Oregon Mechanics Lien Deadline Calculator
Free Oregon mechanics lien deadline calculator — enter your project dates and get your exact Notice of Right to Lien, lien filing, and enforcement deadlines under Oregon lien law (ORS Chapter 87). No sign-up required.
Unlicensed contractors cannot enforce a mechanics lien in Oregon. — Verify CCB license →
Step 1 of 4
What type of project is it?
The project type determines which notice rules apply.
Step 2 of 4
What is your role on the project?
Your role determines whether you need to send a preliminary notice.
Step 3 of 4
Who hired you?
This determines whether you have a direct contract with the property owner.
Step 4 of 4
When did you work on the project?
Use your best estimate if unsure — these dates determine your deadlines.
Your deadlines
days
days
For guidance only. Deadlines may vary. Consult a licensed Oregon construction attorney before taking legal action.
Understanding Oregon lien deadlines
Oregon mechanics lien law — known in statute as a construction lien under ORS Chapter 87 — gives contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers a powerful legal tool to secure payment. But the protection is only as good as your compliance with the deadlines. Miss the 75-day window to file a construction lien in Oregon and your rights are permanently gone. Skip the 8-day Notice of Right to Lien on a residential project and you lose coverage for all work performed before the notice. File the lien but ignore the 120-day enforcement deadline and the lien expires automatically — regardless of how much you're owed. For the full legal background on notices, filing procedures, and lien releases, see our Oregon mechanics lien guide →
Notice of Right to Lien — subcontractors & suppliers on residential projects
Under Oregon lien law (ORS 87.183), subcontractors and material suppliers who have no direct contract with the property owner must serve a Notice of Right to Lien within 8 days of first providing labor or materials on a residential project. This notice informs the property owner that a party they may not have hired directly has lien rights against their property.
Missing the 8-day deadline does not eliminate your lien rights entirely — but your Oregon construction lien will only cover work performed after the notice was eventually served. Work provided in those first 8+ days is excluded from the lien claim. Serve the notice as soon as possible even if you've already missed the window. Prime contractors with a direct contract with the property owner are exempt from this requirement.
Lien filing deadline — all claimants, residential and commercial
The 75-day deadline is the most critical in Oregon mechanics lien law. Under ORS 87.035, any contractor, subcontractor, or supplier must file their construction lien claim with the county clerk in the county where the property is located within 75 days of the last date labor or materials were provided. This deadline applies to both residential and commercial projects.
A lien filed on day 76 is completely unenforceable — there are no exceptions and no extensions. When filing, use a proper Oregon construction lien form that includes your name and address, the property owner's name, a description of the work or materials, the amount claimed, and the property description. County filing fees are typically $15–$30 per page. Oregon does not provide a single official state form — many contractors use an Oregon construction attorney or a lien service to prepare the document correctly.
Enforcement lawsuit deadline — after the lien is filed
Filing the lien with the county recorder is not enough. Under ORS 87.055, you must also file a lawsuit to enforce the mechanics lien within 120 days of the lien filing date — not from your last day of work. If no lawsuit is filed within this window, the lien expires automatically and becomes unenforceable, regardless of how much you are owed.
In practice, most Oregon lien disputes are resolved through negotiation after the lien is filed and before a lawsuit is necessary. The filed lien clouds the property title, which motivates property owners and general contractors to resolve payment disputes quickly. Once paid, you must file a release of lien — also called a lien release or lien waiver — with the same county clerk where the original lien was recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: March 2026. General information only — not legal advice. Consult a licensed Oregon attorney before taking legal action.
Key Deadlines — Oregon
- 8 days Notice of Right to Lien — from first furnishing (subs & suppliers, residential)
- 75 days File lien with county clerk — from last furnishing
- 120 days File lawsuit to enforce — from lien filing date
Verify Your CCB License
An unlicensed contractor cannot enforce a mechanics lien in Oregon. Verify your license is active before starting work.
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