LA · Mechanics Lien Law
Louisiana Mechanics Lien Law: Deadlines, Notices & Filing Guide
Louisiana mechanics lien deadlines under La. R.S. 9:4822 depend on whether a Notice of Contract was filed, while public works bond claims fall under La. R.S. 38:2242. Notice obligations for sub-tier suppliers run on a rolling monthly basis tied to the 75-day rule.
Louisiana mechanics lien deadlines at a glance
Sub-tier suppliers in Louisiana must serve a Notice of Nonpayment under the state's 75-day rule, measured from the end of each month in which labor or materials were furnished and remain unpaid. Because this notice must be repeated on a rolling monthly basis, claimants working over several months need to track and serve notice for each month individually rather than filing one notice at the project's end.
When no Notice of Contract has been filed, a Louisiana lien claimant generally has six months after substantial completion to record, under La. R.S. 9:4822, though the window is 60 days from substantial completion if a Notice of Contract was filed, and a Notice of Termination can shorten the deadline to as little as 30 to 60 days from filing. Because the applicable deadline shifts depending on what documents the owner or contractor has filed, claimants should check the public record before assuming any single timeframe applies.
A lawsuit to foreclose a recorded Louisiana mechanics lien must be commenced within one year of recording.
On Louisiana public works, a bond claimant must file a sworn statement of claim within 45 days of the recordation of the Notice of Acceptance or of the contractor's default. Because public property cannot be liened directly, the payment bond is the exclusive avenue for unpaid claimants on these projects.
Primary statute
La. R.S. 9:4822 · La. R.S. 38:2242
Who can file a mechanics lien in Louisiana?
Louisiana lien rights are available to contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, and, where the statute allows, design professionals who furnished labor, materials, or services to the project.
Overview of Louisiana lien practice
Louisiana's lien deadlines are more variable than most states, since the recording window under La. R.S. 9:4822 depends on whether a Notice of Contract has been filed and whether a Notice of Termination has been recorded, ranging anywhere from 30 days to roughly six or seven months from substantial completion. That variability makes checking the public record for these filings an essential first step before calculating any deadline. Sub-tier suppliers face an additional, ongoing obligation under Louisiana's 75-day rule, which requires a Notice of Nonpayment for each month in which labor or materials were furnished and remain unpaid, effectively creating a rolling notice requirement across a multi-month project rather than a single deadline. Once a lien is recorded, claimants have one year to commence foreclosure. Public works claimants, unable to lien government property, must instead file a sworn statement of claim within 45 days of the Notice of Acceptance or the contractor's default. Given this complexity, Louisiana claimants benefit from disciplined month-by-month recordkeeping and close attention to what has been filed against the project.
Common pitfalls on Louisiana projects
Missing a monthly Notice of Nonpayment
Sub-tier suppliers must serve notice for each month labor or materials were furnished and unpaid; skipping any month can jeopardize that month's lien rights.
Miscalculating the recording deadline
The lien deadline shifts based on whether a Notice of Contract or Notice of Termination was filed, so claimants must check the public record before assuming a six-month window.
Missing the 45-day public bond claim window
Public works claimants have only 45 days from the Notice of Acceptance or contractor default to file a sworn statement of claim.
Louisiana mechanics lien FAQs
When must a mechanics lien be recorded in Louisiana?
Generally within 6 to 7 months of substantial completion if no Notice of Contract was filed, 60 days from substantial completion if one was filed, or 30 to 60 days from filing if a Notice of Termination was recorded.
Is preliminary notice required in Louisiana?
Sub-tier suppliers must serve a Notice of Nonpayment under the 75-day rule for each month in which labor or materials were furnished and remain unpaid.
How long do I have to enforce a lien in Louisiana?
A foreclosure lawsuit must be commenced within one year of recording the lien.
What about Louisiana public projects?
A bond claimant must file a sworn statement of claim within 45 days of the recordation of the Notice of Acceptance or of the contractor's default.
Filing a Louisiana mechanics lien or bond claim?
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This page is general information and not legal advice. Statutes change — verify against the official text linked above.