Washington, D.C. · D.C. Code §§40-301.02, 40-303.13D.C. mechanic's lien deadlines: the 90-day notice of intent and the 180-day suit

In the District of Columbia, a contractor that wants to enforce a mechanic's lien records a notice of intent in the land records during construction or within 90 days after the earlier of completion or termination of the project; if it doesn't, the lien terminates when the 90 days run out, and a notice missing the required contents is void (D.C. Code §40-301.02(a)(1)). The contractor sends a copy to the owner by certified mail within five business days after recording, or posts it on the property if the mail comes back (§40-301.02(a)(2)). A subcontractor's or supplier's lien is limited to the amount still due to the original contractor, and if the owner in good faith paid the original contractor in full, they have no lien – unless they notified the owner in writing of amounts due while the owner still owed the contractor at least that much (§40-303.02). A lien is enforced only by filing suit within 180 days after the notice of intent is recorded and recording a notice of pendency of action within 10 days of filing; otherwise the lien terminates (§40-303.13).