California lien deadlines for material suppliers
California starts with the 20-day preliminary notice. Send it late and the lien only covers what you furnished in the 20 days before the notice and after.
California Civil Code, Division 4, Part 6. Last checked November 10, 2026.
The deadlines
- 01Give the preliminary noticeNot later than 20 days after you first furnish materials.To the owner, the direct contractor and the construction lender, if any. A late notice is allowed, but the lien then covers only work furnished within 20 days before the notice and after.Civ. Code §§ 8200, 8204
- 02Record the claim of lienAfter you stop furnishing, and before the earlier of 90 days after the work of improvement is completed, or 30 days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation.This is the window for claimants other than the direct contractor.Civ. Code § 8414
- 03Start an action to enforce the lienWithin 90 days after the claim of lien is recorded.Otherwise the claim of lien expires and is unenforceable.Civ. Code § 8460
Worth knowing
- The preliminary notice is a condition of a valid lien claim (§ 8200).
- A notice of completion recorded by the owner shortens your recording window to 30 days, so watch the county records near the end of a job.
General information, not legal advice. Lien law is strict, it changes, and the details depend on your contract and project. Check the statute linked on each step, and talk to a construction attorney before you rely on a deadline. Last checked November 10, 2026. Source: California Civil Code §§ 8200, 8204, 8414 and 8460, read from the california.public.law copy of the official code (verified there November 9, 2026).
Before the lien
Most of the risk is decided when the account opens: who signed, whether there is a personal guarantee, and what the trade references said. Valtis Desk collects all of it from a link, emails the references for you, and keeps a signed audit file for every account.