Arizona Mechanics Lien Statutes: Deadlines, Venues & Citations
Where Arizona liens are filed and enforced
A Arizona mechanics lien is filed with the County Recorder in the county where the project sits — 120 days from completion. Filing in the wrong county does not perfect the claim, which matters on projects that straddle county lines. Those are two different clocks against two different offices, and Arizona claimants lose rights far more often by missing the second one than the first.
Arizona deadlines by claimant role
For subcontractors and suppliers: Preliminary notice — 20 days from first furnishing (A.R.S. § 33-992.01); Record the lien — 120 days from project completion (A.R.S. § 33-993); file suit — 6 months from lien recorded (A.R.S. § 33-998); bond notice — 90 days from last furnishing (A.R.S. § 34-223); file suit — 1 years from last furnishing (A.R.S. § 34-223); miller act notice — 90 days from last furnishing (40 U.S.C. § 3133(b)(2)). For general contractors: Record the lien — 120 days from project completion (A.R.S. § 33-993); record notice of completion — 0 days from project completion (A.R.S. § 33-993.01). Every window runs from the claimant's own dates, not the unpaid invoice date.
Rules specific to Arizona
REQUIRED: Serve preliminary 20-day notice within 20 days of first furnishing. If served late, covers only work done in 20 days before notice and after. File claim of lien within 120 days of completion or last furnishing (whichever is later). Serve copy on owner within 15 days of recording. File claim of lien within 120 days of completion. No preliminary notice required for prime contractors. File suit to foreclose lien within 6 months of recording. Lien expires if no suit filed within this period. Written notice within 90 days of last furnishing. No mechanic's lien on public property; bond claim is sole remedy. File suit on payment bond within 1 year of last furnishing. No sooner than 90 days, no later than 1 year from last furnishing. Prime must pay sub within 7 days of receiving payment from owner. Interest at 1%/month on late amounts after written demand.
How Arizona notices must be served
Arizona requires 20 days — Prelim from first furnishing. Accepted delivery for the notices tracked here: Written notice. Service runs to the Owner, Lender, and GC. Keep the proof of service in the project file — Arizona disputes over whether a notice was properly served are decided on that documentation.
Public projects in Arizona
No lien attaches to public property in Arizona. On public state local and public federal work the remedy is a payment bond claim instead — bond notice within 90 days of last furnishing, served on the Prime Contractor and Surety (A.R.S. § 34-223). 4 public-project deadlines are tracked for Arizona.
Arizona statute citations
The Arizona deadlines above come from A.R.S. § 33-992.01, A.R.S. § 33-993, A.R.S. § 33-998, A.R.S. § 34-223, 40 U.S.C. § 3133(b)(2), 40 U.S.C. § 3133(b)(1), A.R.S. § 32-1129.02, A.R.S. § 32-1129.04, A.R.S. § 33-993.01. Statutes are amended periodically — verify current text before relying on any date, and consult a licensed Arizona construction attorney on a specific project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you have to file a mechanics lien in Arizona?
120 days — From completion. The filing goes to the County Recorder in the project's county. See A.R.S. § 33-993. The clock runs from the claimant's own last furnishing or completion, not the invoice date.
Where do you file a mechanics lien in Arizona?
With the County Recorder in the county where the property is located. Recording in the wrong county does not perfect the lien.
Does Arizona require a preliminary notice?
Yes — 20 days. Prelim from first furnishing. Accepted service includes Written notice.
How long do you have to enforce a Arizona mechanics lien?
6 months — From filing. A recorded lien left unenforced past that window generally expires and can expose the claimant to slander-of-title risk if it stays on record.
When must retainage be released in Arizona?
Retainage released within 60 days of substantial completion. 10% maximum retainage on private projects. (A.R.S. § 32-1129.04).