Contractors – Construction Liens – California
California Code
CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE
Division 4. General Provisions
Part 6. Works of Improvement
Title 1. Works of Improvement Generally
Chapter 1. General Provisions
Article 1. Definitions
PART 6. WORKS OF IMPROVEMENT
TITLE 1. WORKS OF IMPROVEMENT GENERALLY
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Definitions
8000. Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the
definitions in this article govern the construction of this part.
8002. “Admitted surety insurer” has the meaning provided in Section
995.120 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
8004. “Claimant” means a person that has a right under this part to
record a claim of lien, give a stop payment notice, or assert a
claim against a payment bond, or do any combination of the foregoing.
8006. “Construction lender” means either of the following:
(a) A mortgagee or beneficiary under a deed of trust lending funds
with which the cost of all or part of a work of improvement is to be
paid, or the assignee or successor in interest of the mortgagee or
beneficiary.
(b) An escrow holder or other person holding funds provided by an
owner, lender, or another person as a fund for(from)with which the cost of
all or part of a work of improvement is to be paid.
8008. “Contract” means an agreement that provides for all or part
of a work of improvement.
8010. “Contract price” means the price agreed to in a direct
contract for a work of improvement.
8012. “Contractor” includes a direct contractor, subcontractor, or
both. This section does not apply to Sections 8018 and 8046.
8014. “Design professional” means a person licensed as an architect
pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5500) of Division 3
of the Business and Professions Code, licensed as a landscape
architect pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 5615) of
Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, registered as a
professional engineer pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section
6700) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, or licensed
as a land surveyor pursuant to Chapter 15 (commencing with Section
8700) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
8016. “Direct contract” means a contract between an owner and a
direct contractor that provides for all or part of a work of
improvement.
8018. “Direct contractor” means a contractor that has a direct
contractual relationship with an owner. A reference in another
statute to a “prime contractor” in connection with the provisions in
this part means a “direct contractor.”
8020. For the purposes of Title 3 (commencing with Section 9000),
“funds” means warrant, check, money, or bonds (if bonds are to be
issued in payment of the public works contract).
8022. “Labor, service, equipment, or material” includes, but is not
limited to, labor, skills, services, material, supplies, equipment,
appliances, power, and surveying, provided for a work of improvement.
8024. (a) “Laborer” means a person who, acting as an employee,
performs labor upon, or bestows skill or other necessary services on,
a work of improvement.
(b) “Laborer” includes a person or entity to which a portion of a
laborer’s compensation for a work of improvement, including, but not
limited to, employer payments described in Section 1773.1 of the
Labor Code and implementing regulations, is paid by agreement with
that laborer or the collective bargaining agent of that laborer.
(c) A person or entity described in subdivision (b) that has
standing under applicable law to maintain a direct legal action, in
its own name or as an assignee, to collect any portion of
compensation owed for a laborer for a work of improvement, shall have
standing to enforce any rights or claims of the laborer under this
part, to the extent of the compensation agreed to be paid to the
person or entity for labor on that improvement. This subdivision is
intended to give effect to the longstanding public policy of this
state to protect the entire compensation of a laborer on a work of
improvement, regardless of the form in which that compensation is to
be paid.
8026. “Lien” means a lien under Title 2 (commencing with Section
8160) and includes a lien of a design professional under Section
8302, a lien for a work of improvement under Section 8400, and a lien
for a site improvement under Section 8402.
8028. “Material supplier” means a person that provides material or
supplies to be used or consumed in a work of improvement.
8030. (a) For the purposes of Title 2 (commencing with Section
8160), “payment bond” means a bond given under Section 8600.
(b) For the purposes of Title 3 (commencing with Section 9000),
“payment bond” means a bond required by Section 9550.
8032. “Person” means an individual, corporation, public entity,
business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability
company, association, or other entity.
8034. (a) For the purposes of Title 2 (commencing with Section
8160), “preliminary notice” means the notice provided for in Chapter
2 (commencing with Section 8200) of Title 2.
(b) For the purposes of Title 3 (commencing with Section 9000),
“preliminary notice” means the notice provided for in Chapter 3
(commencing with Section 9300) of Title 3.
8036. “Public entity” means the state, Regents of the University of
California, a county, city, district, public authority, public
agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in
the state.
8038. “Public works contract” has the meaning provided in Section
1101 of the Public Contract Code.
8040. “Site” means the real property on which a work of improvement
is situated or planned.
8042. “Site improvement” means any of the following work on real
property:
(a) Demolition or removal of improvements, trees, or other
vegetation.
(b) Drilling test holes.
(c) Grading, filling, or otherwise improving the real property or
a street, highway, or sidewalk in front of or adjoining the real
property.
(d) Construction or installation of sewers or other public
utilities.
(e) Construction of areas, vaults, cellars, or rooms under
sidewalks.
(f) Any other work or improvements in preparation of the site for
a work of improvement.
8044. (a) (1) For the purposes of Title 2 (commencing with Section
8160), “stop payment notice” means the notice given by a claimant
under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 8500) of Title 2.
(2) A stop payment notice given under Title 2 (commencing with
Section 8160) may be bonded or unbonded. A “bonded stop payment
notice” is a notice given with a bond under Section 8532. An
“unbonded stop payment notice” is a notice not given with a bond
under Section 8532.
(3) Except to the extent Title 2 (commencing with Section 8160)
distinguishes between a bonded and an unbonded stop payment notice, a
reference in that title to a stop payment notice includes both a
bonded and an unbonded notice.
(b) For the purposes of Title 3 (commencing with Section 9000),
“stop payment notice” means the notice given by a claimant under
Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 9350) of Title 3.
(c) A reference in another statute to a “stop notice” in
connection with the remedies provided in this part means a stop
payment notice.
8046. “Subcontractor” means a contractor that does not have a
direct contractual relationship with an owner. The term includes a
contractor that has a contractual relationship with a direct
contractor or with another subcontractor.
8048. “Work” means labor, service, equipment, or material provided
to a work of improvement.
8050. (a) “Work of improvement” includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Construction, alteration, repair, demolition, or removal, in
whole or in part, of, or addition to, a building, wharf, bridge,
ditch, flume, aqueduct, well, tunnel, fence, machinery, railroad, or
road.
(2) Seeding, sodding, or planting of real property for landscaping
purposes.
(3) Filling, leveling, or grading of real property.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this part, “work of
improvement” means the entire structure or scheme of improvement as a
whole, and includes site improvement.
Article 2. Miscellaneous Provisions
8052. (a) This part is operative on July 1, 2012.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the effectiveness of a notice
given or other action taken on a work of improvement before July 1,
2012, is governed by the applicable law in effect before July 1,
2012, and not by this part.
(c) A provision of this part, insofar as it is substantially the
same as a previously existing provision relating to the same subject
matter, shall be construed as a restatement and continuation thereof
and not as a new enactment.
8054. (a) This part does not apply to a transaction governed by the
Oil and Gas Lien Act (Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 1203.50)
of Title 4 of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure).
(b) This part does not apply to or change improvement security
under the Subdivision Map Act (Division 2 (commencing with Section
66410) of Title 7 of the Government Code).
(c) This part does not apply to a transaction governed by Sections
20457 to 20464, inclusive, of the Public Contract Code.
8056. Except as otherwise provided in this part, Part 2 (commencing
with Section 307) of the Code of Civil Procedure provides the rules
of practice in proceedings under this part.
8058. For purposes of this part, “day” means a calendar day.
8060. (a) If this part provides for filing a contract, plan, or
other paper with the county recorder, the provision is satisfied by
filing the paper in the office of the county recorder of the county
in which the work of improvement or part of it is situated.
(b) If this part provides for recording a notice, claim of lien,
release of lien, payment bond, or other paper, the provision is
satisfied by filing the paper for record in the office of the county
recorder of the county in which the work of improvement or part of it
is situated.
(c) The county recorder shall number, index, and preserve a
contract, plan, or other paper presented for filing under this part,
and shall number, index, and transcribe into the official records, in
the same manner as a conveyance of real property, a notice, claim of
lien, payment bond, or other paper recorded under this part.
(d) The county recorder shall charge and collect the fees provided
in Article 5 (commencing with Section 27360) of Chapter 6 of Part 3
of Division 2 of Title 3 of the Government Code for performing duties
under this section.
8062. No act of an owner in good faith and in compliance with a
provision of this part shall be construed to prevent a direct
contractor’s performance of the contract, or exonerate a surety on a
performance or payment bond.
8064. An owner may give a notice or execute or file a document
under this part on behalf of a co-owner if the owner acts on the
co-owner’s behalf and includes in the notice or document the name and
address of the co-owner on whose behalf the owner acts.
8066. An act that may be done by or to a person under this part may
be done by or to the person’s agent to the extent the act is within
the scope of the agent’s authority.
CHAPTER 2. NOTICE
8100. Notice under this part shall be in writing. Writing includes
printing and typewriting.
8102. (a) Notice under this part shall, in addition to any other
information required by statute for that type of notice, include all
of the following information to the extent known to the person giving
the notice:
(1) The name and address of the owner or reputed owner.
(2) The name and address of the direct contractor.
(3) The name and address of the construction lender, if any.
(4) A description of the site sufficient for identification,
including the street address of the site, if any. If a sufficient
legal description of the site is given, the effectiveness of the
notice is not affected by the fact that the street address is
erroneous or is omitted.
(5) The name, address, and relationship to the parties of the
person giving the notice.
(6) If the person giving the notice is a claimant:
(A) A general statement of the work provided.
(B) The name of the person to or for whom the work is provided.
(C) A statement or estimate of the claimant’s demand, if any,
after deducting all just credits and offsets.
(b) Notice is not invalid by reason of any variance from the
requirements of this section if the notice is sufficient to
substantially inform the person given notice of the information
required by this section and other information required in the
notice.
8104. (a) A direct contractor or subcontractor on a work of
improvement governed by this part that employs a laborer and fails to
pay the full compensation due the laborer, including any employer
payments described in Section 1773.1 of the Labor Code and
implementing regulations, shall not later than the date the
compensation became delinquent, give the laborer, the laborer’s
bargaining representative, if any, the construction lender or reputed
construction lender, if any, and the owner or reputed owner, notice
that includes all of the following information, in addition to the
information required by Section 8102:
(1) The name and address of the laborer, and of any person or
entity described in subdivision (b) of Section 8024 to which employer
payments are due.
(2) The total number of straight time and overtime hours worked by
the laborer on each job.
(3) The amount then past due and owing.
(b) Failure to give the notice required by subdivision (a)
constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under the Contractors’
State License Law, Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of
Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
8106. Except as otherwise provided by statute, notice under this
part shall be given by any of the following means:
(a) Personal delivery.
(b) Mail in the manner provided in Section 8110.
(c) Leaving the notice and mailing a copy in the manner provided
in Section 415.20 of the Code of Civil Procedure for service of
summons and complaint in a civil action.
8108. Except as otherwise provided by this part, notice under this
part shall be given to the person to be notified at the person’s
residence, the person’s place of business, or at any of the following
addresses:
(a) If the person to be notified is an owner other than a public
entity, the owner’s address shown on the direct contract, the
building permit, or a construction trust deed.
(b) If the person to be notified is a public entity, the office of
the public entity or another address specified by the public entity
in the contract or elsewhere for service of notices, papers, and
other documents.
(c) If the person to be notified is a construction lender, the
construction lender’s address shown on the construction loan
agreement or construction trust deed.
(d) If the person to be notified is a direct contractor or a
subcontractor, the contractor’s address shown on the building permit,
on the contractor’s contract, or on the records of the Contractors’
State License Board.
(e) If the person to be notified is a claimant, the claimant’s
address shown on the claimant’s contract, preliminary notice, claim
of lien, stop payment notice, or claim against a payment bond, or on
the records of the Contractors’ State License Board.
(f) If the person to be notified is a surety on a bond, the surety’
s address shown on the bond for service of notices, papers, and other
documents, or on the records of the Department of Insurance.
8110. Except as otherwise provided by this part, notice by mail
under this part shall be given by registered or certified mail,
express mail, or overnight delivery by an express service carrier.
8114. A notice required by this part to be posted shall be
displayed in a conspicuous location at the site.
8116. Notice under this part is complete and deemed to have been
given at the following times:
(a) If given by personal delivery, when delivered.
(b) If given by mail, when deposited in the mail or with an
express service carrier in the manner provided in Section 1013 of the
Code of Civil Procedure.
(c) If given by leaving the notice and mailing a copy in the
manner provided in Section 415.20 of the Code of Civil Procedure for
service of summons in a civil action, five days after mailing.
(d) If given by posting, when displayed.
(e) If given by recording, when recorded in the office of the
county recorder.
8118. (a) Proof that notice was given to a person in the manner
required by this part shall be made by a proof of notice declaration
that states all of the following:
(1) The type or description of the notice given.
(2) The date, place, and manner of notice, and facts showing that
notice was given in the manner required by statute.
(3) The name and address of the person to which notice was given,
and, if appropriate, the title or capacity in which the person was
given notice.
(b) If the notice is given by mail, the declaration shall be
accompanied by one of the following:
(1) Documentation provided by the United States Postal Service
showing that payment was made to mail the notice using registered or
certified mail, or express mail.
(2) Documentation provided by an express service carrier showing
that payment was made to send the notice using an overnight delivery
service.
(3) A return receipt, delivery confirmation, signature
confirmation, tracking record, or other proof of delivery or
attempted delivery provided by the United States Postal Service, or a
photocopy of the record of delivery and receipt maintained by the
United States Postal Service, showing the date of delivery and to
whom delivered, or in the event of nondelivery, by the returned
envelope itself.
(4) A tracking record or other documentation provided by an
express service carrier showing delivery or attempted delivery of the
notice.
CHAPTER 3. WAIVER AND RELEASE
8120. The provisions of this chapter apply to a work of improvement
governed by this part.
8122. An owner, direct contractor, or subcontractor may not, by
contract or otherwise, waive, affect, or impair any other claimant’s
rights under this part, whether with or without notice, and any term
of a contract that purports to do so is void and unenforceable unless
and until the claimant executes and delivers a waiver and release
under this article.
8124. A claimant’s waiver and release does not release the owner,
construction lender, or surety on a payment bond from a lien or claim
unless both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) The waiver and release is in substantially the form provided
in this article and is signed by the claimant.
(b) If the release is a conditional release, there is evidence of
payment to the claimant. Evidence of payment may be either of the
following:
(1) The claimant’s endorsement on a single or joint payee check
that has been paid by the financial institution on which it was
drawn.
(2) Written acknowledgment of payment by the claimant.
8126. An oral or written statement purporting to waive, release,
impair or otherwise adversely affect a lien or claim is void and
unenforceable and does not create an estoppel or impairment of the
lien or claim unless either of the following conditions is satisfied:
(a) The statement is pursuant to a waiver and release under this
article.
(b) The claimant has actually received payment in full for the
claim.
8128. (a) A claimant may reduce the amount of, or release in its
entirety, a stop payment notice. The reduction or release shall be in
writing and may be given in a form other than a waiver and release
form provided in this article.
(b) The writing shall identify whether it is a reduction of the
amount of the stop payment notice, or a release of the notice in its
entirety. If the writing is a reduction, it shall state the amount of
the reduction, and the amount to remain withheld after the
reduction.
(c) A claimant’s reduction or release of a stop payment notice has
the following effect:
(1) The reduction or release releases the claimant’s right to
enforce payment of the claim stated in the notice to the extent of
the reduction or release.
(2) The reduction or release releases the person given the notice
from the obligation to withhold funds pursuant to the notice to the
extent of the reduction or release.
(3) The reduction or release does not preclude the claimant from
giving a subsequent stop payment notice that is timely and proper.
(4) The reduction or release does not release any right of the
claimant other than the right to enforce payment of the claim stated
in the stop payment notice to the extent of the reduction or release.
8130. This article does not affect the enforceability of either an
accord and satisfaction concerning a good faith dispute or an
agreement made in settlement of an action pending in court if the
accord and satisfaction or agreement and settlement make specific
reference to the lien or claim.
8132. If a claimant is required to execute a waiver and release in
exchange for, or in order to induce payment of, a progress payment
and the claimant is not, in fact, paid in exchange for the waiver and
release or a single payee check or joint payee check is given in
exchange for the waiver and release, the waiver and release shall be
null, void, and unenforceable unless it is in substantially the
following form:
CONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE ON PROGRESS
PAYMENT NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT WAIVES THE CLAIMANT’S LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND PAYMENT BOND RIGHTS EFFECTIVE ON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT. A PERSON SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS DOCUMENT UNLESS SATISFIED THAT THE CLAIMANT HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT.
Identifying Information
Name of Claimant:_______________________________
Name of Customer:_______________________________
Job Location:___________________________________
Owner:__________________________________________
Through Date:___________________________________
Conditional Waiver and Release
This document waives and releases lien, stop payment notice, and payment bond rights the claimant has for labor and service provided, and equipment and material delivered, to the customer on this job through the Through Date of this document. Rights based upon labor or service provided, or equipment or material delivered, pursuant to a written change order that has been fully executed by the parties prior to the date that this document is signed by the claimant, are waived and released by this document, unless listed as an Exception below. This document is effective only on the claimant’s receipt of payment from the financial institution on which the following check is drawn:
Maker of Check:_________________________________
Amount of Check: $______________________________
Check Payable to:_______________________________
Exceptions
This document does not affect any of the following:
(1) Retentions.
(2) Extras for which the claimant has not received payment.
(3) The following progress payments for which the claimant has previously given a conditional waiver and release but has not received payment:
Date(s) of waiver and release:__________________
Amount(s) of unpaid progress payment(s): $______
(4) Contract rights, including (A) a right based on rescission, abandonment, or breach of contract, and (B) the right to recover compensation for work not compensated by the payment.
Signature
Claimant’s Signature:___________________________
Claimant’s Title:_______________________________
Date of Signature:______________________________
8134. If the claimant is required to execute a waiver and release
in exchange for, or in order to induce payment of, a progress payment
and the claimant asserts in the waiver that the claimant has, in
fact, been paid the progress payment, the waiver and release shall be
null, void, and unenforceable unless it is in substantially the
following form, with the text of the “Notice to Claimant” in at least
as large a type as the largest type otherwise in the form:
UNCONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE ON PROGRESS
PAYMENT NOTICE TO CLAIMANT: THIS DOCUMENT WAIVES AND RELEASES LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND PAYMENT BOND RIGHTS UNCONDITIONALLY AND STATES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PAID FOR GIVING UP THOSE RIGHTS. THIS DOCUMENT IS ENFORCEABLE AGAINST YOU IF YOU SIGN IT, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAID. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAID, USE A CONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE FORM.
Identifying Information
Name of Claimant:_______________________________
Name of Customer:_______________________________
Job Location:___________________________________
Owner:__________________________________________
Through Date:___________________________________
Unconditional Waiver and Release
This document waives and releases lien, stop payment notice, and payment bond rights the claimant has for labor and service provided, and equipment and material delivered, to the customer on this job through the Through Date of this document. Rights based upon labor or service provided, or equipment or material delivered, pursuant to a written change order that has been fully executed by the parties prior to the date that this document is signed by the claimant, are waived and released by this document, unless listed as an Exception below. The claimant has received the following progress payment:
$_____________________________
Exceptions
This document does not affect any of the following:
(1) Retentions.
(2) Extras for which the claimant has not received payment.
(3) Contract rights, including (A) a right based on rescission, abandonment, or breach of contract, and (B) the right to recover compensation for work not compensated by the payment.
Signature
Claimant’s Signature:___________________________
Claimant’s Title:_______________________________
Date of Signature:______________________________
8136. If the claimant is required to execute a waiver and release
in exchange for, or in order to induce payment of, a final payment
and the claimant is not, in fact, paid in exchange for the waiver and
release or a single payee check or joint payee check is given in
exchange for the waiver and release, the waiver and release shall be
null, void, and unenforceable unless it is in substantially the
following form:
CONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE ON FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT WAIVES THE CLAIMANT’S LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND PAYMENT BOND RIGHTS EFFECTIVE ON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT. A PERSON SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS DOCUMENT UNLESS SATISFIED THAT THE CLAIMANT HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT.
Identifying Information
Name of Claimant:_______________________________
Name of Customer:_______________________________
Job Location:___________________________________
Owner:__________________________________________
Conditional Waiver and Release
This document waives and releases lien, stop payment notice, and payment bond rights the claimant has for labor and service provided, and equipment and material delivered, to the customer on this job. Rights based upon labor or service provided, or equipment or material delivered, pursuant to a written change order that has been fully executed by the parties prior to the date that this document is signed by the claimant, are waived and released by this document, unless listed as an Exception below. This document is effective only on the claimant’s receipt of payment from the financial institution on which the following check is drawn:
Maker of Check:_________________________________
Amount of Check: $______________________________
Check Payable to:_______________________________
Exceptions
This document does not affect any of the following:
Disputed claims for extras in the amount of: $ _______________________
Signature
Claimant’s Signature:___________________________
Claimant’s Title:_______________________________
Date of Signature:______________________________
8138. If the claimant is required to execute a waiver and release
in exchange for, or in order to induce payment of, a final payment
and the claimant asserts in the waiver that the claimant has, in
fact, been paid the final payment, the waiver and release shall be
null, void, and unenforceable unless it is in substantially the
following form, with the text of the “Notice to Claimant” in at least
as large a type as the largest type otherwise in the form:
UNCONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE ON FINAL
PAYMENT NOTICE TO CLAIMANT: THIS DOCUMENT WAIVES AND RELEASES LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND PAYMENT BOND RIGHTS UNCONDITIONALLY AND STATES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PAID FOR GIVING UP THOSE RIGHTS. THIS DOCUMENT IS ENFORCEABLE AGAINST YOU IF YOU SIGN IT, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAID. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAID, USE A CONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE FORM.
Identifying Information
Name of Claimant:_______________________________
Name of Customer:_______________________________
Job Location:___________________________________ Owner:__________________________________________
Unconditional Waiver and Release
This document waives and releases lien, stop payment notice, and payment bond rights the claimant has for all labor and service provided, and equipment and material delivered, to the customer on this job. Rights based upon labor or service provided, or equipment or material delivered, pursuant to a written change order that has been fully executed by the parties prior to the date that this document is signed by the claimant, are waived and released by this document, unless listed as an Exception below. The claimant has been paid in full.
Exceptions
This document does not affect the following:
Disputed claims for extras in the amount of: $ ________________
Signature Claimant’s Signature:___________________________
Claimant’s Title:_______________________________
Date of Signature:______________________________
CHAPTER 4. BONDS
8150. The Bond and Undertaking Law (Chapter 2 (commencing with
Section 995.010) of Title 14 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil
Procedure) applies to a bond given under this part, except to the
extent this part prescribes a different rule or is inconsistent.
8152. None of the following releases a surety from liability on a
bond given under this part:
(a) A change, alteration, or modification to a contract, plan,
specification, or agreement for a work of improvement or for work
provided for a work of improvement.
(b) A change or modification to the terms of payment or an
extension of the time for payment for a work of improvement.
(c) A rescission or attempted rescission of a contract, agreement,
or bond.
(d) A condition precedent or subsequent in the bond purporting to
limit the right of recovery of a claimant otherwise entitled to
recover pursuant to a contract, agreement, or bond.
(e) In the case of a bond given for the benefit of claimants, the
fraud of a person other than the claimant seeking to recover on the
bond.
8154. (a) A bond given under this part shall be construed most
strongly against the surety and in favor of all persons for whose
benefit the bond is given.
(b) A surety is not released from liability to those for whose
benefit the bond has been given by reason of a breach of the direct
contract or on the part of any obligee named in the bond.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by statute, the sole conditions
of recovery on the bond are that the claimant is a person described
in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8400) of Chapter 4 of Title 2,
or in Section 9100, and has not been paid the full amount of the
claim.
TITLE 2. PRIVATE WORKS OF IMPROVEMENT
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Application of Title
8160. This title applies to a work of improvement that is not
governed by Title 3 (commencing with Section 9000) of this part.
Article 2. Construction Documents
8170. (a) A written direct contract shall provide a space for the
owner to enter the following information:
(1) The owner’s name, address, and place of business, if any.
(2) The name and address of the construction lender, if any. This
paragraph does not apply to a home improvement contract or swimming
pool contract subject to Article 10 (commencing with Section 7150) of
Chapter 9 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b) A written contract entered into between a direct contractor
and subcontractor, or between subcontractors, shall provide a space
for the name and address of the owner, direct contractor, and
construction lender, if any.
8172. (a) A public entity that issues building permits shall, in
its application form for a building permit, provide space and a
designation for the applicant to enter the name, branch designation,
if any, and address of the construction lender and shall keep the
information on file open for public inspection during the regular
business hours of the public entity.
(b) If there is no known construction lender, the applicant shall
note that fact in the designated space.
(c) Failure of the applicant to indicate the name and address of
the construction lender on the application does not relieve a person
required to give the construction lender preliminary notice from that
duty.
8174. (a) A mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument securing a
loan, any of the proceeds of which may be used for a work of
improvement, shall bear the designation “Construction Trust Deed”
prominently on its face and shall state all of the following:
(1) The name and address of the construction lender.
(2) The name and address of the owner of the real property
described in the instrument.
(3) A legal description of the real property that secures the loan
and, if known, the street address of the property.
(b) Failure to comply with subdivision (a) does not affect the
validity of the mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument.
(c) Failure to comply with subdivision (a) does not relieve a
person required to give preliminary notice from that duty.
(d) The county recorder of the county in which the instrument is
recorded shall indicate in the general index of the official records
of the county that the instrument secures a construction loan.
Article 3. Completion
8180. (a) For the purpose of this title, completion of a work of
improvement occurs upon the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(1) Actual completion of the work of improvement.
(2) Occupation or use by the owner accompanied by cessation of
labor.
(3) Cessation of labor for a continuous period of 60 days.
(4) Recordation of a notice of cessation after cessation of labor
for a continuous period of 30 days.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if a work of improvement is
subject to acceptance by a public entity, completion occurs on
acceptance.
8182. (a) An owner may record a notice of completion on or within
15 days after the date of completion of a work of improvement.
(b) The notice of completion shall be signed and verified by the
owner.
(c) The notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1, and shall also include all
of the following information:
(1) If the notice is given only of completion of a contract for a
particular portion of the work of improvement as provided in Section
8186, the name of the direct contractor under that contract and a
general statement of the work provided pursuant to the contract.
(2) If signed by the owner’s successor in interest, the name and
address of the successor’s transferor.
(3) The nature of the interest or estate of the owner.
(4) The date of completion. An erroneous statement of the date of
completion does not affect the effectiveness of the notice if the
true date of completion is 15 days or less before the date of
recordation of the notice.
(d) A notice of completion that does not comply with the
provisions of this section is not effective.
(e) For the purpose of this section, “owner” means the owner who
causes a building, improvement, or structure to be constructed,
altered, or repaired, or that person’s successor in interest at the
date a notice of completion is recorded, whether the interest or
estate of the owner be in fee, as vendee under a contract of
purchase, as lessee, or other interest or estate less than the fee.
Where the interest or estate is held by two or more persons as joint
tenants or tenants in common, any one or more of the cotenants may be
deemed to be the “owner” within the meaning of this section.
8184. A notice of completion in otherwise proper form, verified and
containing the information required by this title, shall be accepted
by the recorder for recording and is deemed duly recorded without
acknowledgment.
8186. If a work of improvement is made pursuant to two or more
direct contracts, each covering a portion of the work of improvement:
(a) The owner may record a notice of completion of a direct
contract for a portion of the work of improvement. On recordation of
the notice of completion, for the purpose of Sections 8412 and 8414,
a direct contractor is deemed to have completed the contract for
which the notice of completion is recorded and a claimant other than
a direct contractor is deemed to have ceased providing work.
(b) If the owner does not record a notice of completion under this
section, the period for recording a claim of lien is that provided
in Sections 8412 and 8414.
8188. (a) An owner may record a notice of cessation if there has
been a continuous cessation of labor on a work of improvement for at
least 30 days prior to the recordation that continues through the
date of the recordation.
(b) The notice shall be signed and verified by the owner.
(c) The notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1, and shall also include all
of the following information:
(1) The date on or about which labor ceased.
(2) A statement that the cessation has continued until the
recordation of the notice.
(d) For the purpose of this section, “owner” means the owner who
causes a building, improvement, or structure to be constructed,
altered, or repaired, or that person’s successor in interest at the
date a notice of cessation is recorded, whether the interest or
estate of the owner be in fee, as vendee under a contract of
purchase, as lessee, or other interest or estate less than the fee.
Where the interest or estate is held by two or more persons as joint
tenants or tenants in common, any one or more of the cotenants may be
deemed to be the “owner” within the meaning of this section.
8190. (a) An owner that records a notice of completion or cessation
shall, within 10 days of the date the notice of completion or
cessation is filed for record, give a copy of the notice to all of
the following persons:
(1) A direct contractor.
(2) A claimant that has given the owner preliminary notice.
(b) The copy of the notice shall be given in compliance with the
requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
(c) If the owner fails to give notice to a person as required by
subdivision (a), the notice is ineffective to shorten the time within
which that person may record a claim of lien under Sections 8412 and
1. 8414. The ineffectiveness of the notice is the sole liability of the
2. owner for failure to give notice to a person under subdivision (a).
(d) For the purpose of this section, “owner” means a person who
has an interest in real property, or the person’s successor in
interest on the date a notice of completion or notice of cessation is
recorded, who causes a building, improvement, or structure, to be
constructed, altered, or repaired on the property. If the property is
owned by two or more persons as joint tenants or tenants in common,
any one or more of the cotenants may be deemed to be the “owner”
within the meaning of this section. However, this section does not
apply to any of the following owners:
(1) A person that occupies the real property as a personal
residence, if the dwelling contains four or fewer residential units.
(2) A person that has a security interest in the property.
(3) A person that obtains an interest in the property pursuant to
a transfer described in subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of Section
1102.2.
CHAPTER 2. PRELIMINARY NOTICE
8200. (a) Except as otherwise provided by statute, before recording
a lien claim, giving a stop payment notice, or asserting a claim
against a payment bond, a claimant shall give preliminary notice to
the following persons:
(1) The owner or reputed owner.
(2) The direct contractor or reputed direct contractor to which
the claimant provides work, either directly or through one or more
subcontractors.
(3) The construction lender or reputed construction lender, if
any.
(b) The notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
(c) Compliance with this section is a necessary prerequisite to
the validity of a lien claim or stop payment notice under this title.
(d) Compliance with this section or with Section 8612 is a
necessary prerequisite to the validity of a claim against a payment
bond under this title.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing subdivisions:
(1) A laborer is not required to give preliminary notice.
(2) A claimant with a direct contractual relationship with an
owner or reputed owner is required to give preliminary notice only to
the construction lender or reputed construction lender, if any.
8202. (a) The preliminary notice shall comply with the requirements
of Section 8102, and shall also include:
(1) A general description of the work to be provided.
(2) An estimate of the total price of the work provided and to be
provided.
(3) The following statement in boldface type:
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE PAID YOUR CONTRACTOR IN FULL, if the person or firm that has given you this notice is not paid in full for labor, service, equipment, or material provided or to be provided to your construction project, a lien may be placed on your property. Foreclosure of the lien may lead to loss of all or part of your property. You may wish to protect yourself against this by (1) requiring your contractor to provide a signed release by the person or firm that has given you this notice before making payment to your contractor, or (2) any other method that is appropriate under the circumstances. This notice is required by law to be served by the undersigned as a statement of your legal rights. This notice is not intended to reflect upon the financial condition of the contractor or the person employed by you on the construction project. If you record a notice of cessation or completion of your construction project, you must within 10 days after recording, send a copy of the notice of completion to your contractor and the person or firm that has given you this notice. The notice must be sent by registered or certified mail. Failure to send the notice will extend the deadline to record a claim of lien. You are not required to send the notice if you are a residential homeowner of a dwelling containing four or fewer units.
(b) If preliminary notice is given by a subcontractor that has not
paid all compensation due to a laborer, the notice shall include the
name and address of the laborer and any person or entity described
in subdivision (b) of Section 8024 to which payments are due.
(c) If an invoice for material or certified payroll contains the
information required by this section and Section 8102, a copy of the
invoice or payroll, given in compliance with the requirements of
Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1, is sufficient.
8204. (a) A preliminary notice shall be given not later than 20
days after the claimant has first furnished work on the work of
improvement. If work has been provided by a claimant who did not give
a preliminary notice, that claimant shall not be precluded from
giving a preliminary notice at any time thereafter. The claimant
shall, however, be entitled to record a lien, give a stop payment
notice, and assert a claim against a payment bond only for work
performed within 20 days prior to the service of the preliminary
notice, and at any time thereafter.
(b) A design professional who has furnished services for the
design of the work of improvement and who gives a preliminary notice
not later than 20 days after the work of improvement has commenced
shall be deemed to have complied with Section 8200 with respect to
the design services furnished, or to be furnished.
8206. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a claimant need
give only one preliminary notice to each person to which notice must
be given under this chapter with respect to all work provided by the
claimant for a work of improvement.
(b) If a claimant provides work pursuant to contracts with more
than one subcontractor, the claimant shall give a separate
preliminary notice with respect to work provided pursuant to each
contract.
(c) A preliminary notice that contains a general description of
work provided by the claimant through the date of the notice also
covers work provided by the claimant after the date of the notice
whether or not they are within the scope of the general description
contained in the notice.
8208. A direct contractor shall make available to any person
seeking to give preliminary notice the following information:
(a) The name and address of the owner.
(b) The name and address of the construction lender, if any.
8210. If one or more construction loans are obtained after
commencement of a work of improvement, the owner shall give notice of
the name and address of the construction lender or lenders to each
person that has given the owner preliminary notice.
8212. An agreement made or entered into by an owner whereby the
owner agrees to waive the rights conferred on the owner by this
chapter is void and unenforceable.
8214. (a) Each person who has served a preliminary notice may file
the preliminary notice with the county recorder. A preliminary notice
filed pursuant to this section shall comply with the requirements of
Section 8102.
(b) Upon the acceptance for recording of a notice of completion or
notice of cessation the county recorder shall mail to those persons
who have filed a preliminary notice, notification that a notice of
completion or notice of cessation has been recorded on the property,
and shall affix the date that the notice of completion or notice of
cessation was recorded with the county recorder. The notification
given by the county recorder under this section is not governed by
the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title
1.
(c) The failure of the county recorder to mail the notification to
the person who filed a preliminary notice, or the failure of those
persons to receive the notification or to receive complete
notification, shall not affect the period within which a claim of
lien is required to be recorded. However, the county recorder shall
make a good faith effort to mail notification to those persons who
have filed the preliminary notice under this section and to do so
within five days after the recording of a notice of completion or
notice of cessation.
(d) The county recorder may cause to be destroyed all documents
filed pursuant to this section, two years after the date of filing.
(e) The preliminary notice that a person may file pursuant to this
section is for the limited purpose of facilitating the mailing of
notice by the county recorder of recorded notices of completion and
notices of cessation. The notice that is filed is not a recordable
document and shall not be entered into those official records of the
county which by law impart constructive notice. Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, the index maintained by the recorder of filed
preliminary notices shall be separate and distinct from those
indexes maintained by the county recorder of those official records
of the county which by law impart constructive notice. The filing of
a preliminary notice with the county recorder does not give rise to
any actual or constructive notice with respect to any party of the
existence or contents of a filed preliminary notice nor to any duty
of inquiry on the part of any party as to the existence or contents
of that notice.
8216. If the contract of any subcontractor on a particular work of
improvement provides for payment to the subcontractor of more than
four hundred dollars ($400), the failure of that subcontractor,
licensed under the Contractors’ State License Law (Chapter 9
(commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3 of the Business and
Professions Code), to give the notice provided for in this chapter,
constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under the Contractors’
State License Law.
CHAPTER 3. DESIGN PROFESSIONALS LIEN
8300. For purposes of this chapter, a “design professional” is a
person described in Section 8014 who provides services pursuant to a
written contract with a landowner for the design, engineering, or
planning of a work of improvement.
8302. (a) A design professional has, from the date of recordation
of a claim of lien under this chapter, a lien on the site
notwithstanding the absence of commencement of the planned work of
improvement, if the landowner who contracted for the design
professional’s services is also the owner of the site at the time of
recordation of the claim of lien.
(b) The lien of the design professional is for the amount of the
design professional’s fee for services provided under the contract or
the reasonable value of those services, whichever is less. The
amount of the lien is reduced by the amount of any deposit or prior
payment under the contract.
(c) A design professional may not record a claim of lien, and a
lien may not be created, under this chapter unless a building permit
or other governmental approval in furtherance of the work of
improvement has been obtained in connection with or utilizing the
services provided by the design professional.
8304. A design professional is not entitled to a lien under this
chapter unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) The work of improvement for which the design professional
provided services has not commenced.
(b) The landowner defaults in a payment required under the
contract or refuses to pay the demand of the design professional made
under the contract.
(c) Not less than 10 days before recording a claim of lien, the
design professional gives the landowner notice making a demand for
payment, and stating that a default has occurred under the contract
and the amount of the default.
(d) The design professional records a claim of lien. The claim of
lien shall include all of the following information:
(1) The name of the design professional.
(2) The amount of the claim.
(3) The current owner of record of the site.
(4) A legal description of the site.
(5) Identification of the building permit or other governmental
approval for the work of improvement.
8306. (a) On recordation of the claim of lien, a lien is created in
favor of the named design professional.
(b) The lien automatically expires and is null and void and of no
further force or effect on the occurrence of either of the following
events:
(1) The commencement of the work of improvement for which the
design professional provided services.
(2) The expiration of 90 days after recording the claim of lien,
unless the design professional commences an action to enforce the
lien within that time.
(c) If the landowner partially or fully satisfies the lien, the
design professional shall execute and record a document that
evidences a partial or full satisfaction and release of the lien, as
applicable.
8308. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), no provision of
this part applies to a lien created under this chapter.
(b) The following provisions of this part apply to a lien created
under this chapter:
(1) This chapter.
(2) Article 1 (commencing with Section 8000) of Chapter 1 of Title
1.
(3) Section 8424.
(4) Article 6 (commencing with Section 8460) of Chapter 4.
(5) Article 7 (commencing with Section 8480) of Chapter 4.
(6) Article 8 (commencing with Section 8490) of Chapter 4.
8310. This chapter does not affect the ability of a design
professional to obtain a lien for a work of improvement under Section
8400.
8312. A design professional shall record a claim of lien under this
chapter no later than 90 days after the design professional knows or
has reason to know that the work of improvement will not be
commenced.
8314. The creation of a lien under this chapter does not affect the
ability of the design professional to pursue other remedies.
8316. (a) No lien created under this chapter affects or takes
priority over the interest of record of a purchaser, lessee, or
encumbrancer, if the interest of the purchaser, lessee, or
encumbrancer in the real property was duly recorded before
recordation of the claim of lien.
(b) No lien created under this chapter affects or takes priority
over an encumbrance of a construction lender that funds the loan for
the work of improvement for which the design professional provided
services.
8318. A design professional may not obtain a lien under this
chapter for services provided for a work of improvement relating to a
single-family, owner-occupied residence for which the expected
construction cost is less than one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000).
8319. (a) A design professional may convert a recorded design
professional lien to a mechanics lien if all of the following
requirements are met:
(1) The design professional lien expires pursuant to paragraph (1)
of subdivision (b) of Section 8306.
(2) The design professional lien remains fully or partially
unpaid.
(3) Within 30 days of the expiration of the design professional
lien pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 8306,
the design professional records a mechanics lien for the amount of
the unpaid design professional lien.
(4) The recorded mechanics lien states that it is a converted
design professional lien but shall be recorded and enforced as a
mechanics lien, except the design professional need not provide a
preliminary notice to enforce this mechanics lien. This mechanics
lien shall be effective as of the date of recordation of this
mechanics lien and shall be given priority pursuant to the provisions
of Section 8450.
(b) This section shall not apply if a design professional lien
expires pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 8306.
CHAPTER 4. MECHANICS LIEN
Article 1. Who is Entitled to Lien
8400. A person that provides work authorized for a work of
improvement, including, but not limited to, the following persons,
has a lien right under this chapter:
(a) Direct contractor.
(b) Subcontractor.
(c) Material supplier.
(d) Equipment lessor.
(e) Laborer.
(f) Design professional.
8402. A person that provides work authorized for a site improvement
has a lien right under this chapter.
8404. Work is authorized for a work of improvement or for a site
improvement in any of the following circumstances:
(a) It is provided at the request of or agreed to by the owner.
(b) It is provided or authorized by a direct contractor,
subcontractor, architect, project manager, or other person having
charge of all or part of the work of improvement or site improvement.
Article 2. Conditions to Enforcing a Lien
8410. A claimant may enforce a lien only if the claimant has given
preliminary notice to the extent required by Chapter 2 (commencing
with Section 8200) and made proof of notice.
8412. A direct contractor may not enforce a lien unless the
contractor records a claim of lien after the contractor completes the
direct contract, and before the earlier of the following times:
(a) Ninety days after completion of the work of improvement.
(b) Sixty days after the owner records a notice of completion or
cessation.
8414. A claimant other than a direct contractor may not enforce a
lien unless the claimant records a claim of lien within the following
times:
(a) After the claimant ceases to provide work.
(b) Before the earlier of the following times:
(1) Ninety days after completion of the work of improvement.
(2) Thirty days after the owner records a notice of completion or
cessation.
8416. (a) A claim of mechanics lien shall be a written statement,
signed and verified by the claimant, containing all of the following:
(1) A statement of the claimant’s demand after deducting all just
credits and offsets.
(2) The name of the owner or reputed owner, if known.
(3) A general statement of the kind of work furnished by the
claimant.
(4) The name of the person by whom the claimant was employed or to
whom the claimant furnished work.
(5) A description of the site sufficient for identification.
(6) The claimant’s address.
(7) A proof of service affidavit completed and signed by the
person serving a copy of the claim of mechanics lien pursuant to
subdivision (c). The affidavit shall show the date, place, and manner
of service, and facts showing that the service was made in
accordance with this section. The affidavit shall show the name and
address of the person or persons upon whom the copy of the claim of
mechanics lien was served, and, if appropriate, the title or capacity
in which he or she was served.
(8) The following statement, printed in at least 10-point boldface
type. The letters of the last sentence shall be printed in uppercase
type, excepting the Internet Web site address of the Contractors’
State License Board, which shall be printed in lowercase type:
“”NOTICE OF MECHANICS LIEN ATTENTION! Upon the recording of the enclosed MECHANICS LIEN with the county recorder’s office of the county where the property is located, your property is subject to the filing of a legal action seeking a court-ordered foreclosure sale of the real property on which the lien has been recorded. That legal action must be filed with the court no later than 90 days after the date the mechanics lien is recorded.
The party identified in the enclosed mechanics lien may have provided labor or materials for improvements to your property and may not have been paid for these items. You are receiving this notice because it is a required step in filing a mechanics lien foreclosure action against your property. The foreclosure action will seek a sale of your property in order to pay for unpaid labor, materials, or improvements provided to your property. This may affect your ability to borrow against, refinance, or sell the property until the mechanics lien is released.
BECAUSE THE LIEN AFFECTS YOUR PROPERTY, YOU MAY WISH TO SPEAK WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR IMMEDIATELY, OR CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MECHANICS LIENS GO TO THE CONTRACTORS’ STATE LICENSE BOARD WEB SITE AT www.cslb.ca.gov.”
(b) A claim of mechanics lien in otherwise proper form, verified
and containing the information required in subdivision (a), shall be
accepted by the recorder for recording and shall be deemed duly
recorded without acknowledgment.
(c) A copy of the claim of mechanics lien, which includes the
Notice of Mechanics Lien required by paragraph (8) of subdivision
(a), shall be served on the owner or reputed owner. Service shall be
made as follows:
(1) For an owner or reputed owner to be notified who resides in or
outside this state, by registered mail, certified mail, or
first-class mail, evidenced by a certificate of mailing, postage
prepaid, addressed to the owner or reputed owner at the owner’s or
reputed owner’s residence or place of business address or at the
address shown by the building permit on file with the authority
issuing a building permit for the work, or as otherwise provided in
Section 8174.
(2) If the owner or reputed owner cannot be served by this method,
then the copy of the claim of mechanics lien may be given by
registered mail, certified mail, or first-class mail, evidenced by a
certificate of mailing, postage prepaid, addressed to the
construction lender or to the original contractor.
(d) Service of the copy of the claim of mechanics lien by
registered mail, certified mail, or first-class mail, evidenced by a
certificate of mailing, postage prepaid, is complete at the time of
the deposit of that first-class, certified, or registered mail.
(e) Failure to serve the copy of the claim of mechanics lien as
prescribed by this section, including the Notice of Mechanics Lien
required by paragraph (8) of subdivision (a), shall cause the claim
of mechanics lien to be unenforceable as a matter of law.
8422. (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), erroneous
information contained in a claim of lien relating to the claimant’s
demand, credits and offsets deducted, the work provided, or the
description of the site, does not invalidate the claim of lien.
(b) Erroneous information contained in a claim of lien relating to
the claimant’s demand, credits and offsets deducted, or the work
provided, invalidates the claim of lien if the court determines
either of the following:
(1) The claim of lien was made with intent to defraud.
(2) An innocent third party, without notice, actual or
constructive, became the bona fide owner of the property after
recordation of the claim of lien, and the claim of lien was so
deficient that it did not put the party on further inquiry in any
manner.
(c) Any person who shall willfully include in a claim of lien
labor, services, equipment, or materials not furnished for the
property described in the claim, shall thereby forfeit the person’s
lien.
8424. (a) An owner of real property or an owner of any interest in
real property subject to a recorded claim of lien, or a direct
contractor or subcontractor affected by the claim of lien, that
disputes the correctness or validity of the claim may obtain release
of the real property from the claim of lien by recording a lien
release bond. The principal on the bond may be the owner of the
property, the direct contractor, or the subcontractor.
(b) The bond shall be conditioned on payment of any judgment and
costs the claimant recovers on the lien. The bond shall be in an
amount equal to 125 percent of the amount of the claim of lien or 125
percent of the amount allocated in the claim of lien to the real
property to be released. The bond shall be executed by an admitted
surety insurer.
(c) The bond may be recorded either before or after commencement
of an action to enforce the lien. On recordation of the bond, the
real property is released from the claim of lien and from any action
to enforce the lien.
(d) A person that obtains and records a lien release bond shall
give notice to the claimant. The notice shall comply with the
requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1
and shall include a copy of the bond. Failure to give the notice
required by this section does not affect the validity of the bond,
but the statute of limitations for an action on the bond is tolled
until notice is given. The claimant shall commence an action on the
bond within six months after notice is given.
Article 3. Amount of Lien
8430. (a) The lien is a direct lien for the lesser of the following
amounts:
(1) The reasonable value of the work provided by the claimant.
(2) The price agreed to by the claimant and the person that
contracted for the work.
(b) The lien is not limited in amount by the contract price for
the work of improvement except as provided in Section 8600.
(c) This section does not preclude the claimant from including in
a claim of lien work performed based on a written modification of the
contract, or as a result of rescission, abandonment, or breach of
the contract. If there is a rescission, abandonment, or breach of the
contract, the amount of the lien may not exceed the reasonable value
of the work provided by the claimant.
8432. (a) A lien does not extend to work, whether or not the work
is authorized by a direct contractor or subcontractor, if the work is
not included in a direct contract or a modification of that
contract, and the claimant had actual knowledge or constructive
notice of the provisions of that contract or modification before
providing the work.
(b) The filing of a contract or modification of that contract with
the county recorder, before the commencement of a work of
improvement, is constructive notice of the provisions of the contract
or modification to a person providing work on that work of
improvement.
8434. A direct contractor or a subcontractor may enforce a lien
only for the amount due pursuant to that contractor’s contract after
deducting all lien claims of other claimants for work provided and
embraced within that contract.
Article 4. Property Subject to Lien
8440. Subject to Section 8442, a lien attaches to the work of
improvement and to the real property on which the work of improvement
is situated, including as much space about the work of improvement
as is required for the convenient use and occupation of the work of
improvement.
8442. The following interests in real property to which a lien
attaches are subject to the lien:
(a) The interest of a person that contracted for the work of
improvement.
(b) The interest of a person that did not contract for the work of
improvement, if work for which the lien is claimed was provided with
the knowledge of that person, unless that person gives notice of
nonresponsibility under Section 8444.
8444. (a) An owner of real property or a person claiming an
interest in real property on which a work of improvement is situated
that did not contract for the work of improvement may give notice of
nonresponsibility.
(b) A notice of nonresponsibility shall be signed and verified by
the owner.
(c) The notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
(d) The notice shall also include all of the following
information:
(1) The nature of the owner’s title or interest.
(2) The name of a purchaser under contract, if any, or lessee, if
known.
(3) A statement that the person giving the notice is not
responsible for claims arising from the work of improvement.
(e) A notice of nonresponsibility is not effective unless, within
10 days after the person giving notice has knowledge of the work of
improvement, the person both posts and records the notice.
8446. A claimant may record one claim of lien on two or more works
of improvement, subject to the following conditions:
(a) The works of improvement have or are reputed to have the same
owner, or the work was contracted for by the same person for the
works of improvement whether or not they have the same owner.
(b) The claimant in the claim of lien designates the amount due
for each work of improvement. If the claimant contracted for a lump
sum payment for work provided for the works of improvement and the
contract does not segregate the amount due for each work of
improvement separately, the claimant may estimate an equitable
distribution of the amount due for each work of improvement based on
the proportionate amount of work provided for each. If the claimant
does not designate the amount due for each work of improvement, the
lien is subordinate to other liens.
(c) If there is a single structure on real property of different
owners, the claimant need not segregate the proportion of work
provided for the portion of the structure situated on real property
of each owner. In the lien enforcement action the court may, if it
determines it equitable to do so, designate an equitable distribution
of the lien among the real property of the owners.
(d) The lien does not extend beyond the amount designated as
against other creditors having liens, by judgment, mortgage, or
otherwise, on either the works of improvement or the real property on
which the works of improvement are situated.
8448. (a) As used in this section, “separate residential unit”
means one residential structure, including a residential structure
containing multiple condominium units, together with any common area,
garage, or other appurtenant improvements.
(b) If a work of improvement consists of the construction of two
or more separate residential units:
(1) Each unit is deemed a separate work of improvement, and
completion of each unit is determined separately for purposes of the
time for recording a claim of lien on that unit. This paragraph does
not affect any lien right under Section 8402 or 8446.
(2) Material provided for the work of improvement is deemed to be
provided for use or consumption in each separate residential unit in
which the material is actually used or consumed; but if the claimant
is unable to segregate the amounts used or consumed in separate
residential units, the claimant has the right to all the benefits of
Section 8446.
Article 5. Priorities
8450. (a) A lien under this chapter, other than a lien provided for
in Section 8402, has priority over a lien, mortgage, deed of trust,
or other encumbrance on the work of improvement or the real property
on which the work of improvement is situated, that (1) attaches after
commencement of the work of improvement or (2) was unrecorded at the
commencement of the work of improvement and of which the claimant
had no notice.
(b) Subdivision (a) is subject to the exception provided for in
Section 8452.
8452. A mortgage or deed of trust, otherwise subordinate to a lien
under Section 8450, has priority over a lien for work provided after
recordation of a payment bond that satisfies all of the following
requirements:
(a) The bond refers to the mortgage or deed of trust.
(b) The bond is in an amount not less than 75 percent of the
principal amount of the mortgage or deed of trust.
8454. If a site improvement is provided for in a direct contract
separate from the direct contract for the remainder of the work of
improvement, the site improvement is deemed a separate work of
improvement and commencement of the site improvement is not
commencement of the remainder of the work of improvement.
8456. (a) This section applies to a construction loan secured by a
mortgage or deed of trust that has priority over a lien under this
chapter.
(b) An optional advance of funds by the construction lender that
is used for construction costs has the same priority as a mandatory
advance of funds by the construction lender, provided that the total
of all advances does not exceed the amount of the original
construction loan.
8458. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a lien provided
for in Section 8402 has priority over:
(1) A mortgage, deed of trust, or other encumbrance that attaches
after commencement of the site improvement.
(2) A mortgage, deed of trust, or other encumbrance that was
unrecorded at the commencement of the site improvement and of which
the claimant had no notice.
(3) A mortgage, deed of trust, or other encumbrance that was
recorded before commencement of the site improvement, if given for
the sole or primary purpose of financing the site improvement. This
subdivision does not apply if the loan proceeds are, in good faith,
placed in the control of the lender pursuant to a binding agreement
with the borrower to the effect that (A) the proceeds are to be
applied to the payment of claimants and (B) no portion of the
proceeds will be paid to the borrower in the absence of satisfactory
evidence that all claims have been paid or that the time for
recording a claim of lien has expired and no claim of lien has been
recorded.
(b) A mortgage or deed of trust, otherwise subordinate under
subdivision (a), has priority over a lien provided for in Section
8402 if a payment bond in an amount not less than 50 percent of the
principal amount of the mortgage or deed of trust is recorded before
completion of the work of improvement.
Article 6. Enforcement of Lien
8460. (a) The claimant shall commence an action to enforce a lien
within 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien. If the
claimant does not commence an action to enforce the lien within that
time, the claim of lien expires and is unenforceable.
(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply if the claimant and owner agree
to extend credit, and notice of the fact and terms of the extension
of credit is recorded (1) within 90 days after recordation of the
claim of lien or (2) more than 90 days after recordation of the claim
of lien but before a purchaser or encumbrancer for value and in good
faith acquires rights in the property. In that event the claimant
shall commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after the
expiration of the credit, but in no case later than one year after
completion of the work of improvement. If the claimant does not
commence an action to enforce the lien within that time, the claim of
lien expires and is unenforceable.
8461. After commencement of an action to enforce a lien, the
plaintiff shall record in the office of the county recorder of the
county, or of the several counties in which the property is situated,
a notice of the pendency of the action, as provided in Title 4.5
(commencing with Section 405) of Part 2 of the Code of Civil
Procedure, on or before 20 days after the commencement of the action.
Only from the time of recording that notice shall a purchaser or
encumbrancer of the property affected thereby be deemed to have
constructive notice of the pendency of the action, and in that event
only of its pendency against parties designated by their real names.
8462. Notwithstanding Section 583.420 of the Code of Civil
Procedure, if an action to enforce a lien is not brought to trial
within two years after commencement of the action, the court may in
its discretion dismiss the action for want of prosecution.
8464. In addition to any other costs allowed by law, the court in
an action to enforce a lien shall allow as costs to each claimant
whose lien is established the amount paid to verify and record the
claim of lien, whether the claimant is a plaintiff or defendant.
8466. If there is a deficiency of proceeds from the sale of
property on a judgment for enforcement of a lien, a deficiency
judgment may be entered against a party personally liable for the
deficiency in the same manner and with the same effect as in an
action to foreclose a mortgage.
8468. (a) This chapter does not affect any of the following rights
of a claimant:
(1) The right to maintain a personal action to recover a debt
against the person liable, either in a separate action or in an
action to enforce a lien.
(2) The right to a writ of attachment. In an application for a
writ of attachment, the claimant shall refer to this section. The
claimant’s recording of a claim of lien does not affect the right to
a writ of attachment.
(3) The right to enforce a judgment.
(b) A judgment obtained by the claimant in a personal action
described in subdivision (a) does not impair or merge the claim of
lien, but any amount collected on the judgment shall be credited on
the amount of the lien.
8470. In an action to enforce a lien for work provided to a
contractor:
(a) The contractor shall defend the action at the contractor’s own
expense. During the pendency of the action the owner may withhold
from the direct contractor the amount of the lien claim.
(b) If the judgment in the action is against the owner or the
owner’s property, the owner may deduct the amount of the judgment and
costs from any amount owed to the direct contractor. If the amount
of the judgment and costs exceeds the amount owed to the direct
contractor, or if the owner has settled with the direct contractor in
full, the owner may recover from the direct contractor, or the
sureties on a bond given by the direct contractor for faithful
performance of the direct contract, the amount of the judgment and
costs that exceed the contract price and for which the direct
contractor was originally liable.
Article 7. Release Order
8480. (a) The owner of property or the owner of any interest in
property subject to a claim of lien may petition the court for an
order to release the property from the claim of lien if the claimant
has not commenced an action to enforce the lien within the time
provided in Section 8460.
(b) This article does not bar any other cause of action or claim
for relief by the owner of the property. A release order does not bar
any other cause of action or claim for relief by the claimant, other
than an action to enforce the claim of lien that is the subject of
the release order.
(c) A petition for a release order under this article may be
joined with a pending action to enforce the claim of lien that is the
subject of the petition. No other action or claim for relief may be
joined with a petition under this article.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 8056, Chapter 2.5 (commencing with
Section 1141.10) of Title 3 of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure
does not apply to a proceeding under this article.
8482. An owner of property may not petition the court for a release
order under this article unless at least 10 days before filing the
petition the owner gives the claimant notice demanding that the
claimant execute and record a release of the claim of lien. The
notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing
with Section 8100) of Title 1, and shall state the grounds for the
demand.
8484. A petition for a release order shall be verified and shall
allege all of the following:
(a) The date of recordation of the claim of lien. A certified copy
of the claim of lien shall be attached to the petition.
(b) The county in which the claim of lien is recorded.
(c) The book and page or series number of the place in the
official records where the claim of lien is recorded.
(d) The legal description of the property subject to the claim of
lien.
(e) Whether an extension of credit has been granted under Section
8460, if so to what date, and that the time for commencement of an
action to enforce the lien has expired.
(f) That the owner has given the claimant notice under Section
8482 demanding that the claimant execute and record a release of the
lien and that the claimant is unable or unwilling to do so or cannot
with reasonable diligence be found.
(g) Whether an action to enforce the lien is pending.
(h) Whether the owner of the property or interest in the property
has filed for relief in bankruptcy or there is another restraint that
prevents the claimant from commencing an action to enforce the lien.
8486. (a) On the filing of a petition for a release order, the
clerk shall set a hearing date. The date shall be not more than 30
days after the filing of the petition. The court may continue the
hearing only on a showing of good cause, but in any event the court
shall rule and make any necessary orders on the petition not later
than 60 days after the filing of the petition.
(b) The petitioner shall serve a copy of the petition and a notice
of hearing on the claimant at least 15 days before the hearing.
Service shall be made in the same manner as service of summons, or by
certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested, addressed to the claimant as provided in Section 8108.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 8116, when service is made by mail,
service is complete on the fifth day following deposit of the
petition and notice in the mail.
8488. (a) At the hearing both (1) the petition and (2) the issue of
compliance with the service and date for hearing requirements of
this article are deemed controverted by the claimant. The petitioner
has the initial burden of producing evidence on those matters. The
petitioner has the burden of proof as to the issue of compliance with
the service and date for hearing requirements of this article. The
claimant has the burden of proof as to the validity of the lien.
(b) If judgment is in favor of the petitioner, the court shall
order the property released from the claim of lien.
(c) The prevailing party is entitled to reasonable attorney’s
fees.
Article 8. Removal of Claim of Lien from Record
8490. (a) A court order dismissing a cause of action to enforce a
lien or releasing property from a claim of lien, or a judgment that
no lien exists, shall include all of the following information:
(1) The date of recordation of the claim of lien.
(2) The county in which the claim of lien is recorded.
(3) The book and page or series number of the place in the
official records where the claim of lien is recorded.
(4) The legal description of the property.
(b) A court order or judgment under this section is equivalent to
cancellation of the claim of lien and its removal from the record.
(c) A court order or judgment under this section is a recordable
instrument. On recordation of a certified copy of the court order or
judgment, the property described in the order or judgment is released
from the claim of lien.
(d) This section does not apply to a court order dismissing an
action to enforce a lien that is expressly stated to be without
prejudice.
8494. If a claim of lien expires and is unenforceable under Section
8460, or if a court order or judgment is recorded under Section
8490, the claim of lien does not constitute actual or constructive
notice of any of the matters contained, claimed, alleged, or
contended in the claim of lien, or create a duty of inquiry in any
person thereafter dealing with the affected property.
CHAPTER 5. STOP PAYMENT NOTICE
Article 1. General Provisions
8500. The rights of all persons furnishing work for any work of
improvement, with respect to any fund for payment of construction
costs, are governed exclusively by this chapter, and no person may
assert any legal or equitable right with respect to the fund, other
than a right created by a written contract between that person and
the person holding the fund, except pursuant to the provisions of
this chapter.
8502. (a) A stop payment notice shall comply with the requirements
of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1, and shall be
signed and verified by the claimant.
(b) The notice shall include a general description of work to be
provided, and an estimate of the total amount in value of the work to
be provided.
(c) The amount claimed in the notice may include only the amount
due the claimant for work provided through the date of the notice.
8504. A claimant that willfully gives a false stop payment notice
or that willfully includes in the notice a demand to withhold for
work that has not been provided forfeits all right to participate in
the distribution of the funds withheld and all right to a lien under
Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 8400).
8506. (a) A stop payment notice to an owner shall be given to the
owner or to the owner’s architect, if any.
(b) A stop payment notice to a construction lender holding
construction funds shall not be effective unless given to the manager
or other responsible officer or person at the office or branch of
the lender administering or holding the construction funds.
(c) A stop payment notice shall comply with the requirements of
Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
8508. A stop payment notice is not valid unless both of the
following conditions are satisfied:
(a) The claimant gave preliminary notice to the extent required by
Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8200).
(b) The claimant gave the stop payment notice before expiration of
the time within which a claim of lien must be recorded under Chapter
4 (commencing with Section 8400).
8510. (a) A person may obtain release of funds withheld pursuant to
a stop payment notice by giving the person withholding the funds a
release bond.
(b) A release bond shall be given by an admitted surety insurer
and shall be conditioned for payment of any amount not exceeding the
penal obligation of the bond that the claimant recovers on the claim,
together with costs of suit awarded in the action. The bond shall be
in an amount equal to 125 percent of the amount claimed in the stop
payment notice.
(c) On receipt of a release bond, the person withholding funds
pursuant to the stop payment notice shall release them.
Article 2. Stop Payment Notice to Owner
8520. (a) A person that has a lien right under Chapter 4
(commencing with Section 8400), other than a direct contractor, may
give the owner a stop payment notice.
(b) The owner may give notice, in compliance with the requirements
of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1, demanding
that a person that has a lien right under Chapter 4 (commencing with
Section 8400) give the owner a stop payment notice. If the person
fails to give the owner a bonded or unbonded stop payment notice, the
person forfeits the right to a lien under Chapter 4 (commencing with
Section 8400).
8522. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), on receipt of a
stop payment notice an owner shall withhold from the direct
contractor or from any person acting under authority of a direct
contractor a sufficient amount due or to become due to the direct
contractor to pay the claim stated in the notice.
(b) The owner may, but is not required to, withhold funds if the
owner has previously recorded a payment bond under Section 8600. If
the owner does not withhold funds, the owner shall, within 30 days
after receipt of the stop payment notice, give notice to the claimant
that a payment bond has been recorded and provide the claimant a
copy of the bond. The notice shall comply with the requirements of
Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
Article 3. Stop Payment Notice to Construction Lender
8530. A person that has a lien right under Chapter 4 (commencing
with Section 8400) may give a construction lender a stop payment
notice.
8532. A claimant may give a construction lender a stop payment
notice accompanied by a bond in an amount equal to 125 percent of the
amount of the claim. The bond shall be conditioned that if the
defendant recovers judgment in an action to enforce payment of the
claim stated in the stop payment notice or to enforce a claim of lien
recorded by the claimant, the claimant will pay all costs that are
awarded the owner, direct contractor, or construction lender, and all
damages to the owner, direct contractor, or construction lender that
result from the stop payment notice or recordation of the claim of
lien, not exceeding the amount of the bond.
8534. (a) A construction lender that objects to the sufficiency of
sureties on the bond given with a bonded stop payment notice shall
give notice to the claimant of the objection, within 20 days after
the bonded stop payment notice is given. The notice shall comply with
the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of
Title 1.
(b) The claimant may within 10 days after notice of the objection
is given substitute for the initial bond a bond executed by an
admitted surety insurer. If the claimant does not substitute a bond
executed by an admitted surety insurer, the construction lender may
disregard the bonded stop payment notice and release all funds
withheld in response to that notice.
8536. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), on receipt of a
stop payment notice a construction lender shall withhold from the
borrower or other person to whom the lender or the owner is obligated
to make payments or advancement out of the construction fund
sufficient funds to pay the claim stated in the notice.
(b) The construction lender may, at its option, elect not to
withhold funds in any of the following circumstances:
(1) The stop payment notice is unbonded.
(2) The stop payment notice is given by a claimant other than a
direct contractor, and a payment bond is recorded before the lender
is given any stop payment notice.
8538. (a) The claimant may make a written request for notice of an
election by the construction lender under Section 8536 not to
withhold funds. The request shall be made at the time the claimant
gives the construction lender the stop payment notice and shall be
accompanied by a preaddressed, stamped envelope.
(b) If the construction lender elects not to withhold funds under
Section 8536, the lender shall, within 30 days after making the
election, give notice of that fact to a claimant who has requested
notice of the election under subdivision (a). The notice shall comply
with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of
Title 1. If the basis of the election is the recordation of a
payment bond under Section 8600, the construction lender shall
include a copy of the bond with the notice.
(c) A construction lender is not liable for failure to include a
copy of the bond with the notice under this section if all of the
following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The failure was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide
error.
(2) The lender maintains reasonable procedures to avoid an error
of that type.
(3) The lender corrected the error not later than 20 days after
the date the lender discovered the violation.
Article 4. Priorities
8540. (a) Funds withheld pursuant to a stop payment notice shall be
distributed in the following order of priority:
(1) First, to pay claims of persons that have given a bonded stop
payment notice. If funds are insufficient to pay the claims of those
persons in full, the funds shall be distributed pro rata among the
claimants in the ratio that the claim of each bears to the aggregate
of all claims for which a bonded stop payment notice is given.
(2) Second, to pay claims of persons that have given an unbonded
stop payment notice. If funds are insufficient to pay the claims of
those persons in full, the funds shall be distributed among the
claimants in the ratio that the claim of each bears to the aggregate
of all claims for which an unbonded stop payment notice is given.
(b) Pro rata distribution under this section shall be made among
the persons entitled to share in the distribution without regard to
the order in which the person has given a stop payment notice or
commenced an enforcement action.
8542. Notwithstanding Section 8540:
(a) If funds are withheld pursuant to a stop payment notice given
to a construction lender by a direct contractor or subcontractor, the
direct contractor or subcontractor may recover only the net amount
due the direct contractor or subcontractor after deducting any funds
that are withheld by the construction lender pursuant to the claims
of subcontractors and material suppliers that have given a stop
payment notice for work done on behalf of the direct contractor or
subcontractor.
(b) In no event is the construction lender required to withhold,
pursuant to a stop payment notice, more than the net amount provided
in subdivision (a). Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, a construction lender is not liable for failure to withhold
more than that net amount on receipt of a stop payment notice.
8544. The rights of a claimant who gives a construction lender a
stop payment notice are not affected by an assignment of construction
loan funds made by the owner or direct contractor, and the stop
payment notice has priority over the assignment, whether the
assignment is made before or after the stop payment notice is given.
Article 5. Enforcement of Claim Stated in Stop Payment Notice
8550. (a) A claimant shall commence an action to enforce payment of
the claim stated in a stop payment notice at any time after 10 days
from the date the claimant gives the stop payment notice.
(b) A claimant shall commence an action to enforce payment of the
claim stated in a stop payment notice not later than 90 days after
expiration of the time within which a stop payment notice must be
given.
(c) An action under this section may not be brought to trial or
judgment entered before expiration of the time provided in
subdivision (b).
(d) If a claimant does not commence an action to enforce payment
of the claim stated in a stop payment notice within the time
prescribed in subdivision (b), the notice ceases to be effective and
the person withholding funds pursuant to the notice shall release
them.
(e) Within five days after commencement of an action to enforce
payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice, the claimant
shall give notice of commencement of the action to the persons to
whom the stop payment notice was given. The notice shall comply with
the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title
1.
8552. If more than one claimant has given a stop payment notice:
(a) Any number of claimants may join in the same enforcement
action.
(b) If claimants commence separate actions, the court first
acquiring jurisdiction may order the actions consolidated.
(c) On motion of the owner or construction lender the court shall
require all claimants to be impleaded in one action, to the end that
the rights of all parties may be adjudicated in the action.
8554. Notwithstanding Section 583.420 of the Code of Civil
Procedure, if an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a
stop payment notice is not brought to trial within two years after
commencement of the action, the court may in its discretion dismiss
the action for want of prosecution.
8556. A stop payment notice ceases to be effective, and a person
withholding funds pursuant to the notice shall release them, in
either of the following circumstances:
(a) An action to enforce payment of the claim stated in the stop
payment notice is dismissed, unless expressly stated to be without
prejudice.
(b) Judgment in an action to enforce payment of the claim stated
in the stop payment notice is against the claimant.
8558. (a) In an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a
bonded stop payment notice, the prevailing party is entitled to a
reasonable attorney’s fee in addition to costs and damages.
(b) The court, on notice and motion by a party, shall determine
who is the prevailing party or that there is no prevailing party for
the purpose of this section, regardless of whether the action
proceeds to final judgment. The prevailing party is the party that
recovers greater relief in the action, subject to the following
limitations:
(1) If the action is voluntarily dismissed or dismissed pursuant
to a settlement, there is no prevailing party.
(2) If the defendant tenders to the claimant the full amount to
which the claimant is entitled, and deposits in court for the
claimant the amount so tendered, and alleges those facts in the
answer and the allegation is determined to be true, the defendant is
deemed to be the prevailing party.
8560. If the claimant is the prevailing party in an action to
enforce payment of the claim stated in a bonded stop payment notice,
any amount awarded on the claim shall include interest at the legal
rate calculated from the date the stop payment notice is given.
CHAPTER 6. PAYMENT BOND
8600. (a) This section applies if, before the commencement of work,
the owner in good faith files a direct contract with the county
recorder, and records a payment bond of the direct contractor in an
amount not less than 50 percent of the price stated in the direct
contract.
(b) If the conditions of subdivision (a) are satisfied, the court
shall, where equitable to do so, restrict lien enforcement under this
title to the aggregate amount due from the owner to the direct
contractor and shall enter judgment against the direct contractor and
surety on the bond for any deficiency that remains between the
amount due to the direct contractor and the whole amount due to
claimants.
8602. Section 8600 does not preclude an owner from requiring a
performance bond, payment bond, or other security as protection
against a direct contractor’s failure to perform the direct contract
or to make full payment for all work provided pursuant to the
contract.
8604. (a) If a lending institution requires that a payment bond be
given as a condition of lending money to finance a work of
improvement, and accepts in writing as sufficient a bond given in
fulfillment of the requirement, the lending institution may not
thereafter object to the borrower as to the validity of the bond or
refuse to make the loan based on an objection to the bond if the bond
is given by an admitted surety insurer.
(b) For purposes of this section, a “lending institution” includes
a commercial bank, savings and loan institution, credit union, or
other organization or person engaged in the business of financing
loans.
8606. (a) A payment bond under this title shall be conditioned for
the payment in full of the claims of all claimants and shall by its
terms inure to the benefit of all claimants so as to give a claimant
a right of action to enforce the liability on the bond. The bond
shall be given by an admitted surety insurer.
(b) An owner, direct contractor, or subcontractor may be the
principal on the bond.
(c) A claimant may enforce the liability on the bond in an action
to enforce a lien under this part or in a separate action on the
bond.
8608. (a) This title does not give a claimant a right to recover on
a direct contractor’s payment bond given under this chapter unless
the claimant provided work to the direct contractor either directly
or through one or more subcontractors, pursuant to a direct contract.
(b) Nothing in this section affects the stop payment notice right
of, and relative priorities among, design professionals and holders
of secured interests in the real property.
8609. Any provision in a payment bond attempting by contract to
shorten the period prescribed in Section 337 of the Code of Civil
Procedure for the commencement of an action on the bond shall not be
valid under either of the following circumstances:
(a) If the provision attempts to limit the time for commencement
of an action on the bond to a shorter period than six months from the
completion of any work of improvement.
(b) As applied to any action brought by a claimant, unless the
bond is recorded before the work of improvement is commenced.
8610. Notwithstanding Section 8609, if a payment bond under this
title is recorded before completion of a work of improvement, an
action to enforce the liability on the bond may not be commenced
later than six months after completion of the work of improvement.
8612. (a) In order to enforce a claim against a payment bond under
this title, a claimant shall give the preliminary notice provided in
Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8200).
(b) If preliminary notice was not given as provided in Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 8200), a claimant may enforce a claim by
giving written notice to the surety and the bond principal within 15
days after recordation of a notice of completion. If no notice of
completion has been recorded, the time for giving written notice to
the surety and the bond principal is extended to 75 days after
completion of the work of improvement.
(c) Commencing July 1, 2012, and except as provided in subdivision
(b), if the preliminary notice was required to be given by a person
who has no direct contractual relationship with the contractor, and
who has not given notice as provided in Chapter 2 (commencing with
Section 8200), that person may enforce a claim by giving written
notice to the surety and the bond principal, as provided in Section
8614, within 15 days after recordation of a notice of completion. If
no notice of completion has been recorded, the time for giving
written notice to the surety and the bond principal is extended to 75
days after completion of the work of improvement.
(d) Subdivision (c) shall not apply in either of the following
circumstances:
(1) All progress payments, except for those disputed in good
faith, have been made to a subcontractor who has a direct contractual
relationship with the general contractor to whom the claimant has
provided materials or services.
(2) The subcontractor who has a direct contractual relationship
with the general contractor to whom the claimant has provided
materials or services has been terminated from the project pursuant
to the contract, and all progress payments, except those disputed in
good faith, have been made as of the termination date.
(e) Pursuant to Section 8200, this section shall not apply to a
laborer, as defined under Section 8024.
(f) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2012.
8614. Notice to the principal and surety under Section 8612 shall
comply with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
8100) of Title 1.
CHAPTER 7. SECURITY FOR LARGE PROJECT
Article 1. Application of Chapter
8700. (a) This chapter applies if any of the following conditions
is satisfied:
(1) The owner of the fee interest in property contracts for a work
of improvement on the property with a contract price greater than
five million dollars ($5,000,000).
(2) The owner of a less than fee interest in property, including a
leasehold interest, contracts for a work of improvement on the
property with a contract price greater than one million dollars
($1,000,000).
(b) For the purpose of this section:
(1) The owner of the fee interest in property is not deemed to be
the owner of a less than fee interest by reason of a mortgage, deed
of trust, ground lease, or other lien or encumbrance or right of
occupancy that encumbers the fee interest.
(2) A lessee of real property is deemed to be the owner of a fee
interest in the real property if all of the following conditions are
satisfied:
(A) The initial term of the lease is at least 35 years.
(B) The lease covers one or more lawful parcels under the
Subdivision Map Act, Division 2 (commencing with Section 66410) of
Title 7 of the Government Code, and any applicable local ordinance
adopted under that act, in their entirety, including, but not limited
to, a parcel approved pursuant to a certificate of compliance
proceeding.
8702. This chapter does not apply to any of the following works of
improvement:
(a) A single-family residence, including a single-family residence
located within a subdivision, and any associated fixed work that
requires the services of a general engineering contractor as defined
in Section 7056 of the Business and Professions Code. As used in this
subdivision, “single-family residence” means a real property
improvement used or intended to be used as a dwelling unit for one
family.
(b) A housing development eligible for a density bonus under
Section 65915 of the Government Code.
8704. This chapter does not apply to any of the following owners:
(a) A qualified publicly traded company or a wholly owned
subsidiary of a qualified publicly traded company, if the obligations
of the subsidiary pursuant to the contract for the work of
improvement are guaranteed by the parent. As used in this
subdivision, “qualified publicly traded company” means a company
having a class of equity securities listed for trading on the New
York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, or the NASDAQ stock
market, and the nonsubordinated debt securities of which are rated
as “investment grade” by either Fitch ICBA, Inc., Moody’s Investor
Services, Inc., Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, or a similar
statistical rating organization that is nationally recognized for
rating the creditworthiness of a publicly traded company. If at any
time before final payment of all amounts due pursuant to the contract
the nonsubordinated debt securities of the qualified publicly traded
company are downgraded to below “investment grade” by any of those
rating organizations, the owner is no longer exempt from this
chapter.
(b) A qualified private company or a wholly owned subsidiary of a
qualified private company, if the obligations of the subsidiary
pursuant to the contract for the work of improvement are guaranteed
by the parent. As used in this subdivision, “qualified private
company” means a company that has no equity securities listed for
trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange,
or the NASDAQ stock market, and that has a net worth determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in excess of
fifty million dollars ($50,000,000). If at any time before final
payment of all amounts due pursuant to the contract the net worth of
the qualified private company is reduced below that level, the owner
is no longer exempt from this chapter.
Article 2. Security Requirement
8710. An owner described in subdivision (a) of Section 8700 shall
provide the direct contractor all of the following:
(a) Security for the owner’s payment obligation pursuant to the
contract. The security shall be used only if the owner defaults on
the payment obligation to the direct contractor. This subdivision
does not apply to an owner that is the majority owner of the direct
contractor.
(b) A copy, certified by the county recorder, of any recorded
mortgage or deed of trust that secures the construction loan of a
lending institution for the work of improvement, disclosing the
amount of the loan.
8712. If an owner fails to provide or maintain the security
required by this chapter, the direct contractor may give the owner
notice demanding security. The notice shall comply with the
requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
If the owner does not provide or maintain the security within 10 days
after notice demanding security is given, the direct contractor may
suspend work until the owner provides or maintains the security.
8714. It is against public policy to waive the provisions of this
chapter by contract.
8716. This chapter does not affect any statute providing for
mechanics liens, stop payment notices, bond remedies, or prompt
payment rights of a subcontractor, including the direct contractor’s
payment responsibilities under Section 7108.5 of the Business and
Professions Code.
Article 3. Form of Security
8720. An owner shall provide security by any of the following
means:
(a) A bond that satisfies Section 8722.
(b) An irrevocable letter of credit that satisfies Section 8724.
(c) An escrow account that satisfies Section 8726.
8722. A bond under this chapter shall satisfy all of the following
requirements:
(a) The bond shall be executed by an admitted surety insurer that
is either listed in the Department of the Treasury’s Listing of
Approved Sureties (Department Circular 570) or that has an A.M. Best
rating of A or better and has an underwriting limitation, under
Section 12090 of the Insurance Code, greater than the amount of the
bond.
(b) The bond shall be in an amount not less than 15 percent of the
contract price for the work of improvement or, if the work of
improvement is to be substantially completed within six months after
the commencement of work, not less than 25 percent of the contract
price.
(c) The bond shall be conditioned for payment on default by the
owner of any undisputed amount pursuant to the contract that is due
and payable for more than 30 days.
8724. An irrevocable letter of credit under this chapter shall
satisfy all of the following requirements:
(a) The letter of credit shall be issued by a financial
institution, as defined in Section 5107 of the Financial Code,
inuring to the benefit of the direct contractor.
(b) The letter of credit shall be in an amount not less than 15
percent of the contract price for the work of improvement or, if the
work of improvement is to be substantially completed within six
months after the commencement of work, not less than 25 percent of
the contract price.
(c) The maturity date and other terms of the letter of credit
shall be determined by agreement between the owner, the direct
contractor, and the financial institution, except that the owner
shall maintain the letter of credit in effect until the owner has
satisfied its payment obligation to the direct contractor.
8726. An escrow account under this chapter shall satisfy all of the
following requirements:
(a) The account shall be designated as a “construction security
escrow account.”
(b) The account shall be located in this state and maintained with
an escrow agent licensed under the Escrow Law, Division 6
(commencing with Section 17000) of the Financial Code, or with any
person exempt from the Escrow Law under paragraph (1) or (3) of
subdivision (a) of Section 17006 of the Financial Code.
(c) The owner shall deposit funds in the account in the amount
provided in Section 8728. This chapter does not require a
construction lender to agree to deposit proceeds of a construction
loan in the account.
(d) The owner shall grant the direct contractor a perfected, first
priority security interest in the account and in all funds deposited
by the owner in the account and in their proceeds, established to
the reasonable satisfaction of the direct contractor, which may be by
a written opinion of legal counsel for the owner.
(e) The funds on deposit in the account shall be the sole property
of the owner, subject to the security interest of the direct
contractor. The owner and the direct contractor shall instruct the
escrow holder to hold the funds on deposit in the account for the
purpose of perfecting the direct contractor’s security interest in
the account and to disburse those funds only on joint authorization
of the owner and the direct contractor, or pursuant to a court order
that is binding on both of them.
8728. The following provisions govern a deposit to or disbursement
from a construction security escrow account under this chapter:
(a) Before the commencement of work the owner shall make an
initial deposit to the account in an amount not less than 15 percent
of the contract price for the work of improvement or, if the work of
improvement is to be substantially completed within six months after
the commencement of work, not less than 25 percent of the contract
price.
(b) If the contract provides for a retention to be withheld from a
periodic payment to the direct contractor, the owner shall deposit
to the account the amount withheld as retention at the time the owner
makes the corresponding payment to the direct contractor from which
the retention is withheld.
(c) The amount required to be maintained on deposit shall not
exceed the total amount remaining to be paid to the direct contractor
pursuant to the contract or as adjusted by agreement between the
owner and the direct contractor. If the amount on deposit equals or
exceeds the total amount remaining to be paid to the direct
contractor, the owner and the direct contractor shall authorize
disbursement to the direct contractor for progress payments then due
the direct contractor, but a party is not obligated to authorize
disbursement that would cause the amount remaining on deposit
following the disbursement to be less than the total amount remaining
to be paid to the direct contractor.
(d) The owner and the direct contractor shall authorize the
disbursement to the owner of any funds remaining on deposit after the
direct contractor has been paid all amounts due pursuant to the
contract. The owner and the direct contractor shall authorize the
disbursement of funds on deposit pursuant to a court order that is
binding on both of them. The owner and the direct contractor may
agree in the contract to additional conditions for the disbursement
of funds on deposit, except that the conditions may not cause the
amount remaining on deposit to be less than the amount required under
this section.
8730. If the contract price for a work of improvement is not a
fixed price, the amount of security provided under this chapter shall
be the guaranteed maximum price or, if there is no guaranteed
maximum price, the owner’s and direct contractor’s good faith
estimate of the reasonable value of the work to be provided pursuant
to the contract.
CHAPTER 8. PROMPT PAYMENT
Article 1. Progress Payment
8800. (a) Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the owner and
direct contractor, the owner shall pay the direct contractor, within
30 days after notice demanding payment pursuant to the contract is
given, any progress payment due as to which there is no good faith
dispute between them. The notice given shall comply with the
requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
(b) If there is a good faith dispute between the owner and direct
contractor as to a progress payment due, the owner may withhold from
the progress payment an amount not in excess of 150 percent of the
disputed amount.
(c) An owner that violates this section is liable to the direct
contractor for a penalty of 2 percent per month on the amount
wrongfully withheld, in place of any interest otherwise due. In an
action for collection of the amount wrongfully withheld, the
prevailing party is entitled to costs and a reasonable attorney’s
fee.
(d) This section does not supersede any requirement of Article 2
(commencing with Section 8810) relating to the withholding of a
retention.
8802. (a) This section applies to a contract between a public
utility and a direct contractor for all or part of a work of
improvement.
(b) Unless the direct contractor and a subcontractor otherwise
agree in writing, within 21 days after receipt of a progress payment
from the public utility the direct contractor shall pay the
subcontractor the amount allowed the direct contractor on account of
the work performed by the subcontractor to the extent of the
subcontractor’s interest in the work. If there is a good faith
dispute over all or part of the amount due on a progress payment from
the direct contractor to a subcontractor, the direct contractor may
withhold an amount not in excess of 150 percent of the disputed
amount.
(c) A direct contractor that violates this section is liable to
the subcontractor for a penalty of 2 percent of the disputed amount
due per month for every month that payment is not made. In an action
for collection of the amount wrongfully withheld, the prevailing
party is entitled to costs and a reasonable attorney’s fee.
(d) This section does not limit or impair a contractual,
administrative, or judicial remedy otherwise available to a
contractor or subcontractor in a dispute involving late payment or
nonpayment by the contractor or deficient performance or
nonperformance by the subcontractor.
Article 2. Retention Payment
8810. This article governs a retention payment withheld by an owner
from a direct contractor or by a direct contractor from a
subcontractor.
8812. (a) If an owner withholds a retention from a direct
contractor, the owner shall, within 45 days after completion of the
work of improvement, pay the retention to the contractor.
(b) If part of a work of improvement ultimately will become the
property of a public entity, the owner may condition payment of a
retention allocable to that part on acceptance of the part by the
public entity.
(c) If there is a good faith dispute between the owner and direct
contractor as to a retention payment due, the owner may withhold from
final payment an amount not in excess of 150 percent of the disputed
amount.
8814. (a) If a direct contractor has withheld a retention from one
or more subcontractors, the direct contractor shall, within 10 days
after receiving all or part of a retention payment, pay to each
subcontractor from whom retention has been withheld that
subcontractor’s share of the payment.
(b) If a retention received by the direct contractor is
specifically designated for a particular subcontractor, the direct
contractor shall pay the retention payment to the designated
subcontractor, if consistent with the terms of the subcontract.
(c) If a good faith dispute exists between the direct contractor
and a subcontractor, the direct contractor may withhold from the
retention to the subcontractor an amount not in excess of 150 percent
of the estimated value of the disputed amount.
8816. (a) If the direct contractor gives the owner, or a
subcontractor gives the direct contractor, notice that work in
dispute has been completed in accordance with the contract, the owner
or direct contractor shall within 10 days give notice advising the
notifying party of the acceptance or rejection of the disputed work.
Both notices shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
(b) Within 10 days after acceptance of disputed work, the owner or
direct contractor shall pay the portion of the retention relating to
the disputed work.
8818. If an owner or direct contractor does not make a retention
payment within the time required by this article:
(a) The owner or direct contractor is liable to the person to
which payment is owed for a penalty of 2 percent per month on the
amount wrongfully withheld, in place of any interest otherwise due.
(b) In an action for collection of the amount wrongfully withheld,
the prevailing party is entitled to costs and reasonable attorney’s
fees.
8820. It is against public policy to waive the provisions of this
article by contract.
8822. This article does not apply to a retention payment withheld
by a lender pursuant to a construction loan agreement.
Article 3. Stop Work Notice
8830. “Stop work notice” means notice given under this article by a
direct contractor to an owner that the contractor will stop work if
the amount owed the contractor is not paid within 10 days after
notice is given.
8832. If a direct contractor is not paid the amount due pursuant to
a written contract within 35 days after the date payment is due
under the contract, and there is no dispute as to the satisfactory
performance of the contractor, the contractor may give the owner a
stop work notice. The notice shall comply with the requirements of
Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.
8834. A direct contractor that gives an owner a stop work notice
shall give the following additional notice:
(a) At least five days before giving the stop work notice, the
contractor shall post notice of intent to give a stop work notice.
The notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1. In addition to posting the
notice pursuant to Section 8114, the notice shall also be posted at
the main office of the site, if one exists.
(b) At the same time the contractor gives the stop work notice,
the contractor shall give a copy of the stop work notice to all
subcontractors with whom the contractor has a direct contractual
relationship on the work of improvement.
8836. Within five days after receipt of a stop work notice from a
direct contractor, the owner shall give a copy of the notice to the
construction lender, if any. The copy of the notice shall be given in
compliance with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with
Section 8100) of Title 1.
8838. (a) The direct contractor or the direct contractor’s surety,
or a subcontractor or a subcontractor’s surety, is not liable for
delay or damage that the owner or a contractor of a subcontractor may
suffer as a result of the direct contractor giving a stop work
notice and subsequently stopping work for nonpayment, if the notice
and posting requirements of this article are satisfied.
(b) A direct contractor’s or original subcontractor’s liability to
a subcontractor or material supplier after the direct contractor
stops work under this article is limited to the amount the
subcontractor or material supplier could otherwise recover under this
title for work provided up to the date the subcontractor or material
supplier ceases work, subject to the following exceptions:
(1) The direct contractor’s or original subcontractor’s liability
continues for work provided up to and including the 10-day notice
period and not beyond.
(2) This subdivision does not limit liability for custom work,
including materials that have been fabricated, manufactured, or
ordered to specifications that are unique to the job.
8840. On resolution of the claim in the stop work notice or the
direct contractor’s cancellation of the stop work notice, the
contractor shall post, and give subcontractors with whom the
contractor has a direct contractual relationship on the work of
improvement, notice of the resolution or cancellation. The notice
shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with
Section 8100) of Title 1. In addition to posting the notice pursuant
to Section 8114, the notice shall also be posted at the main office
of the site, if one exists.
8842. A direct contractor’s right to stop work under this article
is in addition to other rights the direct contractor may have under
the law.
8844. (a) If payment of the amount claimed is not made within 10
days after a stop work notice is given, the direct contractor, the
direct contractor’s surety, or an owner may in an expedited
proceeding in the superior court in the county in which the private
work of improvement is located, seek a judicial determination of
liability for the amount due.
(b) The expedited proceeding shall be set for hearing or trial at
the earliest possible date in order that it shall be quickly heard
and determined, and shall take precedence over all other cases except
older matter of the same character and other matters to which
special precedence has been given.
8846. It is against public policy to waive the provisions of this
article by contract.
8848. (a) This article applies to a contract entered into on or
after January 1, 1999.
(b) This article does not apply to a retention withheld by a
lender pursuant to a construction loan agreement.