Minnesota Mechanic Lien Law: Complete Guide
Your Complete Guide to Mechanic Lien Rights Under Minnesota Statutes Annotated M.S.A. §514.01 — Private Works, Pre-Lien Notices & Public Bond Claims
Minnesota mechanic lien deadline table with toggles for project type and claimant type.
Minnesota 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 residential projects of one to four family dwellings, the prime contractor must include the statutory Pre-Lien Notice in the written contract, or deliver it to the owner within 10 days after the contract is agreed upon.
Failure to provide the Pre-Lien Notice on a covered residential project defeats the prime's mechanic lien rights against the owner.
Not required on commercial projects.
Record the Statement of Lien Claim with the county recorder within 120 days after the last date of furnishing labor or materials, and serve a copy on the owner by personal service or certified mail within the same 120-day window.
Commence a suit to enforce the mechanic lien within 1 year after the last date of furnishing labor or materials.
Preliminary Notice
On residential projects of one to four family dwellings, the prime contractor must include the statutory Pre-Lien Notice in the written contract, or deliver it to the owner within 10 days after the contract is agreed upon.
Failure to provide the Pre-Lien Notice on a covered residential project defeats the prime's mechanic lien rights against the owner.
Not required on commercial projects.
Mechanic Lien
Record the Statement of Lien Claim with the county recorder within 120 days after the last date of furnishing labor or materials, and serve a copy on the owner by personal service or certified mail within the same 120-day window.
Enforcement
Commence a suit to enforce the mechanic lien within 1 year after the last date of furnishing labor or materials.
Minnesota private project deadlines
Prime Contractor
Preliminary Notice: On residential projects of one to four family dwellings, the prime contractor must include the statutory Pre-Lien Notice in the written contract, or deliver it to the owner within 10 days after the contract is agreed upon. Failure to provide the Pre-Lien Notice on a covered residential project defeats the prime's mechanic lien rights against the owner. Not required on commercial projects.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Statement of Lien Claim with the county recorder within 120 days after the last date of furnishing labor or materials, and serve a copy on the owner by personal service or certified mail within the same 120-day window.
Enforcement: Commence a suit to enforce the mechanic lien within 1 year after the last date of furnishing labor or materials.
Subcontractors & Suppliers
Preliminary Notice: On residential projects of one to four family dwellings, serve a Pre-Lien Notice on the owner within 45 days after first furnishing labor or materials. Failure to timely serve the Pre-Lien Notice extinguishes mechanic lien rights for the labor or materials furnished. Best practice is to serve the Pre-Lien Notice at first furnishing, not wait until day 45.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Statement of Lien Claim with the county recorder within 120 days after the last date of furnishing labor or materials, and serve a copy on the owner by personal service or certified mail within the same 120-day window.
Enforcement: Commence a suit to enforce the mechanic lien within 1 year after the last date of furnishing labor or materials.
Remote Claimants
Preliminary Notice: On residential projects of one to four family dwellings, serve a Pre-Lien Notice on the owner within 45 days after first furnishing labor or materials. Failure to timely serve the Pre-Lien Notice extinguishes mechanic lien rights for the labor or materials furnished. Best practice is to serve the Pre-Lien Notice at first furnishing, not wait until day 45.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Statement of Lien Claim with the county recorder within 120 days after the last date of furnishing labor or materials, and serve a copy on the owner by personal service or certified mail within the same 120-day window.
Enforcement: Commence a suit to enforce the mechanic lien within 1 year after the last date of furnishing labor or materials.
Minnesota public works deadlines
Prime Contractor
Preliminary Notice: Not applicable. The prime contractor is the principal on the payment bond and pursues payment through contract remedies, not a bond claim.
Bond Claim: Not applicable. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in Minnesota. Prime contractors pursue payment through contract remedies.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Contract remedies against the public owner, subject to any applicable notice-of-claim and limitations periods.
Subcontractors & Suppliers
Preliminary Notice: Serve a written notice of claim on the prime contractor and surety within 120 days after the last date of furnishing labor or materials. No pre-work preliminary notice is required on public projects.
Bond Claim: Not applicable. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in Minnesota. Payment rights run through the payment bond under the Minnesota Public Contractors' Performance and Payment Bond Act.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Commence a suit on the payment bond within 1 year after completion, acceptance, or final settlement of the prime contract.
Remote Claimants
Preliminary Notice: Serve a written notice of claim on the prime contractor and surety within 120 days after the last date of furnishing labor or materials. No pre-work preliminary notice is required on public projects.
Bond Claim: Not applicable. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in Minnesota. Payment rights run through the payment bond under the Minnesota Public Contractors' Performance and Payment Bond Act.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Commence a suit on the payment bond within 1 year after completion, acceptance, or final settlement of the prime contract.
Minnesota Mechanic Lien Law Overview
Last updated April 2026 · Reviewed by Thomas Emalfarb, Esq.
Minnesota construction mechanic lien rights are governed by Minnesota Statutes Annotated M.S.A. §514.01 et seq. This statutory framework protects the payment rights of general contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, and material suppliers who furnish labor, services, or materials for the improvement of real property in the State of Minnesota.
A key feature of Minnesota mechanic lien law is the distinction between contractors with written contracts and those without. For written contracts, the contract itself must include a statutory notice prescribed by M.S.A. §514.0011(1). Contractors without a written contract must provide written notice to the owner within 10 days after the work of improvement is agreed upon under M.S.A. §514.0011(2).
Subcontractors, materialmen, and sub-subcontractors must serve a Pre-Lien Notice (Notice to Owner of Potential Claims) within 45 days of first performance under M.S.A. §514.011(2). This notice must include prescribed statutory wording. Note that the pre-lien notice requirement generally applies to residential projects and commercial projects under 5,000 square feet — legal consultation is recommended to determine applicability on larger commercial projects.
Minnesota also provides payment bond claim procedures for public works projects under M.S.A. §574.26 et seq., requiring performance and payment bonds for the full amount of the contract with limited exceptions.
Topics on This Page
Minnesota Mechanic Lien Law: Key Topics
Navigate the critical compliance areas for Minnesota construction mechanic lien law.
Notice Requirements
Pre-lien notice deadlines, statutory contract notice obligations, and public works bond notice rules under Minnesota law
Mechanic Lien Deadlines
120-day mechanic lien recording deadline, certified mail notice to owner, and filing procedures under M.S.A. §514.01
Mechanic Lien Enforcement Deadlines
1-year suit deadline, public works bond claim enforcement, and litigation timelines under Minnesota statutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What statute governs mechanic liens in Minnesota?
Private works construction mechanic lien rights are governed by Minnesota Statutes Annotated M.S.A. §514.01 et seq. Public works payment bond claims fall under M.S.A. §574.26 et seq.
What preliminary notice must a contractor give in Minnesota?
For written contracts, the contract must include statutory notice per M.S.A. §514.0011(1). Without a written contract, the contractor must give written notice to the owner within 10 days of the agreement under §514.0011(2).
What is the pre-lien notice deadline for subcontractors?
Subcontractors, materialmen, and sub-subcontractors must serve a Pre-Lien Notice within 45 days of first performance under M.S.A. §514.011(2). This generally applies to residential and commercial projects under 5,000 sq ft.
What is the deadline to file a mechanic lien in Minnesota?
All claimants must record a Statement of Mechanic's Lien Claim within 120 days of last performance. Certified mail notice to the owner and the party that ordered the work must also be sent within 120 days.
How long do I have to enforce a Minnesota mechanic lien?
Suit must be filed within 1 year of the claimant's last performance on the project.
Can I file a mechanic lien on a public project in Minnesota?
No. Mechanic liens cannot be filed on public property. Payment rights are secured through payment bond claims under M.S.A. §574.26 et seq., which requires bonds for the full contract amount with limited exceptions.