Louisiana Mechanic Lien Law: Complete Guide
Your Complete Guide to Mechanic Lien Rights Under L.R.S. §9:4801 et seq. — Private Works, Payment Bonds & Public Projects
Louisiana mechanic lien deadline table with toggles for project type and claimant type.
Louisiana 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
On commercial projects with a written contract over $100,000, record a Notice of Contract in the parish mortgage records before work begins.
Failure to timely record the Notice of Contract eliminates the prime contractor's privilege against the property.
On single-family residential projects, furnish the owner a Notice of Mechanic Lien Rights at or before signing the contract.
If a Notice of Contract was timely filed by the prime: file the Statement of Claim within 7 months after substantial completion of the work (or within 60 days after the filing of a Notice of Termination, whichever is earlier).
If no Notice of Contract was filed: within 60 days after substantial completion or abandonment.
Commence an action to enforce the lien within 1 year after the expiration of the period within which the Statement of Claim may be filed under La. R.S. 9:4822.
Preliminary Notice
On commercial projects with a written contract over $100,000, record a Notice of Contract in the parish mortgage records before work begins.
Failure to timely record the Notice of Contract eliminates the prime contractor's privilege against the property.
On single-family residential projects, furnish the owner a Notice of Mechanic Lien Rights at or before signing the contract.
Mechanic Lien
If a Notice of Contract was timely filed by the prime: file the Statement of Claim within 7 months after substantial completion of the work (or within 60 days after the filing of a Notice of Termination, whichever is earlier).
If no Notice of Contract was filed: within 60 days after substantial completion or abandonment.
Enforcement
Commence an action to enforce the lien within 1 year after the expiration of the period within which the Statement of Claim may be filed under La. R.S. 9:4822.
Louisiana Mechanic Lien Law Overview
Louisiana construction mechanic lien rights are governed by Louisiana Revised Statutes (L.R.S.) §9:4801 et seq. This statutory framework provides Mechanic's Lien (called 'privileges' in Louisiana civil law) rights to general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and lessors (equipment rental companies) who furnish labor, equipment, materials, or supplies for the improvement of real property in the State of Louisiana.
Louisiana's mechanic lien system is uniquely complex compared to most states, with different notice requirements, filing deadlines, and procedures depending on the claimant type, whether the prime contract was recorded, and whether the project is commercial or single-family residential. The Notice of Contract for commercial projects over $25,000, the Notice of Mechanic Lien Rights for single-family residential projects, and the Notice of Termination or substantial completion are all critical triggering events.
Key deadlines depend on the Notice of Termination: general contractors must record a Statement of Claim within 60 days, while subcontractors and materialmen have 30 days (if the prime contract was recorded) or 60 days (if not recorded) after the owner files the Notice of Termination or substantial completion. Material suppliers must also comply with a 10-Day Notice of Non-payment requirement.
Louisiana public works projects are governed by Title 38, Ch. 10, Part III, requiring a minimum 50% payment bond. Claimants must file a sworn statement of claim within 45 days (subcontractors/lessors) or 75 days (materialmen to subcontractors) of the Notice of Acceptance or Contractor Default. National Lien & Bond provides authoritative guidance on every aspect of Louisiana construction mechanic lien compliance.
Topics on This Page
Louisiana Mechanic Lien Law: Key Topics
Navigate the critical compliance areas for Louisiana construction mechanic lien law.
Notice Requirements
Notice of Contract for commercial projects, Notice of Mechanic Lien Rights for residential, Request for Notices, Notice of Non-payment, and lessor notice obligations
Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Statement of Claim filing deadlines triggered by Notice of Termination, recorded vs. unrecorded prime contract rules, and service requirements
Mechanic Lien Enforcement Deadlines
1-year suit deadline, public works payment bond claims under Title 38, sworn statement of claim procedures, and enforcement timelines
Frequently Asked Questions
What statute governs mechanic liens in Louisiana?
Mechanic liens (privileges) on private construction projects in Louisiana are governed by Louisiana Revised Statutes (L.R.S.) §9:4801 et seq. Public works bond claims are governed by Title 38, Ch. 10, Part III, requiring a minimum 50% payment bond.
Is a preliminary notice required to file a mechanic lien in Louisiana?
Requirements vary by claimant type: General contractors on commercial projects over $25,000 must record a Notice of Contract before work begins (L.R.S. §9:4811). On residential projects, a Notice of Mechanic Lien Rights must be furnished. Subcontractors should file a Request for Notices. Materialmen must serve a 10-Day Notice of Non-payment. Lessors must serve a Notice of Lease within 10 days of equipment placement.
What is the deadline to file a mechanic lien in Louisiana?
General contractors: 60 days after Notice of Termination. Subcontractors: 30 days (recorded prime contract) or 60 days (unrecorded). Residential materialmen: 70 days. Commercial materialmen/lessors: 30 days (recorded) or 60 days (unrecorded). All deadlines triggered by Notice of Termination or substantial completion.
How does Louisiana mechanic lien law differ from other states?
Louisiana is unique in several ways: deadlines are triggered by the Notice of Termination rather than 'last furnishing,' the filing window depends on whether the prime contract was recorded, general contractors must record a Notice of Contract before work begins on commercial projects over $25,000, and the system distinguishes between residential and commercial materialmen with different deadlines.
What are the notice requirements for Louisiana public works bond claims?
Claimants must serve a preliminary notice to the owner on or before 75 days of the last day of each month that material was delivered. Lessors must provide a Copy of Lease within 10 days of equipment placement. Sworn statements of claim must be filed within 45 days (subcontractors/lessors) or 75 days (materialmen to subcontractors) of the Notice of Acceptance.
What is the deadline to file suit on a Louisiana public works payment bond?
All claimants must file suit within 1 year after the public authority files the Notice of Acceptance or of Contractor Default. Subcontractors and lessors must file a sworn statement of claim within 45 days, and materialmen to subcontractors within 75 days, of the Notice of Acceptance or Contractor Default.