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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Idaho

In Idaho, a lien claim must be filed within 90 days after completing labor or furnishing materials, residential jobs need a contractor disclosure, and suit must be filed within 6 months after the claim is filed.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Idaho at a glance

Deadline to record lien
90 days
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (residential disclosure)
For work covered by Idaho Code 45-525 (residential), the lien claim must include proof of the required disclosure and its receipt.
Deadline to enforce lien
6 months after filing the claim
Can run from a later payment or credit extension if endorsed on the lien record.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Idaho

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

Deadline to record lien in Idaho: 90 days.

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

Yes in some cases (residential disclosure). Preliminary notice required in Idaho: yes in some cases (residential disclosure). For work covered by Idaho Code 45-525 (residential), the lien claim must include proof of the required disclosure and its receipt.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Idaho: 6 months after filing the claim. Can run from a later payment or credit extension if endorsed on the lien record.

Where do the Idaho mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Idaho Code 45-507, Idaho Code 45-510 and Idaho Code 45-525. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

A copy of the lien claim must be served on the owner within 5 business days after filing (Idaho Code 45-507(5)).

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.