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California: State-by-State Summary of Construction Liens

California

Commencement notice (Private): No.

Completion notice (Private): Optional.

Preliminary lien notice (Private): 20 days after the date of first performance of the work .

Pre-lien notice (Private): Not required.

Lien claim (Private): 90 days after completion of the entire work.

Deadline to file suit (Private): 90 days after recording the lien except that in no event can filing occur more than a year of completion of the entire work.

Bonding permitted (Private): Yes, must be 125% of the lien value.

Statutory lien waiver form (Private): Yes.

Special notes: Time period for filing lien can be reduced to 60 days for prime contractor and 30 days for subcontractors if a Notice of Completion or a Notice of Cessation is filed.

Disclaimer: This information was published on January 1, 2020. Please contact Josh Levy, Eric Meier or Samantha Schacht for modifications made by California since that date. Visit our 50-State Construction Law Map for information on other states.