Cal. Civ. Code § 8200 et seq.
California's 20-Day Preliminary Notice is the single most important deadline in California construction lien law. Miss it and you lose lien rights for everything you furnished more than 20 days before you finally send it. The notice has to go to the owner, the direct contractor, and the construction lender.
Every subcontractor, material supplier, and equipment lessor who furnishes labor, materials, or equipment to a private California construction project must serve the Preliminary Notice. Direct contractors (those in a contract directly with the owner) generally do not.
Within 20 days of first furnishing labor, services, equipment, or materials to the project. Late notices only protect work done in the 20 days before service.
Personal delivery, first-class certified or registered mail with proof of service, or another method authorized by Cal. Civ. Code § 8110.
Required for nearly every party that did not contract directly with the property owner — subcontractors, suppliers, equipment rental companies, and lower-tier contractors.
Read § 8200 on the official statute site
Anyone who did not contract directly with the property owner — subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment rental companies, and lower-tier contractors. Direct contractors only need to serve preliminary notice on the lender (if any).
Late service is not fatal — but it dramatically limits your lien rights. You can only claim lien for work or materials furnished in the 20 days before service, and for work going forward. Everything older is forfeit.
No. Unlike a Notice of Commencement in other states, the California Preliminary Notice is served on the owner, GC, and lender — not recorded with the county.
This page is general information about California's 20-Day Preliminary Notice (Cal. Civ. Code § 8200 et seq.) and is not legal advice. Deadlines and service rules change — verify current requirements with a licensed California construction attorney before relying on them.