State Statutes

Note: This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive discussion of all state statutes on construction or mechanic’s lien laws, but does include basic provisions.This by no means constitutes a complete discussion of construction lien law and should not be interpreted as such. Parties seeking to know more about construction laws in their State should always consult their State statutes directly or an attorney.

State Statutes

ALABAMA DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 4 months from last furnishing
Notice of Unpaid Balance must be served 5 days prior to actual Lien being filed Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 6 months from due date of last invoice Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from Completion of project

ALASKA DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing or 15 days from Owners notice of Completion Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 6 months from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from completion of project

ARIZONA DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Within 20 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 20 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 20 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 60 days of Notice of Completion or 120 days from Completion of project Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 6 months from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from final furnishing

ARKANSAS LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing
Notice of Unpaid Balance must be served 75 days from last furnishing Lien
Within 120 days from last furnishing
Intent to Lien must be filed 10 days prior to Actual Lien being filed Bond Claim
Within 90 days of last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 15 months from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 6 months from of last furnishing

CALIFORNIA DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Within 20 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 20 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 20 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from Completion of Project or 30 days from Notice of Completion Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 6 months of last furnishing or 6 months from Completion of Project Suit on Bond
Within 6 months from Completion of Project

COLORADO DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Lien
Within 4 months from last furnishing
Lien notice must be served 10 days prior to actual Lien Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 6 months from last month or 6 months from Completion of Project Suit on Bond
Within 90 days from final settlement

CONNECTICUT LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing
Notice of Intent to Lien must be served with lien Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 1 year from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

DELAWARE LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing(Done by filing a Lawsuit) Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 90 days from last furnishing Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from Completion of Project

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Lien
Within 3 months from Completion of Project Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 1 year date Lien was filed or 6 months from Completion of Project Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from final payment on Original Contract

FLORIDA LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Within 40 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 40 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 40 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 1 year from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

GEORGIA LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Within 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 3 months from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 12 months from date debt became due Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from Completion of Project

IDAHO DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 6 months from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 6 months from Completion of Project

ILLINOIS LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Lien Notice within 90 days from last furnishing
Lien within 4 months from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing up to 180 days
Lien on State funds 60 days from last furnshing Foreclosure
Within 2 years from date of last furnishing Suit on Bond
Within 6 months from Completion of Project Lien on Funds
Within 90 days from date lien filed

INDIANA DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Residential Existing)
Within 60 days From first furnishing(New Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 60 days from last furnishing
Within 90 days from last furnishing (Commercial) Bond Claim
Within 60 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 1 year from date Lien was filed or 30 days from Notice to Commence Suit Suit on Bond
Within 60 days of Completion of Project

IOWA LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Within 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 30 days from Completion of Project Foreclosure
Within 2 years from last furnishing Suit on Bond
Within 60 days from Completion of Project

KANSAS DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 3 months from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing(Watch terms on Bond) Foreclosure
Within 1 year from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 6 months from Completion of Project

KENTUCKY LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Notice of Contract

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public)
Protects from subsequent mortgages or conveyances

Notice of Intent to File a Lien

Residential Projects - Owner Occupied Single Or Double Family Dwelling within 75 days of Last furnishing

Other Private Projects Projects under $1,000.00 within 75 days of last furnishing Projects over $1,000.00 within 120 days of last furnishingLiens
Within 6 months from last furnishing, recommended 120 days from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 12 months from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 6 months from date Claim is filed

LOUISIANA DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 30 days after filing an Acceptance by Owner or Within 60 days from Completion of Project if no Notice of Contract was filed Bond Claim
Within 45 days from Completion of Project Foreclosure
Within 1 year from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 6 months from date Claim was filed

MAINE LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 120 days from last furnishing Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

MARYLAND DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Intent to Lien within 90-120 days from last furnishing
Lien to be served 180 days from last furnishing by filing suit Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 180 days from last furnishing Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

MASSACHUSETTS LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Within 30 days from first furnishing Notice of ID(Commercial)
Within 30 days from first furnishing Notice of ID(Residential)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Notice of Contract within 60 days of Notice of Completion
Statement of Account within 90 days of Notice of Completion Bond Claim
Within 65 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 90 days from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

MICHIGAN LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Within 20 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 20 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 1 year from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from Completion of Project

MINNESOTA LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Within 45 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 45 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 120 days from last furnishing
Lien notice must be served 10 days prior to actual Lien Bond Claim
Within 120days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 1 year from last furnishing Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

MISSISSIPPI LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing
Stop Notice for supplier/subcontractor direct to GC Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 12 months from date debt became due Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from Completion of Project

MISSOURI DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Lien
Within 6 months from last furnishing
Lien notice must be served 10 days prior to actual Lien Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 6 months from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 90 days from Completion of Project

MONTANA DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Within 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 20 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 60 days from first furnishing (Public)Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing or 60 days from Notice of CompletionBond Claim
Within 90 days from Acceptance of JobForeclosure
Within 2 years from date Lien was filedSuit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

NEBRASKA LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Lien
Within 120 days from last furnishing Bond Claim
Within 90-4 months days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 2 years from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from final settlement Principal Contract

NEVADA DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Within 31 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 31 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing or 40 days from Notice of Completion Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 6 months from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

NEW HAMPSHIRE DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Before first furnishing Provide a Notice of Account every 30 days (Commercial)
Before first furnishing Provide a Notice of Account every 30 days(Residential)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 120 days from last furnishing by filing lawsuit Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 120 days from last furnishing Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from date of Claim

NEW JERSEY LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing
Notice of Unpaid Balance must be served 10 days prior to actual Lien Bond Claim
Within 60 days from Completion of Project is recorded
90 days from last furnishing
Lien on Funds may be available Foreclosure
Within 1 year from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

NEW MEXICO DIRECT LIEN STATE

Preliminary Notice

Within 60 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Within 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Within 60 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 60 days from Completion of Project Bond Claim
Within 90 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 2 years from date Lien was filed Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from Completion of Project

NEW YORK LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Public) Liens
Within 90 days from last furnishing, Up to 8 months if you know payment has not been made
Public Improvement Lien within 30 days of Completion Bond Claim
Within 90-120 days from last furnishing Foreclosure
Within 1 year from last furnishing
Within 6 months of PI Lien Suit on Bond
Within 1 year from last furnishing

NORTH CAROLINA LIMITED TO UNPAID PORTION OF THE GENERAL CONTRACT

Preliminary Notice

Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Commercial)
Required if Notice of Contract is filed by General Contractor (Full Lien Rights)
Not required but recommended 30 days from first furnishing (Residential)
Required if Notice of Contract is filed by General Contractor (Full Lien Rights)