Skip to content
Oakclause

Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Oregon

In Oregon, a construction lien must be perfected within 75 days after the claimant stops work or after completion of construction (whichever is earlier), most claimants not hired by the owner must first give a notice of right to a lien, and a suit to foreclose must be filed within 120 days after the claim is filed.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Oregon at a glance

Deadline to record lien
75 days
75 days after the claimant ceased furnishing or 75 days after completion of construction, whichever is earlier.
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (not hired by the owner)
A notice of right to a lien is required from those who did not furnish at the owner's request; it only protects work from 8 business days before delivery.
Deadline to enforce lien
120 days after filing the claim of lien
If extended credit is stated in the claim, 120 days after it expires, but never more than 2 years after filing.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Oregon

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

Deadline to record lien in Oregon: 75 days. 75 days after the claimant ceased furnishing or 75 days after completion of construction, whichever is earlier.

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

Yes in some cases (not hired by the owner). Preliminary notice required in Oregon: yes in some cases (not hired by the owner). A notice of right to a lien is required from those who did not furnish at the owner's request; it only protects work from 8 business days before delivery.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Oregon: 120 days after filing the claim of lien. If extended credit is stated in the claim, 120 days after it expires, but never more than 2 years after filing.

Where do the Oregon mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Or. Rev. Stat. 87.035, Or. Rev. Stat. 87.021 and Or. Rev. Stat. 87.055. 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.