CALIFORNIA PRELIMINARY NOTICE

(20-Day Preliminary Notice - Private Works)

Pursuant to California Civil Code Sections 8200-8216

IMPORTANT STATUTORY NOTICE

THIS IS NOT A LIEN. This is a notice required by law to be given by persons who furnish labor, services, equipment, or materials for the work of improvement described. Even if amounts due are paid in full, property owners or other interested parties may receive this notice because it is required that this notice be given to property owners, direct contractors, and lenders for all projects exceeding certain thresholds.

NOTICE DATE AND TIMING

Date of This Notice: _________________________________

Date Claimant First Furnished Labor/Materials: _________________________________

20-Day Deadline: _________________________________
(Must be within 20 days of first furnishing)

☐ This notice is being sent within 20 days of first furnishing
☐ This notice is being sent late (lien rights limited to work within 20 days prior to notice and thereafter)

SECTION 1: NOTICE RECIPIENTS

To Property Owner or Reputed Owner:

Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: CA ZIP: _________

To Direct Contractor or Reputed Direct Contractor:

Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: CA ZIP: _________

To Construction Lender or Reputed Construction Lender (if any):

Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: CA ZIP: _________

SECTION 2: PROPERTY INFORMATION

Property Street Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ County: _________________ ZIP: _________

Legal Description of Property (or Assessor's Parcel Number):
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

SECTION 3: CLAIMANT INFORMATION

Claimant Name: _________________________________

Claimant Business Name (if different): _________________________________

Claimant Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

Contractor's State License Board (CSLB) License No.: _________________________________

Claimant Classification:
☐ Subcontractor
☐ Material Supplier
☐ Equipment Rental Company
☐ Sub-subcontractor
☐ Design Professional
☐ Other: _________________________________

SECTION 4: CONTRACTING PARTY INFORMATION

Name of Person or Entity Who Hired Claimant:
_________________________________

Relationship to Project:
☐ Direct Contractor (General Contractor)
☐ Subcontractor
☐ Owner/Reputed Owner
☐ Other: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

SECTION 5: DESCRIPTION OF LABOR, SERVICES, EQUIPMENT, OR MATERIALS

General Statement of Work to be Provided:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

Estimated Price of Work/Materials: $__________________

SECTION 6: STATUTORY LANGUAGE (REQUIRED)

NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER

If bills are not paid in full for the labor, services, equipment, or materials furnished or to be furnished, a mechanic's lien leading to the loss, through court foreclosure proceedings, of all or part of your property being improved may be placed against the property even though you have paid your contractor in full. You may wish to protect yourself against this consequence by (1) requiring your contractor to furnish a signed release by the person or firm giving you this notice before making payment to your contractor, or (2) any other method or device that is appropriate under the circumstances.

SECTION 7: WHO MUST GIVE THIS NOTICE

Under California Civil Code § 8200:

The following persons must give preliminary notice:
☐ Subcontractors
☐ Material suppliers
☐ Equipment rental companies
☐ Design professionals
☐ Any claimant who does NOT have a direct contract with the property owner

Persons EXEMPT from giving preliminary notice:
☐ Laborers (persons performing actual labor for wages)
☐ Persons with a direct contractual relationship with the owner (only required to give notice to construction lender, if any)

SECTION 8: SIGNATURE AND VERIFICATION

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

Title: _________________________________

SECTION 9: PROOF OF SERVICE

Service Information

California Civil Code § 8100 et seq. provides approved methods of service.

This notice was served on the following parties:

Owner/Reputed Owner:

Method of Service:
☐ Certified mail with return receipt requested
☐ Registered mail
☐ First-class mail with certificate of mailing
☐ Personal delivery (with proof of delivery)
☐ Overnight delivery by express service carrier

Date Mailed/Delivered: _________________________________
Tracking/Certificate Number: _________________________________

Direct Contractor/Reputed Direct Contractor:

Method of Service:
☐ Certified mail with return receipt requested
☐ Registered mail
☐ First-class mail with certificate of mailing
☐ Personal delivery (with proof of delivery)
☐ Overnight delivery by express service carrier

Date Mailed/Delivered: _________________________________
Tracking/Certificate Number: _________________________________

Construction Lender/Reputed Construction Lender:

Method of Service:
☐ Certified mail with return receipt requested
☐ Registered mail
☐ First-class mail with certificate of mailing
☐ Personal delivery (with proof of delivery)
☐ Overnight delivery by express service carrier
☐ N/A - No construction lender on project

Date Mailed/Delivered: _________________________________
Tracking/Certificate Number: _________________________________

Certificate of Service

I, the undersigned, certify under penalty of perjury that I served the foregoing Preliminary Notice on the parties identified above by the methods indicated on the dates specified.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

CALIFORNIA PRELIMINARY NOTICE - LEGAL REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

DEADLINE TO SEND NOTICE

• 20 days after claimant first furnishes labor, services, equipment, or materials to the project
• Preliminary notice may be given at any time, but lien rights are limited if notice is late

CONSEQUENCES OF LATE OR NO NOTICE

• If notice is NOT given within 20 days: Claimant may only claim a lien for work performed within 20 days prior to service of the notice and any time thereafter
• Without any preliminary notice: NO lien rights, stop payment notice rights, or payment bond rights

REQUIRED RECIPIENTS

1. Owner or reputed owner
2. Direct contractor or reputed direct contractor (to whom claimant provides work)
3. Construction lender or reputed construction lender (if any)

APPROVED SERVICE METHODS (Cal. Civ. Code § 8110)

• Personal delivery
• Mail (certified, registered, first-class with certificate of mailing, or express mail)
• Service is complete when deposited in mail or with carrier

ADDITIONAL DEADLINES TO REMEMBER

INFORMATION TO OBTAIN

Claimants can obtain preliminary notice information (owner, contractor, lender) from:
- The building permit
- Construction Lender's Notice of Responsibility (if recorded)
- County Recorder's Office
- Request for Information under Civil Code § 8210

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS

This form is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. California mechanics lien law is complex and strictly enforced. Consult with a California-licensed attorney to ensure compliance with all statutory requirements.

VERIFICATION: Ensure all information is accurate. False statements may result in liability and loss of lien rights.

California Preliminary Notice Template - Version 2026.01
Based on California Civil Code §§ 8200-8216 (Private Works)