a mechanics lien in Oregon
Under ORS 87.
A person claiming a lien under ORS 87.010 (1) or (2) must perfect the lien not later than 75 days after ceasing to provide labor, rent equipment or furnish materials, or 75 days after completion of construction, whichever is earlier. 1
Every other person claiming a lien created under ORS 87.010 must perfect the lien not later than 75 days after the completion of construction. 2
A lien is perfected by filing a claim of lien with the recording officer of the county or counties in which the improvement is situated. 3
No lien binds an improvement for longer than 120 days after the claim of lien is filed unless suit is brought in a proper court within that time to enforce the lien. 4
For an owner-occupied residence, no lien is created under ORS 87.010 (5) or (6) for services provided at the request of an agent of the owner. 5
Sources
A person claiming a lien created under ORS 87.010 (1) or (2) must perfect the lien not later than 75 days after the person has ceased to provide labor, rent equipment or furnish materials or 75 days after completion of construction, whichever is earlier.
Every other person claiming a lien created under ORS 87.010 must perfect the lien not later than 75 days after the completion of construction.
A lien created under ORS 87.010 is perfected by filing a claim of lien with the recording officer of the county or counties in which the improvement, or some part of it, is situated.
No lien created under ORS 87.010 binds an improvement for longer than 120 days after the claim of lien is filed unless suit is brought in a proper court within that time to enforce the lien.
No lien is created under ORS 87.010 (5) or (6) for any services provided for an owner-occupied residence at the request of an agent of the owner.
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I have to file an Oregon construction lien?
- A person claiming a lien under ORS 87.010 (1) or (2) must perfect the lien not later than 75 days after ceasing to provide labor, rent equipment or furnish materials, or 75 days after completion of construction, whichever is earlier. Every other claimant must perfect not later than 75 days after completion of construction.
- Where is the claim of lien filed?
- A lien created under ORS 87.010 is perfected by filing a claim of lien with the recording officer of the county or counties in which the improvement, or some part of it, is situated.
- How long do I have to enforce the lien?
- No lien binds an improvement for longer than 120 days after the claim of lien is filed unless suit is brought in a proper court within that time to enforce the lien.
- Do I have to give the owner notice?
- A person furnishing covered materials, equipment, services or labor must give a notice of right to a lien to the owner of the site. The notice only protects the right to perfect a lien for materials, equipment and labor or services provided after a date that is eight days, not counting weekends and holidays, before the notice is delivered or mailed.
Last reviewed 8.4.26
This page is general information about state law, not legal advice. Laws change, and how they apply depends on the facts of your situation.