Answers to the most common questions about California construction law.
Missing a construction law deadline in California can permanently forfeit your rights. This table summarizes the most critical deadlines — but every case has unique facts that can affect the applicable period. Always confirm your specific deadline with qualified counsel.
| Deadline / Action | Time Limit | Trigger Event | Authority | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preliminary 20-Day Notice | 20 days | First furnishing labor or materials | Civil Code §§ 8100–8118 | Subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals (not direct contractors) |
Mechanics Lien — Record (no NOC) | 90 days | Completion of work / project | Civil Code § 8412 | All lien claimants |
Mechanics Lien — Record (after NOC) | 60 days | Recording of Notice of Completion or Cessation | Civil Code § 8414 | All lien claimants |
Mechanics Lien Foreclosure Lawsuit | 90 days | Recording of the mechanics lien | Civil Code § 8460 | Lien claimant |
Stop Payment Notice (Private Works) | Same as lien deadline | Unpaid after completion / NOC | Civil Code §§ 8500–8560 | Subcontractors, suppliers (requires valid prelim notice) |
Stop Payment Notice (Public Works) | 30 days after NOC | Recording of Notice of Completion | Civil Code §§ 9350–9364 | Subcontractors, suppliers on public projects |
Payment Bond Claim (Public Works) | 30 days after NOC | Recording of Notice of Completion | Civil Code § 9558; Pub. Contract Code § 9202 | Subcontractors, suppliers on public projects |
Breach of Written Contract | 4 years | Date of breach | CCP § 337 | Any party to a written construction contract |
Breach of Oral Contract | 2 years | Date of breach | CCP § 339 | Any party to an oral construction contract |
Construction Defect (Patent / Obvious) | 4 years | Discovery of defect | CCP § 337.1 | Property owner against contractor/designer |
Construction Defect (Latent / Hidden) | 3 years from discovery; 10-year repose | Discovery; or substantial completion (repose) | CCP §§ 337.15, 338 | Property owner against contractor/designer |
SB 800 Right-to-Repair Notice (Residential) | Before filing lawsuit | Discovery of residential construction defect | Civil Code §§ 895–945.5 | Homeowner against builder of new residential construction |
Professional Negligence (Architect/Engineer) | 3 years from discovery; 10-year repose | Discovery of negligence / substantial completion | CCP § 338; Bus. & Prof. Code § 5536.1 | Owner or contractor against design professional |
Prompt Payment Penalty (Private) | 2% per month on late payments | Payment overdue (30 days owner→GC; 7 days GC→sub) | Civil Code §§ 8800–8802 | GC against owner; subcontractor against GC |
CSLB Complaint Filing | 4 years from act / discovery | Contractor violation or abandonment | Bus. & Prof. Code § 7091 | Owner, subcontractor against licensed contractor |
Contractor License Bond Claim | 2 years | Date of contractor's act causing damage | Bus. & Prof. Code § 7071.5 | Owner or subcontractor against contractor's bond |
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