If no Notice of Completion or Cessation is given on a job, how many days does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien after completion of work?

• A. 60 days
• B. 30 days
• C. 90 days
• D. 120 days

Answer: (C)

In California, how long you have to file a mechanics lien depends on whether a Notice of Completion or a Notice of Cessation has been recorded. If no such notice is given, the lien must be filed within 90 days after the work is completed (or after the labor ceased on the project). This 90‑day window is the default period to protect lien rights when there’s no notice shortening the time.

If a Notice of Completion had been recorded, the window would be shortened to 60 days from that notice (and similarly 60 days from a Notice of Cessation).