Utah mechanics lien deadlines

Preliminary notice

Filed with the State Construction Registry, counted from the day you commenced providing construction work.

What it counts from. 20 days after first furnishing (commenced work).

Applies to. Original contractor, Subcontractor, Supplier.

Utah Code § 38-1a-501 (1)(a)
Official source · statute text retrieved 2026-09-08

If the date is missed (the statute's own terms). § 38-1a-501(1)(e): "A person who fails to file a preliminary notice as required in this section may not claim a construction lien."

Also stated next to this deadline.

• § 38-1a-501(1)(c): a late preliminary notice may still be filed, but the claimant "may not claim a construction lien for construction work the person provides to the construction project before the date that is five days after the preliminary notice is filed."
• § 38-1a-501(1)(d): a preliminary notice "has no effect if it is filed more than 10 days after the filing of a notice of completion under Section 38-1a-507."
• § 38-1a-501(3)(b): if work is provided under more than one original contract, the notice requirement must be met for each original contract.

Record notice of construction lien (no notice of completion filed)

Recorded with each applicable county recorder, counted from final completion of the original contract.

What it counts from. 180 days after final completion of the original contract.

Applies to. Original contractor, Subcontractor, Supplier (when no date is entered for notice of completion filed and you do not tick "I provided substantial work after the certificate of occupancy or final inspection").

Utah Code § 38-1a-502 (1)(a)(i)
Official source · statute text retrieved 2026-09-08

If the date is missed (the statute's own terms). The statute states the notice must be recorded no later than this date in order to claim a construction lien.

Also stated next to this deadline.

• This clock runs from final completion of the original contract, which is not necessarily the day you last furnished labor or materials.
• If a notice of completion is later filed under § 38-1a-507, the shorter 90-day rule in § 38-1a-502(1)(a)(ii) applies instead.

Record notice of construction lien (notice of completion filed)

Counted from the filing of the notice of completion, and capped by the 180-day outer limit from final completion.

What it counts from. 90 days after notice of completion filed, but no later than 180 days after final completion of the original contract (whichever is earlier).

Applies to. Original contractor, Subcontractor, Supplier (when a date is entered for notice of completion filed and you do not tick "I provided substantial work after the certificate of occupancy or final inspection").

Utah Code § 38-1a-502 (1)(a)(ii)
Official source · statute text retrieved 2026-09-08

If the date is missed (the statute's own terms). The statute states the notice must be recorded no later than this date in order to claim a construction lien.

Also stated next to this deadline.

• The 180-day outer limit applies even when the 90-day count would run longer.

Record notice of construction lien (substantial work after certificate of occupancy)

Counted from final completion of that subcontractor’s own work rather than the original contract.

What it counts from. 180 days after final completion of your own work.

Applies to. Subcontractor (when you tick "I provided substantial work after the certificate of occupancy or final inspection").

Utah Code § 38-1a-502 (1)(b)
Official source · statute text retrieved 2026-09-08

If the date is missed (the statute's own terms). The statute states the notice must be recorded no later than this date in order to claim a construction lien.

Also stated next to this deadline.

• The statute does not define "substantial work" by a dollar or time threshold.

Serve copy of recorded lien on owner

Counted from the day the notice of construction lien was filed.

What it counts from. 30 days after notice of construction lien recorded.

Applies to. Original contractor, Subcontractor, Supplier.

Utah Code § 38-1a-502 (4)(a)
Official source · statute text retrieved 2026-09-08

If the date is missed (the statute's own terms). § 38-1a-502(4)(c): failure "precludes the claimant from an award of costs and attorney fees against the reputed owner or record owner in an action to enforce the construction lien." The statute does not state that the lien itself becomes void.

Also stated next to this deadline.

• § 38-1a-502(4)(b): if the record owner’s current address is not readily available, the last known address from the county assessment rolls may be used.

File action to enforce the lien

Counted from the day the notice of construction lien was filed.

What it counts from. 180 days after notice of construction lien recorded.

Applies to. Original contractor, Subcontractor, Supplier.

Utah Code § 38-1a-701 (2)(a)(ii)
Official source · statute text retrieved 2026-09-08

If the date is missed (the statute's own terms). § 38-1a-701(4)(a): the lien "is automatically and immediately void if an action to enforce the lien is not filed within the time required by this section."

Also stated next to this deadline.

• § 38-1a-701(3)(a)(i): within the same period the claimant must also record a notice of pendency of the action with each applicable county recorder, or the lien is void except as to parties with actual knowledge.
• § 38-1a-701(2)(b): if the owner files for bankruptcy protection before the 180 days expire, the period becomes 90 days after the automatic stay is lifted or expires.

Notice of preconstruction service

Filed with the registry, counted from the day preconstruction service commenced.

What it counts from. 20 days after preconstruction service commenced.

Applies to. Preconstruction service.

Utah Code § 38-1a-401 (1)(a)
Official source · statute text retrieved 2026-09-08

If the date is missed (the statute's own terms). § 38-1a-401(1)(b): "A person that fails to file a timely notice of preconstruction service as required in this section may not claim a valid preconstruction lien."

Record notice of preconstruction lien

Counted from completion of the preconstruction service you were not paid for.

What it counts from. 90 days after preconstruction service completed.

Applies to. Preconstruction service.

Utah Code § 38-1a-402 (1)
Official source · statute text retrieved 2026-09-08

If the date is missed (the statute's own terms). § 38-1a-402(2): "A claimant who fails to submit a notice of preconstruction lien as provided in Subsection (1) may not claim a preconstruction lien."