Kentucky Mechanic Lien Law: Complete Guide
Your Complete Guide to Mechanic Lien & Materialman's Mechanic Lien Rights Under K.R.S. §376.010 et seq. — Private Works, Public Projects & Owner-Occupied Dwellings
Kentucky mechanic lien deadline table with toggles for project type and claimant type.
Kentucky Preliminary Notice & Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Select your project type and role to see the deadlines that apply to you.
Prime Contractor — In privity with the property owner
Record the Statement of Lien with the county clerk within 6 months after last furnishing labor or materials.
Serve a copy of the Statement of Lien on the owner within 7 days after filing, by personal service or certified mail.
Commence an action to enforce the lien within 12 months after the Statement of Lien is filed.
Preliminary Notice
Mechanic Lien
Record the Statement of Lien with the county clerk within 6 months after last furnishing labor or materials.
Serve a copy of the Statement of Lien on the owner within 7 days after filing, by personal service or certified mail.
Enforcement
Commence an action to enforce the lien within 12 months after the Statement of Lien is filed.
Kentucky Mechanic Lien Law Overview
Kentucky construction mechanic lien rights are governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes (K.R.S.) §376.010 et seq. under Title XXXI (Debtor-Creditor). This statutory framework provides both Mechanic's Lien and Materialman's Mechanic Lien rights to contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, engineers, land surveyors, and other persons who furnish labor or materials for the improvement of real property in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Kentucky mechanic lien law features a tiered notice system based on claimant type, project type, and claim amount. Contractors, engineers, and land surveyors who contract directly with the owner are not required to serve any preliminary notice, though they may optionally file a Notice of Intent to preserve priority against subsequent mortgages and purchasers. Subcontractors and material suppliers on commercial projects must serve written Notice to Owner within 75 days (for claims under $1,000) or 120 days (for claims $1,000 or more) after last furnishing labor or materials.
Special rules apply to owner-occupied single or dual family dwellings: the Notice to Owner must be served within 75 days of last furnishing regardless of claim amount, and the mechanic lien is not available to the extent the owner has previously paid the contractor. These protections reflect Kentucky's policy of balancing mechanic lien rights with homeowner interests.
Kentucky also provides unique public works mechanic lien procedures under K.R.S. §376.210 et seq., allowing subcontractors and material suppliers to mechanic lien funds due the contractor from the public authority. National Lien & Bond provides authoritative guidance on every aspect of Kentucky construction mechanic lien compliance.
Topics on This Page
Kentucky Mechanic Lien Law: Key Topics
Navigate the critical compliance areas for Kentucky construction mechanic lien law.
Notice Requirements
Statutory notice obligations including Notice to Owner for commercial projects, owner-occupied dwelling requirements, and optional Notice of Intent under Kentucky law
Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Mechanic Lien Statement filing requirements, 6-month deadline after last furnishing, 7-day owner notification, and eligible claimants
Mechanic Lien Enforcement Deadlines
12-month suit deadline, public works mechanic lien enforcement, contractor protest procedures, and statutory requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What statute governs mechanic liens in Kentucky?
Mechanic liens and materialman's mechanic liens on private construction projects in Kentucky are governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes (K.R.S.) §376.010 et seq. under Title XXXI (Debtor-Creditor). Public works mechanic lien procedures are governed by K.R.S. §376.210 et seq.
Is a preliminary notice required to file a mechanic lien in Kentucky?
Contractors in privity with the owner are not required to serve any preliminary notice. Subcontractors on commercial projects must serve Notice to Owner within 75 days (claims under $1,000) or 120 days (claims $1,000+) after last furnishing. On owner-occupied dwellings, notice must be served within 75 days regardless of amount under K.R.S. §376.080.
What is the deadline to file a mechanic lien in Kentucky?
All claimants must file a Mechanic Lien Statement in the County Clerk's office within 6 months after ceasing to furnish labor or materials. A copy must be mailed to the owner within 7 days of filing. K.R.S. §376.010.
How does Kentucky mechanic lien law differ from other states?
Kentucky is notable for several features: tiered Notice to Owner deadlines based on claim amount ($1,000 threshold), special protections for owner-occupied single/dual family dwellings limiting mechanic liens to unpaid amounts, an optional Notice of Intent for priority preservation, and a unique public works mechanic lien on funds mechanism rather than traditional bond claims.
What are the notice requirements for Kentucky public works mechanic liens?
The Statement of Intent is optional but provides priority from the date of filing. The Mechanic Lien Statement must be filed within 60 days after the last day of the month in which labor or materials were supplied, or by the date of substantial completion, whichever is later, and must be perfected by filing with the public authority.
What is the deadline to file suit to enforce a Kentucky construction mechanic lien?
On private works, suit must be filed within 12 months after the Mechanic Lien Statement was filed. On public works, suit must be filed within 30 days of a contractor's protest, or within 6 months if the contractor does not protest and does not pay.