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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in the District of Columbia

In the District of Columbia, a notice of intent must be recorded during construction or within 90 days after completion or termination of the project, and suit must be filed within 180 days after recording.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

District of Columbia at a glance

Deadline to record lien
90 days after completion or termination
Counted from the earlier of completion or termination; a copy goes to the owner within 5 business days.
Preliminary notice required
No
The lien sections do not require a notice at the start of work; a subcontractor's written notice of amounts due can protect it if the owner pays the prime contractor in full.
Deadline to enforce lien
180 days after recording the notice of intent
A notice of pendency of action must be recorded within 10 days of filing suit.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in the District of Columbia

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in the District of Columbia?

Deadline to record lien in the District of Columbia: 90 days after completion or termination. Counted from the earlier of completion or termination; a copy goes to the owner within 5 business days.

Is a preliminary notice required before filing a mechanics lien in the District of Columbia?

No. Preliminary notice required in the District of Columbia: no. The lien sections do not require a notice at the start of work; a subcontractor's written notice of amounts due can protect it if the owner pays the prime contractor in full.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in the District of Columbia?

Deadline to enforce lien in the District of Columbia: 180 days after recording the notice of intent. A notice of pendency of action must be recorded within 10 days of filing suit.

Where do the the District of Columbia mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from D.C. Code 40-301.02, D.C. Code 40-303.01, D.C. Code 40-303.02 and D.C. Code 40-303.13. 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.