Ohio Notice of Commencement — Filing Guide & Form (2026)
✓ Verified against Ohio statutes · Reviewed August 2026 · By Michael Evan — Founder · 50 states · 799 rules
Ohio mechanics lien deadlines at a glance
Preliminary Notice
NOC-triggered — Notice of Furnishing
Mechanics Lien
75 days (comm) / 60 (res) — From last date of furnishing
Enforcement
6 years — From filing
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Who Records the Ohio NOC
The owner, part owner, or lessee contracting for the improvement (not the contractor) records the Notice of Commencement under Ohio Rev. Code § 1311.04. This is the structural reverse of Georgia (contractor-filed) and aligns Ohio with the Florida and Michigan owner-filed approach. The party with the construction contract has the statutory duty, and that party bears the consequence if the Notice is not timely recorded and posted. Where the contracting party is a lessee, the Notice must also identify the underlying fee owner under § 1311.04(B)(3).
When the Ohio NOC Must Be Recorded
Before performance of any labor or work or the furnishing of any materials. Ohio does not use a fixed day-count window like Georgia's 15 days — the test is whether the Notice is on file before any physical work begins. Site clearing, mobilization, demolition, and the first delivery of materials to the jobsite all count as commencement under R.C. § 1311.04. The owner must also post a copy of the Notice in a conspicuous place at the project site under § 1311.04(C).
Required Information on the Ohio NOC
Ohio Rev. Code § 1311.04(B) requires the Notice to identify the legal description of the real property, the name and address of the owner/part owner/lessee contracting for the improvement, the name and address of the fee owner (if contracting party is a lessee), the name and address of the original contractor, the name and address of any construction lender, the name and address of any surety on a payment bond, the name and address of the designee for Notices of Furnishing, and a statement of the 21-day Notice of Furnishing requirement under § 1311.05.
Where to Record and Recording Fees
Record with the county recorder in the Ohio county where the real property is located. Ohio has 88 counties — major filing offices include Cuyahoga (Cleveland), Franklin (Columbus), Hamilton (Cincinnati), Summit (Akron), Montgomery (Dayton), Lucas (Toledo), and Stark (Canton). Recording fees are set under Ohio Rev. Code § 317.32 and typically run $34 for the first two pages plus $8 for each additional page. A standard one-page Notice with two pages of supporting attachments is usually $50 or less to record statewide.
Consequences of Failing to Record
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 1311.04(L), if the owner fails to timely record and post the Notice, subcontractors and material suppliers are excused from the 21-day Notice of Furnishing requirement under § 1311.05, and they retain full mechanics lien rights without giving downstream notice. The penalty falls on the owner — not on subs and suppliers. Owners on financed Ohio projects are generally required by their lender to record the Notice as a closing condition.
Connection to the 21-Day Notice of Furnishing
When a valid Notice of Commencement is recorded and posted, every subcontractor, sub-subcontractor, and material supplier without a direct contract with the owner must serve a Notice of Furnishing on the owner's designee and the original contractor within 21 days after first furnishing labor or material under Ohio Rev. Code § 1311.05. Late notice limits the claimant's lien to amounts furnished after, and within 21 days before, the Notice was actually served.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records the Ohio Notice of Commencement?
The owner, part owner, or lessee contracting for the improvement files the Notice under R.C. § 1311.04 — not the contractor. The Notice must be recorded with the county recorder and posted at the jobsite before any labor or material is furnished.
When must the Ohio NOC be recorded?
Before performance of any labor or work or the furnishing of any materials. Ohio does not use a fixed day-count window — the test is whether the Notice is on file before any physical work begins.
What information is required on the Ohio NOC?
R.C. § 1311.04(B) requires legal description, owner/lessee name and address, fee owner name and address (if contracting party is a lessee), original contractor name and address, lender name and address, surety name and address, designee name and address, and a statement of the 21-day Notice of Furnishing requirement.
Where do I record an Ohio NOC?
Record with the county recorder in the Ohio county where the property is located. Ohio has 88 counties — major filing offices include Cuyahoga (Cleveland), Franklin (Columbus), Hamilton (Cincinnati), Summit (Akron), Montgomery (Dayton), Lucas (Toledo), and Stark (Canton). The recording fee under R.C. § 317.32 is typically $34 for the first two pages plus $8 each additional page.
What happens if an Ohio owner does not record a Notice?
Under R.C. § 1311.04(L), downstream claimants are excused from the 21-day Notice of Furnishing requirement under § 1311.05 and retain full mechanics lien rights without giving downstream notice. The penalty falls on the owner — not on subs and suppliers.
How does the Ohio NOC connect to the Notice of Furnishing?
When a valid NOC is on file, subs and suppliers without a direct contract with the owner must serve a Notice of Furnishing on the designee and original contractor within 21 days of first furnishing under § 1311.05. Late notice limits lien rights to amounts furnished after, and within 21 days before, actual service.