Mechanics Lien Deadlines by State -- A Quick Reference

Texas

Texas has some of the most detailed and strictly enforced lien requirements in the country. The preliminary notice rules depend on your project type and role. For residential projects, subcontractors and suppliers must send a preliminary notice to the property owner by the 15th day of the second month after the unpaid work was performed. For commercial projects, the notice deadline is the 15th day of the third month.

The lien filing deadline for all claimants on residential projects is the 15th day of the fourth month after the month in which the unpaid work was performed. For commercial projects, it is the 15th day of the fourth month. The lien enforcement deadline is one year from the last day you could have filed the lien, and two years for residential projects. Texas lien law is found in Texas Property Code Chapter 53. Given the complexity, many Texas contractors consult a construction attorney or use LevelSet to track deadlines.

Florida

Florida requires a preliminary notice called a Notice to Owner within 45 days of first performing work or delivering materials. If you miss this notice, you lose your lien rights entirely. The lien filing deadline is 90 days from the last date you provided labor, services, or materials. The lien enforcement deadline is one year from the date you filed the lien.

Florida's lien statute is Chapter 713 of the Florida Statutes. One important Florida-specific rule: if you file a lien, the property owner can serve you with a Notice of Contest of Lien, which shortens your enforcement deadline from one year to 60 days. Do not ignore any notices from the property owner or their attorney after filing.

California

California requires a preliminary 20-day notice within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials. This notice must be sent to the property owner, the general contractor, and the construction lender if applicable. The lien filing deadline is 90 days from completion of the project for subcontractors and suppliers, and 60 days for general contractors. The enforcement deadline is 90 days from the date the lien was filed.

California's mechanics lien law is in Civil Code Sections 8400 through 8494. California also has a 10-day release bond provision: the property owner can demand you release the lien by posting a bond, and you have 30 days to file a lawsuit or lose the lien. California is one of the more contractor-friendly states in terms of lien rights, but the short enforcement window means you must act quickly.

Georgia

Georgia requires subcontractors and suppliers to file a preliminary notice called a Notice of Commencement Filing within 30 days of the property owner filing a Notice of Commencement, or they lose lien priority. The lien filing deadline is 90 days from the last date of work for all claimants. The lien enforcement deadline is one year from the date the lien was filed, but 365 calendar days, not one year from the next business day.

Georgia's lien statute is in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Title 44, Chapter 14. Georgia requires that liens be filed in the county where the property is located. One Georgia-specific detail: the lien must include a specific legal description of the property, not just a street address.

North Carolina

North Carolina requires subcontractors to serve a Notice of Claim of Lien upon Funds on the general contractor within 120 days of the subcontractor's last date of work. This is not a lien on the property but a claim on the funds the owner owes the GC. The actual lien filing deadline is 120 days from the last date of work. The enforcement deadline is 180 days from the last date of furnishing labor or materials.

North Carolina's lien law is in Chapter 44A of the North Carolina General Statutes. The state distinguishes between liens on private projects and claims on public projects (payment bonds). Make sure you are following the correct process for your project type.

Arizona

Arizona requires a preliminary 20-day notice within 20 days of first furnishing labor, materials, or professional services. The lien filing deadline is 120 days from completion of the project. The enforcement deadline is six months from the date the lien was filed. Arizona also requires the claimant to send a copy of the filed lien to the property owner within a reasonable time.

Arizona's lien statute is in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 33, Chapter 7. Arizona counts the 120-day filing deadline from project completion, not your last date of work, which can give you more time if the overall project continues after your work is done.

Tennessee

Tennessee requires a preliminary notice for residential projects only. Contractors on residential projects must serve a Notice of Nonpayment on the property owner at least 90 days before filing a lien. The lien filing deadline is 90 days from the last date of work. The enforcement deadline is one year from the date the lien was filed.

Tennessee's lien law is in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66, Chapter 11. Tennessee differentiates between prime contractors and remote contractors (subcontractors and suppliers), with different notice requirements for each.

Ohio

Ohio requires subcontractors and suppliers to serve a Notice of Furnishing on the property owner within 21 days of first furnishing labor or materials. Without this notice, you cannot claim a lien for work done more than 21 days before the notice was served. The lien filing deadline is 60 days from the last date of work for residential projects and 75 days for commercial projects. The enforcement deadline is six years from the date the lien was filed.

Ohio's lien statute is in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1311. Ohio's six-year enforcement period is one of the longest in the country, giving you significant time to pursue enforcement. However, the short filing deadline (60 to 75 days) means you must act quickly to preserve your rights.

Michigan

Michigan requires general contractors to provide a Notice of Commencement before starting work and post it conspicuously on the job site. Subcontractors must provide a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials. The lien filing deadline is 90 days from the last date of furnishing labor or materials. The enforcement deadline is one year from the date the lien was filed.

Michigan's Construction Lien Act is in Michigan Compiled Laws Chapter 570. Michigan has a unique provision that allows property owners to demand a sworn statement from contractors detailing all subcontractors and suppliers. Failure to provide this sworn statement can affect your lien rights.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires subcontractors to serve a Notice of Furnishing on the property owner within 45 days of first performing work. The lien filing deadline is six months from the last date of work. The enforcement deadline is two years from the date the lien was filed. Pennsylvania distinguishes between residential and commercial projects, with additional requirements for residential work.

Pennsylvania's Mechanics Lien Law is in Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 49. Pennsylvania is relatively contractor-friendly with its six-month filing window and two-year enforcement period. However, the formal claim must be filed with the county Prothonotary's office and include specific information about the contract and work performed.

Illinois

Illinois requires subcontractors to serve a Notice of Lien on the property owner, the general contractor, and the construction lender within 90 days of their last date of work. This notice is a prerequisite for lien filing. The lien filing deadline is four months from the last date of work (or completion, whichever is later). The enforcement deadline is two years from the date the lien was filed.

Illinois' Mechanics Lien Act is in Illinois Compiled Statutes, 770 ILCS 60. Illinois has a unique subcontractor notice requirement that functions differently from most states' preliminary notice systems. Missing the 90-day notice deadline is a common and costly mistake for Illinois subcontractors.

New York

New York does not require a preliminary notice for private projects, which simplifies the process somewhat. The lien filing deadline is eight months from the last date of work for most projects, though this can vary for home improvement contracts. The enforcement deadline is one year from the date the lien was filed. New York requires the lien claimant to serve a copy of the filed lien on the property owner within 30 days of filing.

New York's Lien Law is in New York Consolidated Laws, Lien Law Article 2. New York has construction trust fund provisions (Article 3-A) that make it a criminal offense for a general contractor to divert funds intended for subcontractors. This is an additional collection tool beyond the mechanics lien.

New Jersey

New Jersey requires all lien claimants other than the general contractor to file a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien within 60 days of the last date of work. This notice must be served on the property owner via certified mail or personal service. The lien filing deadline is 90 days from the last date of work. The enforcement deadline is one year from the date the lien was filed.

New Jersey's Construction Lien Law is in New Jersey Statutes Annotated, Title 2A, Chapter 44A. New Jersey makes a distinction between residential and commercial projects. For residential projects with an owner-occupied dwelling of three units or fewer, the owner must file a Notice of Unpaid Balance form before a lien can be filed.

Virginia

Virginia requires a preliminary notice called a Notice of Mechanic's Lien to be recorded in the county where the property is located within 90 days of the last date of work. Note that Virginia calls the actual lien filing a 'memorandum of lien,' which must be filed within 90 days of the last date you performed work or furnished materials. The enforcement deadline is six months from the date the lien was filed, or 60 days after completion of the project, whichever is later.

Virginia's mechanics lien statute is in Code of Virginia, Title 43. Virginia's terminology can be confusing because the preliminary notice and the actual lien filing use similar names. Make sure you understand which document you are preparing.

Colorado

Colorado requires all claimants except general contractors to serve a Notice of Intent to File a Lien on the property owner at least 10 days before filing. This notice is mandatory and must be sent via certified mail. The lien filing deadline is four months from the last date of work. The enforcement deadline is six months from the date the lien was filed.

Colorado's mechanics lien statute is in Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 38, Article 22. Colorado's mandatory 10-day notice of intent requirement is one of the strictest in the country. Filing a lien without the required 10-day notice will invalidate the lien, even if you are owed the money.

Important notes about counting deadlines

The phrase 'last date of work' means different things in different states and situations. In most states, it refers to the last day you physically performed labor or delivered materials to the project site. It does not include warranty work, punch list callbacks, or administrative tasks like sending invoices.

Some states count from 'completion' of the project, which can mean substantial completion, final completion, or the date a certificate of occupancy was issued. If your state uses project completion as the trigger, pay close attention to the legal definition.

When counting days, some states count calendar days and some count business days. Some states exclude the trigger date (the day after your last work counts as day one) while others include it. Some states extend deadlines that fall on weekends or holidays, while others do not. When in doubt, file early rather than late.

These deadlines are based on current statutes as of early 2026 and are provided as a general reference. State legislatures amend lien laws periodically. Always verify current deadlines with your state's official statutes, your state contractor licensing board, or a construction attorney before relying on any deadline. Resources like LevelSet maintain updated state-by-state deadline information that can serve as a useful cross-reference.