What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, a contractor who contracted with the owner must record a notice of intent in the land records during construction or within 90 days after the earlier of the project’s completion or termination, and mail the owner a copy by certified mail within 5 business days after recording it. The lien terminates if the notice of intent is not recorded in time. To enforce it, the contractor must file suit within 180 days after the notice of intent is recorded and record a notice of pendency of action within 10 days of filing suit, or the lien terminates. If the work was done under a home improvement contract, a copy of that contract must be attached to the notice of intent. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is D.C. Code §§ 40-301.01, 40-301.02, 40-303.13.
| What | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file the lien | 90 days after completion or termination |
| Who this deadline is for | A contractor hired directly by the owner |
Source
D.C. Code §§ 40-301.01, 40-301.02, 40-303.13
Read the statute in the Code of the District of Columbia (DC Council): code.dccouncil.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps every job’s dates, its estimate, its invoices and its payments in one record, so the date work was last performed and the amount still owed are on file when a lien deadline is counted.
Guides on this rule
- Mechanic’s Lien Deadlines by State: When to File — Mechanic’s lien filing deadlines in all 50 states and DC, when each clock starts, and the notice a statute requires before filing.
Compare this rule in every state
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