District of Columbia Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Completion for Remodelers
How long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in District of Columbia, 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 District of Columbia
90 days after completion
Record a notice of intent to lien during the job or within 90 days after completion or termination, whichever is first. Mail the homeowner a copy within 5 business days.
180 days after recording
Sue within 180 days after recording the notice of intent. Record notice of the lawsuit within 10 days of suing.
No notice needed
None. You owe the homeowner no notice before or during the job.
Check first
If you worked under a home improvement contract, include a copy of it with your notice of intent.
Source: D.C. Code 40-301.02, 40-303.13 (Official DC Council Code site, current text (last amended D.C. Law 23-269, 2021))
“within 90 days after the earlier of the completion or termination of the project”
Three last days of work, worked
| Last work | Record by | Sue by |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2026 | Jun 11, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | Apr 27, 2027 |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Feb 18, 2027 | Aug 17, 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.
District of Columbia lien questions
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in District of Columbia?
Record a notice of intent to lien during the job or within 90 days after completion or termination, whichever is first. Mail the homeowner a copy within 5 business days.
How long does a mechanics lien last in District of Columbia?
Sue within 180 days after recording the notice of intent. Record notice of the lawsuit within 10 days of suing.
Does a contractor need to send a notice before filing a lien in District of Columbia?
None. You owe the homeowner no notice before or during the job.
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.