Do I need to send a preliminary notice in California?

Every claimant except laborers must give preliminary notice to the owner, the direct contractor and the construction lender (Civ. Code 8200). A direct contractor in a direct contract with the owner only has to give it to the construction lender, if there is one (8200(e)(2)). Within 20 days after the claimant first furnishes work on the work of improvement (Civ. Code 8204).

How long do I have to file a lien in California?

Direct contractors: record after completing the direct contract and before the earlier of 90 days after completion of the work of improvement or 60 days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation (Civ. Code 8412). All other claimants: record after ceasing to provide work and before the earlier of 90 days after completion or 30 days after a recorded notice of completion or cessation (Civ. Code 8414).

How long does a California lien last before I have to enforce it?

Commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after recording the claim of lien, or it expires and is unenforceable (Civ. Code 8460). A recorded credit extension can push this out, but never later than one year after completion.

Mechanics lien law

California lien deadlines for contractors

Updated September 24, 2026 · Checked against primary sources

The short answer

In California, subcontractors and suppliers must serve a preliminary notice within 20 days of first furnishing work. Direct contractors record a lien after finishing their contract but within 90 days after completion, or 60 days after a recorded notice of completion; everyone else within 90 days, or 30 days after that notice. Sue to foreclose within 90 days after recording.

The deadlines

Step	Rule
Preliminary notice: who	Every claimant except laborers must give preliminary notice to the owner, the direct contractor and the construction lender (Civ. Code 8200). A direct contractor in a direct contract with the owner only has to give it to the construction lender, if there is one (8200(e)(2)).
Preliminary notice: when	Within 20 days after the claimant first furnishes work on the work of improvement (Civ. Code 8204) (A late notice is allowed but only protects work furnished within 20 days before it was given and after (8204(a)).)
File or register the lien	Direct contractors: record after completing the direct contract and before the earlier of 90 days after completion of the work of improvement or 60 days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation (Civ. Code 8412). All other claimants: record after ceasing to provide work and before the earlier of 90 days after completion or 30 days after a recorded notice of completion or cessation (Civ. Code 8414).
Enforce or perfect it	Commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after recording the claim of lien, or it expires and is unenforceable (Civ. Code 8460). A recorded credit extension can push this out, but never later than one year after completion.

Other notices and rules

A copy of the claim of lien, including the Notice of Mechanics Lien and a proof of service affidavit, must be served on the owner; failure makes the lien unenforceable as a matter of law (Civ. Code 8416).

Common questions

Do I need to send a preliminary notice in California?: Every claimant except laborers must give preliminary notice to the owner, the direct contractor and the construction lender (Civ. Code 8200). A direct contractor in a direct contract with the owner only has to give it to the construction lender, if there is one (8200(e)(2)). Within 20 days after the claimant first furnishes work on the work of improvement (Civ. Code 8204).
How long do I have to file a lien in California?: Direct contractors: record after completing the direct contract and before the earlier of 90 days after completion of the work of improvement or 60 days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation (Civ. Code 8412). All other claimants: record after ceasing to provide work and before the earlier of 90 days after completion or 30 days after a recorded notice of completion or cessation (Civ. Code 8414).
How long does a California lien last before I have to enforce it?: Commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after recording the claim of lien, or it expires and is unenforceable (Civ. Code 8460). A recorded credit extension can push this out, but never later than one year after completion.

General information from the statutes cited below, checked 2026-09-24. Lien law is strict and details depend on your role and contract. Confirm with a construction lawyer in California before relying on a deadline.

Where Pavado comes in

How Pavado builds a CRM around your jobs

Lien rights are usually lost to a calendar, not a court. We build CRMs that start each job's notice and lien clocks from its real start and completion dates and remind you before every deadline, so the rights you earned by doing the work are still there when a customer stops paying.

Instead of bending your shop around someone else's software, we build the system around how your jobs actually move, and connect it to what you already use.

Your pipeline, your stages. From first call to paid invoice, set up the way your team already works.
Automations for the busywork. Follow-ups, reminders and handoffs that happen without anyone remembering.
One record per customer. Calls, quotes, jobs, photos and invoices in one place instead of five apps.
Connected to your stack. QuickBooks or Xero, Gmail or Outlook, payments and e-sign, plus thousands more through Zapier and an API.

1.Book a free demo and walk us through how a job moves today.
2.We map the workflow and send a scoped proposal, free.
3.We build it, connect your tools and get your team using it.

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Go deeper

Other states

Sources

Cite this page

Pavado, “California Lien Deadlines 2026: Notice and Filing”, https://www.pavadotech.com/lien-deadlines/california, updated 2026-09-24.