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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Ohio

In Ohio, a mechanics lien affidavit must be recorded within 75 days after last furnishing (60 days for one or two family homes and residential condo units), subcontractors and suppliers must serve a notice of furnishing within 21 days of first furnishing when a notice of commencement has been recorded, and the lien lasts 6 years after filing unless suit is brought (or 60 days after an owner's notice to commence suit).

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Ohio at a glance

Deadline to record lien
75 days (60 days for 1 to 2 family homes)
Counted from the last day labor or work was performed or material furnished. Liens under ORC 1311.021 (oil and gas wells) get 120 days.
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (if notice of commencement recorded)
Subcontractors and suppliers serve a notice of furnishing within 21 days after first furnishing. Original contractors do not have to.
Deadline to enforce lien
6 years after filing (60 days after notice to sue)
If an owner or other interested party serves a notice to commence suit, the lien is void unless suit is filed within 60 days after service.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Ohio

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

Deadline to record lien in Ohio: 75 days (60 days for 1 to 2 family homes). Counted from the last day labor or work was performed or material furnished. Liens under ORC 1311.021 (oil and gas wells) get 120 days.

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

Yes in some cases (if notice of commencement recorded). Preliminary notice required in Ohio: yes in some cases (if notice of commencement recorded). Subcontractors and suppliers serve a notice of furnishing within 21 days after first furnishing. Original contractors do not have to.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Ohio: 6 years after filing (60 days after notice to sue). If an owner or other interested party serves a notice to commence suit, the lien is void unless suit is filed within 60 days after service.

Where do the Ohio mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Ohio Rev. Code 1311.06, Ohio Rev. Code 1311.05, Ohio Rev. Code 1311.13 and Ohio Rev. Code 1311.11. 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.