Arizona Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Completion for Remodelers
How long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Arizona, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.
Not legal advice. General information from each state's lien statute, checked Oct 29, 2026, for a contractor hired directly by the owner of an existing home. Dates are calendar arithmetic; some states move a deadline that lands on a weekend or holiday and some don't, and a recorded notice of completion or commencement can change the clock. Before you rely on a date, check with a construction attorney in your state.
The rule in Arizona
120 days after completion
Record within 120 days of completion, or 60 days after a recorded completion notice. Completion means 30 days past final inspection, a 60-day stoppage, or last delivery without a permit.
6 months after recording
The lien expires 6 months after recording unless you sue and record a notice of pending action within that time.
Notice within 20 days
Serve the preliminary 20-day notice on the homeowner within 20 days after you first supply labor or materials. Only wage laborers are exempt, so serve it.
Check first
You cannot lien a homeowner's own home without a written contract signed directly with them. With that contract, you keep your lien rights. If the work needs a state contractor license and you lacked one, you can't sue to collect.
Source: A.R.S. 33-992.01, 33-993, 33-998, 33-1002 (Official azleg.gov ARS pages, current version as of Oct 2026)
“within one hundred twenty days after completion of a building, structure or improvement”
Three last days of work, worked
| Last work | Record by | Sue by |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2026 | Jul 11, 2026 | Jan 11, 2027 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | May 28, 2027 |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Mar 20, 2027 | Sep 20, 2027 |
Suit dates assume you record the lien on its last day; record earlier and a suit deadline that runs from recording comes earlier. Dates are calendar arithmetic and aren't moved off weekends or holidays.
Also check
- If the work needs a state contractor license and you lacked one, you can't sue to collect.
Arizona lien questions
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Arizona?
Record within 120 days of completion, or 60 days after a recorded completion notice. Completion means 30 days past final inspection, a 60-day stoppage, or last delivery without a permit.
How long does a mechanics lien last in Arizona?
The lien expires 6 months after recording unless you sue and record a notice of pending action within that time.
Does a contractor need to send a notice before filing a lien in Arizona?
Serve the preliminary 20-day notice on the homeowner within 20 days after you first supply labor or materials. Only wage laborers are exempt, so serve it.
Compare other states
How we checked
We read each state's mechanics lien statute on the legislature's site, for a contractor hired directly by the homeowner on an existing home. Two independent research passes covered all 50 states and DC, and a third reviewer checked the result. Where a state's own site would not load, the row names the copy we read. Last checked .
This guide explains the general rule. It is not legal advice.