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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Arizona

In Arizona, a notice and claim of lien must be recorded within 120 days after completion (60 days after a recorded notice of completion), a preliminary 20-day notice is required, and suit must be brought within 6 months after recording.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Arizona at a glance

Deadline to record lien
120 days after completion
60 days after recording if the owner records a notice of completion.
Preliminary notice required
Yes (preliminary 20-day notice)
Required of everyone except wage laborers, served within 20 days after first furnishing; a late notice covers only work from 20 days before it was served.
Deadline to enforce lien
6 months after recording
A notice of pendency of action (lis pendens) must also be recorded.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Arizona

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in Arizona?

Deadline to record lien in Arizona: 120 days after completion. 60 days after recording if the owner records a notice of completion.

Is a preliminary notice required before filing a mechanics lien in Arizona?

Yes (preliminary 20-day notice). Preliminary notice required in Arizona: yes (preliminary 20-day notice). Required of everyone except wage laborers, served within 20 days after first furnishing; a late notice covers only work from 20 days before it was served.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in Arizona?

Deadline to enforce lien in Arizona: 6 months after recording. A notice of pendency of action (lis pendens) must also be recorded.

Where do the Arizona mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Ariz. Rev. Stat. 33-993, Ariz. Rev. Stat. 33-992.01 and Ariz. Rev. Stat. 33-998. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines often differ by role. The period for a general contractor who dealt directly with the owner can be different from the period for a subcontractor or supplier, and residential projects can have their own rules. Check which category fits before relying on a single number.

The event that starts the clock matters as much as the length of the period. Depending on the statute, it can be the last day labor or materials were furnished, completion of the project, or the recording of a notice of completion or commencement by the owner. Keeping dated records of the last work performed helps establish the start date.

Recording a lien is not the end of the process. If the debt is not paid, the claimant generally has to file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within the enforcement period, or the lien expires. When the debt is paid, the owner will usually want a signed lien release recorded so the title is clear.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.