Mechanics lien law
Louisiana lien deadlines for contractors
Updated · Checked against primary sources
The short answer
In Louisiana, file a statement of claim or privilege within 60 days after the owner files a notice of termination, or after substantial completion or abandonment if none is filed. If a notice of contract was filed, subs and suppliers get 30 days after the notice of termination. Sue within 1 year after filing your statement or the claim is extinguished.
The deadlines
| Step | Rule |
|---|---|
| Preliminary notice: who | No general preliminary notice is required under the Private Works Act for primes, subs or suppliers. The former seller notice of nonpayment requirement was repealed by Acts 2019, No. 325. |
| Preliminary notice: when | Not applicable. Optional: on residential work with no timely notice of contract, a claimant who gives the owner a notice of nonpayment at least 10 days before filing (and within the normal 60-day window) extends the filing deadline to 70 days. (On bonded jobs, a seller may send a notice of nonpayment to the general contractor, surety and owner no sooner than 45 days after delivery; if still unpaid 90 days after delivery, the surety must pay within 10 days of a payment notice (R.S. 9:4812).) |
| File or register the lien | Default: file the statement of claim or privilege in the parish mortgage records no later than 60 days after a notice of termination is filed, or 60 days after substantial completion or abandonment if no notice of termination is filed. If a notice of contract was properly and timely filed: subs, suppliers and other R.S. 9:4802 claimants must file and deliver a copy to the owner within 30 days after a notice of termination is filed (or 6 months after substantial completion if none), and a general contractor must file within 60 days after the notice of termination (or 7 months after substantial completion if none). |
| Enforce or perfect it | Institute an action against the owner within 1 year after filing the statement of claim or privilege, or the claim and privilege are extinguished. A claim against the contractor or its surety survives if suit against them is filed within 1 year after the filing period under R.S. 9:4822 expires. |
| Residential jobs | For residential home improvements on an owner-occupied single-family dwelling, the contractor must deliver a signed Notice of Lien Rights to the owner before or when the contract is signed (Residential Truth in Construction Act, R.S. 9:4851 to 4855); failure exposes the contractor to owner damages and attorney fees if liens are perfected. On residential work without a timely notice of contract, a notice of nonpayment to the owner extends the filing window to 70 days. |
Other notices and rules
- Notice of contract: must be filed before work begins; a general contractor whose contract exceeds $100,000 has no privilege unless the notice of contract was timely filed (R.S. 9:4811(D)).
- Notice of termination: filed by the owner; it starts the filing clock. The owner must file one within 10 days of a general contractor's request once work is substantially complete or abandoned (R.S. 9:4822(F)).
- Request for notice: a 4802 claimant may ask the owner in writing to notify it of substantial completion or notice of termination; if the owner fails to notify, the personal claim against the owner survives for 1 year after the filing period, though the privilege is lost (R.S. 9:4822(I), (J)).
- A filed notice of contract with a compliant payment bond relieves the owner of sub and supplier claims (R.S. 9:4802(C)).
Common questions
- Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Louisiana?
- No general preliminary notice is required under the Private Works Act for primes, subs or suppliers. The former seller notice of nonpayment requirement was repealed by Acts 2019, No. 325. Not applicable. Optional: on residential work with no timely notice of contract, a claimant who gives the owner a notice of nonpayment at least 10 days before filing (and within the normal 60-day window) extends the filing deadline to 70 days..
- How long do I have to file a lien in Louisiana?
- Default: file the statement of claim or privilege in the parish mortgage records no later than 60 days after a notice of termination is filed, or 60 days after substantial completion or abandonment if no notice of termination is filed. If a notice of contract was properly and timely filed: subs, suppliers and other R.S. 9:4802 claimants must file and deliver a copy to the owner within 30 days after a notice of termination is filed (or 6 months after substantial completion if none), and a general contractor must file within 60 days after the notice of termination (or 7 months after substantial completion if none).
- How long does a Louisiana lien last before I have to enforce it?
- Institute an action against the owner within 1 year after filing the statement of claim or privilege, or the claim and privilege are extinguished. A claim against the contractor or its surety survives if suit against them is filed within 1 year after the filing period under R.S. 9:4822 expires.
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 Louisiana before relying on a deadline. Verified against current text on legis.la.gov (Private Works Act, last amended by Acts 2019, No. 325, which repealed the former seller notice in R.S. 9:4802(G)). Louisiana calls the lien a statement of claim or privilege, filed in the parish mortgage records.
Where Pavado comes in
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Go deeper
- GuideWhen to File a Construction Lien: 2026 DeadlinesFile while the clock runs: 30 to 60 days in Canada (60 in Ontario), 90 to 180 in most US states, counted from completion. Registering costs $200 to $500.
- GuideCustomer Short Paid the Final Invoice: 5 MovesBefore you chase the balance, decide whether to deposit the cheque. In the US, cashing one marked 'paid in full' can legally erase what you are owed.
- GuideHow to Collect a Contractor Deposit: 5 RulesMake the deposit due 3 to 5 business days before the start date, size it to your upfront spend, and check state caps: California's is $1,000, not $10,000.
- GuideProgress Payment Schedule: 6 Rules That Get PaidEight states cap what you can collect up front. California's limit is $1,000. How to build a draw schedule under your legal ceiling and stay cash positive.
Other states
- USAlabama lien deadlines
- USAlaska lien deadlines
- USArizona lien deadlines
- USArkansas lien deadlines
- USCalifornia lien deadlines
- USColorado lien deadlines
Sources
- La. R.S. 9:4801 (privileges, owner contracts)
- La. R.S. 9:4802 (claims against owner and contractor)
- La. R.S. 9:4811 (notice of contract)
- La. R.S. 9:4812 (bond; seller notice of nonpayment)
- La. R.S. 9:4822 (preservation of claims and privileges)
- La. R.S. 9:4823 (extinguishment)
- La. R.S. 9:4852 (residential notice of lien rights)
Cite this page
Pavado, “Louisiana Lien Deadlines 2026: Notice and Filing”, https://www.pavadotech.com/lien-deadlines/louisiana, updated 2026-09-24.