Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Washington

In Washington, a lien claim must be recorded within 90 days after the claimant stops furnishing labor, services, materials or equipment, suppliers of materials, equipment or professional services generally must give the owner a notice of right to claim a lien, and a foreclosure action must be filed within 8 calendar months after recording.

Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Deadline to record lien: 90 days; 90 days after the claimant ceased to furnish labor, professional services, materials or equipment.
Preliminary notice required: Yes in some cases (most suppliers, with exceptions); Persons furnishing professional services, materials or equipment must give a notice of right to claim a lien; it protects only items supplied from 60 days before the notice (10 days for new single-family homes). RCW 60.04.031 lists exceptions.
Deadline to enforce lien: 8 months after recording; The action must be filed in superior court within 8 calendar months and served on the owner within 90 days of filing.

Sources

Last checked October 2026

The rules in Washington

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

Deadline to record lien in Washington: 90 days. 90 days after the claimant ceased to furnish labor, professional services, materials or equipment.

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

Yes in some cases (most suppliers, with exceptions). Preliminary notice required in Washington: yes in some cases (most suppliers, with exceptions). Persons furnishing professional services, materials or equipment must give a notice of right to claim a lien; it protects only items supplied from 60 days before the notice (10 days for new single-family homes). RCW 60.04.031 lists exceptions.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Washington: 8 months after recording. The action must be filed in superior court within 8 calendar months and served on the owner within 90 days of filing.

Where do the Washington mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Rev. Code Wash. 60.04.091, Rev. Code Wash. 60.04.031 and Rev. Code Wash. 60.04.141. 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.

Compare with neighboring states

Compare all states