California · Civil Code §§8412–8460California mechanics lien deadlines: 90 days, a notice of completion that shortens it, and 90 days to sue

A California direct contractor may enforce a lien only if it records a claim of lien after completing its contract and before the earlier of 90 days after completion of the work of improvement or 60 days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation (Cal. Civ. Code §8412); other claimants record after they stop providing work and before the earlier of 90 days after completion or 30 days after a recorded notice (§8414). Completion means actual completion, occupation or use by the owner with labor stopped, 60 days of continuous cessation, or a recorded notice of cessation after 30 days (§8180). An owner may record a notice of completion within 15 days after completion (§8182) and must send a copy within 10 days to the direct contractor and claimants who gave preliminary notice, or it doesn't shorten their deadline – though owner-occupants of up to four units are exempt from that duty (§8190). Most claimants other than laborers and those contracting directly with the owner must give a preliminary notice, within 20 days after first furnishing work, to preserve lien rights for that work (§§8200, 8204). The claimant must sue to enforce the lien within 90 days after recording it, or the lien expires, unless a recorded credit extension applies (§8460). An owner disputing a lien can release the property by recording a bond for 125% of the claim (§8424).