California stop notice attorneys helping eligible claimants protect payment rights on public and private construction projects.
A stop notice is one of California's most powerful — and least understood — construction payment remedies. It stops the flow of money on a construction project, forcing the owner or lender to withhold funds from the general contractor until your claim is resolved. But it comes with strict deadlines and procedural requirements.
Stop notices are used by subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers who are not getting paid on a construction project. Unlike a mechanics lien (which attaches to the property), a stop notice attaches to the construction funds held by the owner or lender.
California stop notice law is governed by Civil Code §8500 et seq. (private works) and Public Contract Code §9350 et seq. (public works). A stop notice must be served within the same timeframe as a mechanics lien. On public works, a stop notice can be bonded off by the contractor.
A material supplier delivered $420K of materials to a commercial project. The general contractor refused to pay, claiming the materials were defective (they weren't). We served a stop notice on both the owner and the construction lender, halting $420K in draws. The general contractor settled within 30 days to restore the project's financing.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
| Feature | Mechanics Lien | Stop Notice | Bond Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it attaches to | The real property (land & improvements) | Construction funds held by owner or lender | The surety bond (not the property) |
| Available on public works? | No — government property cannot be liened | Yes — especially powerful on public works | Yes — required by law on public works over $25K |
| Preliminary notice required? | Yes — within 20 days of first furnishing | Yes — same as mechanics lien | Yes — within 20 days of first furnishing |
| Deadline to file/serve | 90 days after completion (60 days after NOC) | Same as mechanics lien deadline | 30 days after NOC (90 days if no NOC) |
| Enforcement deadline | 90 days after recording lien | 90 days after serving stop notice | 6 months after last furnishing |
| Effect on project | Clouds title; blocks sale/refinancing | Freezes construction funds immediately | Surety must respond; may halt GC payments |
| Best used when | Property has equity; owner is solvent | Funds are still held by owner/lender | GC is insolvent or on public works |
These remedies are not mutually exclusive — GLG typically pursues all available remedies simultaneously to maximize leverage.
Enter your project type and key dates — get your preliminary notice, lien recording, and foreclosure deadlines instantly.
Once the owner releases construction funds, a stop notice loses its leverage. Call us before that happens.
Start Your Case Review (949) 666-8797Start with GLG’s intake team. We will review your information and coordinate the appropriate next step.