Preliminary notice in Inyo County, California

If you furnish labor or materials on a construction project in Inyo County, a preliminary notice is what protects your right to get paid. The rules are set by California state law — the same across every county — but where you ultimately record a mechanics lien is local to Inyo County. Here’s what subcontractors and suppliers in the county need to know.

What is a preliminary notice?

A preliminary noticeis a written notice that preserves your right to record a mechanics lien if you aren’t paid. California requires almost every subcontractor, supplier, and equipment lessor to serve one (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8200–8216). Without it, you generally can’t enforce a lien — even for a valid debt.

The 20-day deadline applies in Inyo County

You must serve the notice within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials to the project (Cal. Civ. Code § 8204). Serve it late and it only protects work from the 20 days before service. Use the preliminary notice deadline calculator to find your exact date.

Who you serve

Serve the owner or reputed owner, the direct (general) contractor, and the construction lender if there is one (Cal. Civ. Code § 8200). The accepted methods are certified or registered mail with return receipt, or personal delivery — see how to serve a preliminary notice.

Construction in Inyo County

Inyo County is unusual for lien purposes: the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power owns much of the developable land around Bishop, Big Pine, and Lone Pine, and federal agencies hold most of the rest. Confirming who actually owns the fee — often a public entity — matters more here than almost anywhere else in California.

Preliminary notice and mechanics lien rules apply to private projects throughout the county, including Bishop, Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine, Furnace Creek, and Tecopa. To confirm an owner or parcel before you serve, the Inyo County Assessor is a useful starting point.

Recording a mechanics lien in Inyo County

If you go on to record a mechanics lien, it must be recorded at the Inyo County Clerk-Recorder — the office that records liens and deeds for property in the county. A lien always gets recorded in the county where the property sits, so a Inyo County project means recording with the Inyo County recorder.

Your lien deadline is 90 days from completion, or as little as 30 days for subcontractors (60 for the direct contractor) if a Notice of Completion is recorded (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8412, 8414). See the mechanics lien deadline guide for the full timeline.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. California lien and notice deadlines are strict and fact-specific — “completion” alone can be triggered by actual completion, the owner’s occupancy or use, or a 60-day cessation of labor. Notice Harbor is not a law firm. Confirm any deadline that matters to your claim with a licensed California construction attorney.