How to File a Mechanics Lien in California
Step 1 — Confirm you have lien rights in California
California's recorded rules cover subcontractors and suppliers, general contractors, design professionals (Cal. Civ. Code § 8200). Each of those roles has its own filing window — see Step 3. California rule detail: REQUIRED PREREQUISITE. No notice = no lien rights, no stop notice rights, no bond claim rights. Serve on owner, GC, AND lender. If served late, only covers work in 20 days before service and onward. Send by certified mail, express mail, or overnight delivery.
Step 2 — Send the California preliminary notice
California requires a preliminary notice 20 days, prelim from first furnishing (Cal. Civ. Code § 8414). It is a precondition, not a formality. It must reach County Recorder and Owner AND Prime Contractor AND Construction Lender and Construction Lender and Public Entity and Prime and Public Entity and Prime Contractor and Surety and Prime Contractor and Owner, Construction Lender, and GC and Superior Court and Public Entity (Awarding Body). Delivery: Certified Mail, Express Mail, or Overnight Delivery, Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. California rule detail: NO NOC FILED: Sub/supplier has 90 days from completion of the entire work of improvement. Cannot file lien while still providing work on the project. If owner records NOC, deadline shortens to only 30 days — monitor for NOC recording.
Step 3 — Your California filing deadline
California sets the window by claimant role: • Subcontractors and suppliers: within 90 days of project completion, or within 30 days of noc recorded. • General contractors: within 90 days of project completion, or within 60 days of noc recorded. • Design professionals: within 90 days of your last day of work or materials. The clock runs from completion (60 after noc) — not your invoice date. Punch-list and warranty callbacks generally do not restart it. California rule detail: IF OWNER RECORDS NOC: Deadline shortens to ONLY 30 days from NOC recording date. This is the most commonly missed California deadline. Always monitor for NOC recording at the County Recorder's office.
Step 4 — Prepare and record the lien in California
Record in the county where the property sits, under Cal. Civ. Code § 8412. The document must identify the property, the owner of record, the amount actually owed, and what you furnished. Overstating the amount can void the claim outright. California rule detail: NO NOC FILED: GC has 90 days from completion of the entire work of improvement. If owner records NOC, deadline shortens to 60 days from NOC recording date.
Step 5 — Serve the recorded California lien
California requires service on County Recorder and Owner AND Prime Contractor AND Construction Lender and Construction Lender and Public Entity and Prime and Public Entity and Prime Contractor and Surety and Prime Contractor and Owner, Construction Lender, and GC and Superior Court and Public Entity (Awarding Body). Use Certified Mail, Express Mail, or Overnight Delivery or Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested and keep the receipt. In many states an unserved lien is unenforceable even though it appears on title. California rule detail: IF OWNER RECORDS NOC: GC deadline shortens to 60 days from NOC recording date. Always check if NOC has been recorded.
Step 6 — Enforce before the California deadline expires
You must sue to foreclose within 90 days (recording) (Cal. Civ. Code § 8460). Miss it and the lien expires and title clears, leaving only a contract claim. California rule detail: CRITICAL: 90 days from RECORDING DATE not last furnishing. Missing this permanently extinguishes the lien. No exceptions. Can be extended if owner agrees to extend credit and both parties sign a filed Extension of Credit.
California stop notice option
California also recognises a stop notice, which reaches undisbursed construction funds rather than the property itself (Cal. Civ. Code § 9356). It can be used alongside a lien. California rule detail: STOP PAYMENT NOTICE on construction lender. Freezes loan funds. 90 days from completion if no NOC; 30 days from NOC if NOC recorded. Requires prior 20-day preliminary notice (§ 8200). Lender must withhold 125% of claimed amount.
Retainage rules that affect your California claim
California treats retainage on its own schedule (Cal. Civ. Code § 8812), so money still held back may have a different due date than your progress billings. California rule detail: Required prerequisite for public works stop notice and bond rights.
Other California requirements that void liens
• 30 days after NOC. If no NOC: 90 days from actual completion. • 30 days after NOC. If no NOC: 90 days from completion. • Suit on public works payment bond within 6 months of completion. • Second-tier claimants only. No notice = no bond claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in California?
California requires the lien to be recorded within 90 days, measured from completion (60 after noc). The exact window depends on your role — subcontractors and suppliers: within 90 days of project completion, or within 30 days of noc recorded.
Do I need to send a preliminary notice before filing in California?
Yes. California requires a preliminary notice 20 days (prelim from first furnishing). Failing to send it on time generally forfeits your lien rights entirely, regardless of how much you are owed.
Where do I file a mechanics lien in California?
File with the county recorder's office in the county where the property is located. Filing in the wrong county does not preserve your deadline, and re-filing in the correct county after the deadline will not save the claim.
What happens if I miss the California filing deadline?
Your lien rights are extinguished. California courts do not grant extensions for missed mechanics lien deadlines. You would be left with a breach-of-contract claim against whoever hired you, which carries no security interest in the property and is far harder to collect.
How long does a mechanics lien last in California?
Once recorded, you must file suit to enforce within 90 days (recording). If you do not, the lien expires automatically and no longer clouds the property's title.